The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1888-01-01
LAvENDULA sPIcA-LAvENDE

The common lavender rs a well known
fragrant shrub, a native of the south Of
Europe and north of Africa, which like
rosemary, has been long an inhabitant
of a great many gardens. In deep. dry,
calcareous soil it will grow to the height
of three feet, and form a compact hem
spherical bush. Towering abundantly
every year. The flowers are generally
purple, but there is a variety with white
flowers and Iavendula ldfifoiid, Ehrh,
which is not uncommon in many gar
dens and which has lilac flowers; though
treated by some as a species, it is probably
nothing else and nothing more than an
other variety. The flowers have the
stamens and style included within the
tube of the corolla, the corolla two
Tipped, the upper lip bifid, the lower tri-
fid. The flowers contain a volative oil
which ought to be OF n yellowish color
in its pure state, but very often it has
been adulterated with turpentine and al
cohol. The oil, oil Of lavender. obtained
by distillation Of the flowers, is much
used by painters on porcelain, by cabinet
makers to give an excellent lustre to the
wood, and by artists in preparation OF a
varnish. and in the preparation OF per-
fumes. The flowers and leaves Of the
lavender have an agreeable, aromatic
fragrance and an aromatic bitter taste.
The whole plant consists Of extremely
fragrant, stimulant, tonic, stomachic
and cordial properties, and for that rea-
n. e. in hxru-
terra and headache, while the tincture
is recommended in faintness, Hatulence,
colo, etc. As liniment the oil Of law
ender will be of good service in gouty,
rheumatic swelIings, in palsy, old dislo-
cations, palsy of the tongue, fainting fit,
dizziness and nervousness; while the
distilled water obtained from the flowers
makes an excellent restorative. The
eating Of the candied flowers Of laven-
der, frequently taken, will quiet the
strong beating Of the heart; cure the
yellows, warm the stomach, purify the
kidneys and will be Of great
value in nephritic disorders
and in the beginning OF dropsy,
and every good mistress OF the house
knows by experience that the dried
flowers of lavender il put between linen
pure, and clothes will keep away moths
and other insects.
MARRUBIUM vULoARE-HoREHoUSD
Horehound is frequently in flower in
the autumn months, it is q plant OF our
waysides, and is easily recognized by
its sfour-cornered stem -roundish wrinkled
ovate, crenate, ruxsose, downy leaves Of
whitish gray having a somewhat
woody appearance, calyx teeth-hooked
somewhat above the middle, the flowers
are white, set in whorls at the foOtstalks
of the leaves; these have an ageeable
aromatic smell, but an exceedingly bit
ter taste. The plant contains lemulcent,
tonic, astringent, laxative properties and
is much used in coughs, uterine and
hepatic affections. We have heard it af-
firmed by those experienced in its use
that no better remedy can be had when
properly prepared, for remov ing OBJ
structions of the lungs, relief Of pull
monary complaints, asthma, ETC., and
the cure of obstinate coughs. 1t has
enjoyed ages of repute for its reme-
dial virtues. and it still enjoys cOnsid-
cradle favor with many Of the people.
Many of our ladies, have now completed
the gathering and drying Of valued store
of vegetable simples, in which horehound
will be sure to be found to hold q prom
inent place. Firm faith in its efficacy
for relief in different diseases has not
yet died out. Formerly nearly every
housewife kept her store of herbs; in
stead of resorting to a chemists shop for
relief for every ailment, now the exten-
sive use of chemicals, minerals and pow
erful drugs has displaced the more SIM
pie remedies OF our fathers. Ii may,
however, be doubted whether the change
has been entirely beneficial to the public
health. The increased and increasing
disuse of herb medicines has been no
doubt, brought about by the ignorance or
fraud OF herb gatherers and venders,
and also by the fraudulent preparations
which are puffed and sold as decoctions,
| infusions and extracts from various
herbs, these nostrums being generally
free from any infusion Of the plant
named. This ID VIGOROUSLY the cass
with koeehound; it b rarely that any
one Of the numerous psefArations hes