Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1893-03-08
The Use Of Herbs,

lue use OF Herbs,
Except for culinary purposes the
common herbs are but little used in
the modern household, but it would
be we'll to give them the place of
many of the drugs administered to
our little ones. There is no doubt
that so far as possible, the treatmant
Of infant and child ills should con-
sist in regulated food and habits to
suit the child in question. Bat this
is often tedious process, the result
of which thu young and experienced
mother awaits impatiently while long
ing for some alienation for her small
sufferer. To such the knowledge Of
a use Of few of tha herbs on which
our grandmothers placed their reli-
ance would never come amiss. True,
the day has gone By when these
formed the entire materia medica of
these 'home physicians" but the
virtues of these well known plants
are the same cow as then. In this
day OF quack medicines, syrups, bal.
sans, cordiais ETC.. the old plan ia
certainly worth trial, and If its
merits were better known it would
doubtless be more generally adopted.
VALUE OF HONE REMEDIES.
It IS of the greatest Importance TO
call in a good physician at the first
symptoms in the child OF serious
illness, but in the home whaGe thero
are restless little ones liable to INSET
with accident, catch sudden colds,
and be subject TO the thousand and
one ailmeut common to childhood,
the mother will find o few tested
home remedies of iuestimable value.
HIDDEN PoIsoNs.
Most OF the modern nostrums are
narcotics in some form, however
much they are called '.purely vege-
taSle." Purely vegetable they may
be, but 50 is opium, yet certainly it
was never meant for children. To
the tired mother, longing for nights
rest, after her day of housework,
brain work, aud baby tending, it is
perhaps not strange that the temp.
tation which lies in the disguised
narcotic is hard to resist. She thus
secures sleep for her child, at the er-
peDsc of puny, nervous baby, while
she tries to overcome evil by evil, by
a more lavish use of tho drug which
caused the trouble. If these hidden
poisons were once Discarded, careful
study given TO herbs as home rene
dies, and their various medicinal
qualities once thoroughly under
stood, many OF the disorders which
make our little ones peevish burdens
instead of constant Joy would soon
be remedied
TESTED CURES FOR CoIiRoN ILLS.
Use catnip tes instead OF the opium
nostrums, and it will soon prove its
value as q sedative:
For young bsbies troubled With
collie nothing brings up the wind and
soothes the SCREENING child better
than ani,e tea, weak, slightly sweet
ened, and given in small spoonfuls
until relief is OBJ aimed. Do not use
essence of anise or annisette, but the
infusion of the simple herb, which it
is as well to wash in bulk, putting
into strainer and allowing cold wa-
ter to drain through it, then spread
upon paper to dry. :.
Sage is also useful in collie, as a
safeguard against suspected cold,
care being taken as to exposure af
terward. The virtues of sage are
seen, too, in its affects upon a stye,
which will soon disappear aftor
lukewarm bath OF it
SPECIAL VALUE OF PEPPERhENT.
The uses of peppermint are so many
and SO well known that will speak
only of the way in which the power
full oil is used in Michigan, where so
much of it is distilled. TIE essence
is safer and is better in this case to
get it rather than the herb In the
West it is considered a sovereign
remedy, and especially it is esteem
ed as gargle for sore thost; using
in hot water on retiring to break up
a cold; and as n liniment for swollen
tonsils, neuralgia snd even sprains.
One touch of the cork from the oil
bottle from the bridge of the nose
and beneath the nostrils will insure
easy breathing for the night in influ-
enZa.
YARRow, ELDER FLOWERS AND HOPS.
As weak tea yarrow is invalua-
bic in persistent bowl troubles, while
it quenches that intorable thirst
which is SO often present For
weak and ailing child a bath of
strong yarrow, using roots, leaves,
stems and blossoms is very strength
ening.
A warm infusion of elder flowers