Complete Text (Part 2)

. 47 Betony, Water... 50, 198 "Wood... 42 Bilberry... 652 Bistort, Great. . . 607 Blackberry... 53 Black Pot Herb. . . 312 Blackthorn... 517 Bladderwrack . . . 503 Blessed Thistle . . . 557 Blue Bell... 57 Bog Bean... 58 Borage .. . 60 Bracken... 184 Brooklime .. . 431 Broom... 62 Bryony, Black... 68 "White... 65 Buckthorn. . . 69 Bugle... 510 Bullace .. . 520 Bulrush... 481 Burdock .. . 162 Burnet Saxifrage .. . 430 Butcher's Broom. . . 64 Butterbur ... 119 Buttercup ... 71 Cabbage . . . 74 "Sea... 76 Calamint .. . 343 Camphor . . . 337 Capsicum... 78 Caraway... 81 Carline Thistle... 558 Carraigeen Moss . . . 500 Carrot... 88 Cascara Sagrada .. . 70 Cat Mint... 344 Cat Thyme .. . 565 Cat's Tail... 482 [xx] Celandine, Greater... 92 "Lesser... 90 Celery. ..94 Centaury.. . 96 Chamomile . . . 84 " Bitter... 86 Cherry... 98 Chervil .. . 100 Chestnut, Horse .. . 102 "Sweet... 104 Chickweed .. . 105 Chicory... 542 Christmas Rose . . . 107 Cider... 30 Cinnamon. . . 390 Cinquefoil, Creeping. . . 516 Clary... 492 Cleavers .. . 230 Clover, Meadow ... 110 "Sweet... 112 Clovers .. . 395 Club Moss... 113 Colchicum. . . 483 Coltsfoot ... 116 Comfrey... 120, 595 "Prickly... 122 Coriander .. . 122 Couch Grass . . . 242 Cow... 126 Cowslip ... 124 Crab Apple... 29 Cresses ... 127 Cress, Garden... 128 "Water... 129 Crowfoot... 71 Cuckoo Flower . . . 134 Cuckoo Pint... 33 Cumin... 135 Currants, Red, White, and Black. . . Daffodil... 141 Daisy... 143 Damson.. . 520 Dandelion... 147 Darnel . . . 242 Date... 152 Dill... 155 Dock... 157 "Great Water... 164 137 "Yellow Curled... 163 Dodder .. . 112 Dog's Mercury. . . 332 Dropwort, Water .. . 603 Dulse ... 501 Earthnut . . . 372 Egg... 150 Elder... 164 "Dwarf... 171 Elecampane ... 172 Eryngo .. . 499 Eyebright .. . 175 Fairy rings... 374 Fennel... 179 "Water... 604 Ferns .. . 182 "Female (Bracken) .. . 184 " Hart's-tongue ... 187 "Maidenhair ... 188 "Male... 183 "Polypody... 189 "Royal... 186 " Spleenwort ... 190 "Wall Rue... 191 Feverfew ... 192 Fig... 194 Figwort... 54 Flag, Blue... 199 "Yellow ... 200 " Stinking (Gladdon) ... 201 "Sweet... 201, 480 Flax... 202 "Purging... 204 Fly Agaric . . . 368 Foxglove .. . 205 Fumitory ... 201 Furze... 63 Gage, Green... 521 Garlic ...214 "Poor Man's .. . 222 Ginger . . . 392 Gipsy Wort (Water Hore-hound) . . . [xxi] Good King Henry . . . 227 Gooseberry . . . 223 Goosefoot . . . 227 " Stinking... 229 Goosegrass .. . 230 Goutweed . . . 235 Grapes .. . 236 Grasses ... 241 Ground Ivy. . . 283 Groundsel . . . 243 Hawthorn... 245 Hellebore, Stinking... 109 269 Hemlock... 248 "Water...251 Hemp Agrimony... 19 Henbane . . . 252 Herb, Bennet. . . 47 Hoglouse . . . 564 Honey... 256 Hop... 262 Horehound, Black . . . 268 "White... 267 Horse Radish. . . 269 House Leek . . . 273 Hyssop... 277 "Hedge... 279 Iceland Moss . . . 500 Trish Moss . . . 500 Ivy... 280 "Ground . . . 283 John's Wort, Saint... 287 Juniper... 291 Knapweed, the Lesser . . . 296 Ladies' Mantle... 511 "Smock... 134 Lavender . . . 296 "Sea... 300 Laver... 505 Leek... 220 Lemon... 300 Lentil . . . 305 Lettuce .. . 308 Lettuce, Lamb's .. . 312 "Wild... 307 Lily of the Valley 313 Lily, Water . . . 604 Lime Tree... 316 Linseed .. . 202 Liquorice .. . 318 Lords and Ladies (Arum). . . Lungwort. . . 594 Lupine... 306 Mace... 395 Mace Reed .. . 482 Mallow .. . 322 "Marsh... 323 "Musk... 325 Mandrake . . . 66 Marigold... 327 "Corn... 326 "Marsh... 329 Marjoram.. . 331 Melancholy Thistle . . . 560 Menthol . . . 339 Mercury, Dog's . . . 332 33 "English... 228 Milk Thistle... 556 Mints .. . 333 Mistletoe .. . 345 Monk's Rhubarb .. . 159 Moon Daisy... 146 Moss, Club... 113 "Tceland ... 500 "Trish... 500 Mountain Ash. . . 350 Mugwort.. . 352 Mulberry... 356 Mullein.. . 359 Mum... 581 Mushrooms . . . 362 Mustard .. . 375 "Hedge... 222, 381 Nasturtium... 132 Nettle... 382 "Dead... 387 Night Shade, Deadly. . . 388 Nutmeg... 393 Nuts .. . 602 [xxii] Oak Bark... 16 Oat... 397 Onion. . . 209 Orach.. . 229 Orange .. . 399 Orchids . . . 404 Orpine (Live Long) . . . 276 Ox eye Daisy... 146 Pansy, Wild... 589 Parsley... 407 "Fool's... 412 Parsnip... 413 "Water ...414 Pea...416 Peach... 418 Pear...419 Pellitory of Spain... 424 "of Wall... 423 Pennyroyal .. . 334 Peppermint . . . 338 Pepper, Water... 606 Periwinkle, Greater .. . 427 "Lesser... 428 Perry... 422 Pilewort...90 Pimento, Allspice .. . 386 Pimpernel .. . 428 Pine ...576 Pink... 432 Plantain, Greater... 433 "Ribwort... 435 "Water... 435 Plum, Common. . . 520 "Wild... 520 Polypody Fern... 190 Poppy, Scarlet... 437 "Welsh... 441 "White... 438 Potato... 441 Primrose .. . 447 "Evening... 449 Primula... 449 Prune... 522 Prunella... 509 Psyllium Seeds . . . 436 Puff Ball . . . 365 Pulsatilla ... 20 Quince... 452 Radish... 455 "Horse... 269 Ragwort... 457 Ransoms .. . 221 Raspberry... 459 Reed, Sweet Scented . . . 480 Rest Harrow .. . 320 Rhubarb, Garden... 159 Rice... 461 Rosemary .. . 470 "Wild. ..474 Roses .. . 463 "Rock... 469 Rue... 475 Rushes . . . 479 Saffron... 485 "Meadow .. . 483 Sage... 489 "Meadow ... 492 Sago... 155 Saint John's Wort . . . 287 Salep ... 405 Saliva... 178 Samphire . . . 497 Sanicle ... 508 Saucealone .. . 222 Savin... 493 Schalot ... 222 Scurvy Grass ... 133, 495 Sea Holly... 498 "Tang... 502 "Water... 508 "Weeds... 496 Selfheal . . . 508 Service Tree... 352 Shepherd's Purse... 511 Silverweed...514 Skullcap . . . 516 "the Lesser... 517 Sloe ...517 Snails... 409 Soapwort . . . 522 Solomon's Seal .. . 524 Sorrel... 160 "Wood... 161 Southernwood . . . 526 Sowbread .. . 450 Sow Thistle... 559 Spearmint... 342 Speedwell .. . 527 Spinach. . . 529 "Sea... 506 Spindle Tree . . . 530 Spurge Wood .. . 532 "Petty... 602 Stitchwort.. . 535 Stonecrop (House Leek)... Strawberry . . . 538 "Wild... 537 Succory... 541 Sundew . . . 543 Sunflower .. . 546 Tamarind... 550 Tansy ...552 Tar... 580 Tarragon... 554 Teasel, Fuller's... 559 276 "Wild... 559 Thistles .. . 555 Thyme... 560 Thymol . . . 563 Toadflax .. . 565 Toadstool .. . 372 Tomato... 567 Tormentil .. . 573 Truffle ...371 Turnip... 574 Turpentine . . . 576 Tutsan... 290 Valerian, Red... 585 "Wild... 583 Verbena (Vervain) . . . 586 Verguice ... 29, 238 Vernal grass... 241 Vine .. . 240, 588 Violet, Sweet... 592 "Wild... 589 Viper's Bugloss . . . 594 Wallflower... 595 Walnut... 597 " American... 601 Wartwort.. . 602 Watercress ... 129 Water Dropwort . . . 603 " Figwort... 198 "Horehound . . . 269 " Lily, White . . . 605 "Yellow ... 605 "Pepper . . . 606 Whitethorn. . . 245 Whortleberry . . . 52 Woodruff, Sweet. . . 608 " Squinancy... 609 Wood Sorrel .. . 161, 610 Wormwood .. . 355, 612 Woundwort, Hedge... 615 Yarrow 616 Yew 619 [1] INTRODUCTION. The art of _Simpling _is as old with us as our British hills. It aims at curing common ailments with simple remedies culled from the soil, or got from home resources near at hand. Since the days of the Anglo-Saxons such remedies have been chiefly herbal; insomuch that the word "drug" came originally from their verb drigan, to dry, as applied to medicinal plants. These primitive Simplers were guided in their choice of herbs partly by watching animals who sought them out for self-cure, and partly by discovering for themselves the sensible properties of the plants as revealed by their odour and taste; also by their supposed resemblance to those diseases which nature meant them to heal. John Evelyn relates in his Acetaria (1725) that "one Signor Faquinto, physician to Queen Anne (mother to the beloved martyr, Charles the First), and formerly physician to one of the Popes, observing scurvy and dropsy to be the epidemical and dominant diseases [2] of this nation, went himself into the hundreds of Essex, reputed the most unhealthy county of this island, and used to follow the sheep and cattle on purpose to observe what plants they chiefly fed upon; and of these Simples he composed an excellent electuary of marvellous effects against these same obnoxious infirmities." Also, in like manner, it was noticed by others that "the dog, if out of condition, would seek for certain grasses of an emetic or purgative sort; sheep and cows, when ill, would devour curative plants; an animal suffering from rheumatism would remain as much as it could in the sunshine; and creatures infested by parasites would roll themselves frequently in the dust." Again, William Coles in his Nature's Paradise, or, Art of Simpling (1657), wrote thus: "Though sin and Sathan have plunged mankinde into an ocean of infirmities, jet the mercy of God, which is over all His works, maketh grass to grow upon the mountaines, and Herbes for the use of men; and hath not only stamped upon them a distinct forme, but also given them particular signatures, whereby a man may read even in legible characters the use of them." The present manual of our native Herbal Simples seeks rather to justify their uses on the sound basis of accurate chemical analysis, and precise elementary research. Hitherto medicinal herbs have come down to us from early times as possessing only a traditional value, and as exercising merely empirical effects. Their selection has been commended solely by a shrewd discernment, and by the practice of successive centuries. But to-day a closer analysis in the laboratory, and skilled provings by experts have resolved the several plants into their component parts, and have chemically determined the medicinal nature of these parts, both [3] singly and collectively. So that the study and practice of curative British herbs may now fairly take rank as an exact science, and may command the full confidence of the sick for supplying trustworthy aid and succour in their times of bodily need. Scientific reasons which are self-convincing may be readily adduced for prescribing all our best known native herbal medicines. Among them the Elder, Parsley, Peppermint, and Watercress may be taken as familiar examples of this leading fact. Almost from time immemorial in England a "rob" made from the juice of Elderberries simmered and thickened with sugar, or mulled Elder wine concocted from the fruit, with raisins, sugar, and spices, has been a popular remedy in this country, if taken hot at bedtime, for a recent cold, or for a sore throat. But only of late has chemistry explained that Elderberries furnish "viburnic acid," which induces sweating, and is specially curative of inflammatory bronchial soreness. So likewise Parsley, besides being a favourite pot herb, and a garnish for cold meats, has been long popular in rural districts as a tea for catarrh of the bladder or kidneys; whilst the bruised leaves have been extolled as a poultice for swellings and open sores. At the same time, a saying about the herb has commonly prevailed that it "brings death to men, and salvation to women." Not, however, until recently has it been learnt that the sweet- smelling plant yields what chemists call "apiol," or Parsley- Camphor, which, when given in moderation, exercises a quieting influence on the main sensific centres of life—the head and the spine. Thereby any feverish irritability of the urinary organs inflicted by cold, or other nervous shock, would be subordinately allayed. Thus likewise the Parsley- Camphor (whilst serving, [4] when applied externally, to usefully stimulate indolent wounds) proves especially beneficial for female irregularities of the womb, as was first shown by certain French doctors in 1849. Again, with respect to Peppermint, its cordial water, or its lozenges taken as a confection, have been popular from the days of our grandmothers for the relief of colic in the bowels, or for the stomach-ache of flatulent indigestion. But this practice has obtained simply because the pungent herb was found to diffuse grateful aromatic warmth within the stomach and bowels, whilst promoting the expulsion of wind; whereas we now know that an active principle "menthol" contained in the plant, and which may be extracted from it as a camphoraceous oil, possesses in a marked degree antiseptic and sedative properties which are chemically hostile to putrescence, and preventive of dyspeptic fermentation. Lastly, the Watercress has for many years held credit with the common people for curing scurvy and its allied ailments; while its juices have been further esteemed as of especial use in arresting tubercular consumption of the lungs; and yet it has remained for recent analysis to show that the Watercress is chemically rich in "antiscorbutic salts," which tend to destroy the germs of tubercular disease, and which strike at the root of scurvy generally. These salts and remedial principles are "sulphur," "iodine," "potash," "phosphatic earths," and a particular volatile essential oil known as "sulphocyanide of allyl," which is almost identical with the essential oil of White Mustard. Moreover, many of the chief Herbal Simples indigenous to Great Britain are further entitled for a still stronger reason to the fullest confidence of both doctor [5] and patient. It has been found that when taken experimentally in varying quantities by healthy provers, many single medicines will produce symptoms precisely according with those of definite recognized maladies; and the same herbs, if administered curatively, in doses sufficiently small to avoid producing their toxical effects, will speedily and surely restore the patient to health by dispelling the said maladies. Good instances of such homologous cures are afforded by the common Buttercup, the wild Pansy, and the Sundew of our boggy marshes. It is widely known that the field Buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus), when pulled from the ground, and carried in the palm of the hand, will redden and inflame the skin by the acrimony of its juices; or, if the bruised leaves are applied to any part they will excite a blistering of the outer cuticle, with a discharge of watery fluid from numerous small vesicles, whilst the tissues beneath become red, hot, and swollen; and these combined symptoms precisely represent "shingles,"—a painful skin disease given to arise from a depraved state of the bodily system, and from a faulty supply of nervous force. These shingles appear as a crop of sore angry blisters, which commonly surround the walls of the chest either in part or entirely; and modern medicine teaches that a medicinal tincture of the Buttercup, if taken in small doses, and applied, will promptly and effectively cure the same troublesome ailment; whilst it will further serve to banish a neuralgic or rheumatic stitch occurring in the side from any other cause. And so with respect to the Wild Pansy (Viola tricolor), we read in Hahnemann's commentary on the proved plant: "The Pansy Violet excites certain cutaneous eruptions about the head and face, a hard thick scab being formed, which is cracked here and there, and [6] from which a tenacious yellow matter exudes, and hardens into a substance like gum." This is an accurate picture of the diseased state seen often affecting the scalp of unhealthy children, as milk-crust, or, when aggravated, as a disfiguring eczema, and concerning the same Dr. Hughes of Brighton, in his authoritative modern treatise, says, "I have rarely needed any other medicine than the Viola tricolor for curing milk-crust, which is the plague of children," and "I have given it in the adult for recent impetigo (a similar disease of the skin), with very satisfactory results.” Finally, the Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), which is a common little plant growing on our bogs, and marshy places, is found to act in the same double fashion of cause or cure according to the quantity taken, or administered. Farmers well know that this small herb when devoured by sheep in their pasturage will bring about a violent chronic cough, with waste of substance: whilst the Sundew when given experimentally to cats has been found to stud the surface of their lungs with morbid tubercular matter, though this is a form of disease to which cats are not otherwise liable. In like manner healthy human provers have become hoarse of voice through taking the plant, and troubled with a severe cough, accompanied with the expectoration of abundant yellow mucus, just as in tubercular mischief beginning at the windpipe. Meantime it has been well demonstrated (by Dr. Curie, and others) that at the onset of pulmonary consumption in the human subject a cure may nearly always be brought about, or the symptoms materially improved, by giving the tincture of Sundew throughout several weeks—from four to twenty drops in the twenty-four hours. And it has further become an established fact that the same tincture [7] will serve with remarkable success to allay the troublesome spasms of Whooping Cough in its second stage, if given in small doses, repeated several times a day. From these several examples, therefore, which are easy to be understood, we may fairly conclude that positive remedial actions are equally exercised by other Herbal Simples, both because of their chemical constituents and by reason of their curing in many cases according to the known law of medicinal correspondence. Until of late no such an assured position could be rightly claimed by our native herbs, though pretentions in their favour have been widely popular since early English times. Indeed, Herbal physic has engaged the attention of many