Family Herbal - Electric Scotland

FAMILY HERBAL 22?
arc red. These are the several appearances of thi
little plant, and it is all one in which of them it
is taken. The root is often of a considerable thickness,
and single, but it is more usually divided and
smaller ; it is whitish, and of a disagreeable acrid
taste.
This plant had 'passed unregarded as to any
medicinal use, till Dr. Tennant brought into England
the senekka root, famous in America against
the effects of the bite of the rattle-snake, and found
here to be of service in pleurisies : but when it was
found, that this was the root of a kind of milk-
wort, not very different from our own, we tried
the roots of our own kind, and found them effectual
in the same cases : as to the poisonous bites of a
serpent, they are so uncommon here, that we need
not regard that part of the qualities, but we find it
good in the other disorder, and in all diseases in
which the blood is thick and sizy. The fresh root
is best, but it has not its full virtue except in spring,
when the stalks are just shooting out of the ground,
for this reason it is most proper to take it up at that
time, and dry it for the service of the year. When
fresh, it is best given in infusion : but when dried, it
is kept in powder.
Spear Mint. Mentha vulgaris.
A common plant in our gardens, and of frequent
use in the kitchen. It is two feet high, the stalks are
t'lire, single, upright, firm, and of a pale green.
1 he leaves stand two at a joint ; they are long',
narrow, of a blackish green, serrated at the edges,
>nd sharp-pointed. The flowers are small and purpie
; they stand in long spikes, in a beautiful manner,
whole plant lias a
fragrant
smell, and a pleasant
aromatic taste.