Family Herbal - Electric Scotland

FAMILY HERBAL. 253
nally against cramps, strains, pains in the limbs,
and weaknesses : but we seldom meet with it fresh
enough, to be fit for use ; and at present, it has
given place to the famous opodeldoc, and to several
other things, which have the same qualities in a
much greater degree.
Panic Panicum.
A very singular and pretty plant of the grass
kind, cultivated in some parts of Europe. The
stalk is very thick and firm, round, jointed, and
a yard high. The leaves are
grassy, but they are
large and broad. The flowers and seeds are con-
tained in a long ear, which is broad and flat ; it is
composed of several smaller ears, arranged
on the
two sides of the stalk ; these spikes are hairy. The
seed is round, and is much like millet, only
smaller.
The seed is the only part used. It is good
against sharp purgings, bloody fluxes, and spitting
of blood.
Pareira Brava. Pareira brava.
A climbing shrub of South America, the
root of which has
lately been introduced into
medicine It grows to twelve or fourteen feet in
height, if there be trees or bushes to support it, else
it lies upon the ground, and is shorter. The stalks
are woody, light, and covered with a rough bark,
which is continually coming off in small flakes. The
leaves are large and broad. The flowers are small,
and of a greenish colour ; and the berries are round,
and when ripe, black. The root is large, woody,
and very long and creeping.