Family Herbal - Electric Scotland

M% FAMILY HERBAL.
the seeds ; but they otre dried when unripe for
o*ir use.
The fruit, thus gathered and dried in the sun,
fs what we call Jamaica pepper, piamenta, or
allspice. It is an excellent spice: it strengthens
the stomach, and is good against the colic. The
best way to take it is in powder, mixed with a
little sugar. It will prevent vomiting, and sick-
ness after meals, and is one of the best known remedies
for habitual colics.
Guinea Pepper. Capsicum.
A COMMON plant in our gardens, distinguished
by its large scarlet pods. It grows a foot and
a half high. The stalk is angulated, thick, and
green, tolerably erect, and branched. The leaves
stand
irregularly, and
and of a deep green
moderately large
are longish, pretty broad,
colour. The flowers are
and white, with a yellow head
in the middle :
they grow
at the divisions of the
branches. The fruit follows, and is an inch ancj
a half long, an inch thick, and biggest at the base,
whence it grows smaller to the point: the colour
is a fine red, and its surface is so smooth, that it
looks like polished coral : it is a skin containing
a quantity of seeds.
The fruit is the part used. Held in the mouth*
it cures the tooth-ach ; for its heat and acrimony
are greater than in pellitory of Spain, and it fills
the mouth with water. Applied externally, bruised
and mixed with honey and crumbled bread
it is good f^r a quinsy .
Periwinkle. Tinea pcrvinca.
A VERY pretty creeping plant,
wild in som$