Family Herbal - Electric Scotland

FAMILY HERBAL. 9
odd one at the end. There grow some large
and very beautiful ones from the root ; those on
the stalks are smaller. The flowers grow in
little umbels or clusters, at the extremities of
all the branches. They are small and white.
Two seeds follow each flower, and these are
striated, small, and of a spicy taste : the plant
is distinguished at sight from all the others of its
kind, of which there are many, by the slenderness
of its stalks and branches, and the smallness
of the umbels ; and more than all by the peculiar
taste of the seeds, which have a flavour of
mace.
It is proper to be particular, because the plant
is worth knowing, Its root is good for all dis-
eases of the urinary passages, and the seeds are
good in disorders of the stomach and bowels,
and also operate by urine. The quantity of
a scruple given in (holies often proves an im-
mediate cure, and they are a good ingredient in
bitters.
Alkanet. Anchusa.
Alkanet is a rough plant, of no great beauty,
cultivated in France and Germany for the sake of
its root. It grows to a foot and half Tiigh : the
leaves are large, and of a rough irregular surface,
and bluish green colour ; the flowers are
small and purplish ; the root is long, and of a
deep purple. It is kept dried in the shops. It
has the credit of an astringent and vulnerary ;
but it is little used. The best way of giving of
it, is to add half an ounce to a quart of hartshorn
drink it
; gives a good colour, and increases
the virtue