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Show 468 COMMON ASARABACCA. Edin. Take of the leaves of asarabacca, three parts; the leaves of marjoram, flowers of lavender, of each one part : Rub them together to powder. Dub. Take of dried leaves of asarabacca, one ounce ; ——— lavender flowers, two drachms : Powder them, and keep them in a phial well closed. These are agreeable and efficacious errhines, and superior to most of those usually sold under the name of herb snuff. They are often employed with great advantage in cases of obstinate headach, and of ophthalmias resisting other modes of cure. Taken under the form of snuff, to the extent of five or six grains, at bed-time, they will operate the succeeding day as a powerful errhine, inducing frequent sneezing, and likewise a copious discharge from the nose. It is, however, necessary, during their operation, to avoid exposure to cold. SOAP WO iT. SAPONARIA OFFICINALIS. Class X. Decandria. Order Il. Digynia. Essent. Gen. Cuar. Calyx one-leafed, naked: Petals fiye, unguiculate : Capsule oblong, one-celled. Spec. Cuar, Calyx cylindrical: Leaves ovato-lanceolate. Re DESCRIPTION. Tus plant rises a foot in height. nished with three ribs. a pale pink colour. Leaves entire, pointed, fur- Flowers numerous, terminal, large, of HISTORY. Native of England, affects moist situations, and flowers in July and August. A decoction of the root of this plant produces a saponaceous froth, but more so the leaves, insomuch that these have been used by country people asa substitute for soap, and with this advantage, that this quality is not injured by acids. MEDICAL VIRTUE, The great Boerhaave highly extols the use of this plant in jaundice and all obstructions of the liver. Septalius affirms that the decoction cures the venereal disease, and answers better than the sarsaparilla; and_ this opinion has been supported by Stahl, and other eminent physicians. |