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“Notices of Materia Medica, or new medical properties of some American Plants,” Western Minerva or, American Annals of Knowledge and Literature (1820)

from Part One - 1800–1846 Naturals and Naturalists

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2012

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Summary

  1. THE Erythronium albidum of Nuttall is a common plant near Lexington, where it is called Lambs-tongue. The root or bulb is used against the Scrophula [sic], being stewed with milk or cream, and applied to the scrophulous [sic] sores, which it will cure. The yellow flowered species or Erythronium luteum, has probably the same property. – Communicated by Mr. Crockett, a medical student.

  2. The Bear-grass is not a grass; but a fine rare plant peculiar to the western states, the Helonias angustifolia of Michaux, which I have ascertained to be different from Helonias and called Cyanotris pratensis. Its bulb or root is employed in Kentucky and near Lexington for the cure of the Inflamed Breast: it is mashed and applied to the part as a poultice – Communicated by Mr. Crockett.

  3. The Helenium autumnale is called Sneezeweed in Kentucky, owing to its strong sternutory [sic] properties. If the flowers are dried and snuffed, they will occasion a strong fit of sneezing.

  4. The root and leaves of the Evonymus atropurpureus, which are called Arrow-wood or Wahoon in Kentucky, are used with efficiency in the Influenza, Cough, Colds &c. in the shape of tea or decoction.

  5. Dr. Samuel Brown having procured and shown me the plant which is said to occasion in Kentucky the Milk Fever, I have ascertained that it is the Euphorbia peploides (E. peplus of Pursh, not Lenneus) which is not uncommon on the cliffs and rocky situations in Kentucky. When eaten by cows through chance, it gives them a fever, and their milk becomes poisonous, producing the milk fever in those who drink it.

  6. Many plants are called Gentian in Kentucky and used as succedanea of the foreign Gentian; they are Triosteum major and Tr. minor, Sabatia angularis, Gentiana amarelloides, and several other species of this last genus.

  7. The root of the large Plantain, Plantago major, has lately been recommended in Europe as a good febrifuge.

  8. The Water Horehound, or Lycopus virginicas, has lately been discovered to be an excellent remedy in Hemoptysis or spitting of blood. It is used in decoction or tea-like.

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Publisher: Anthem Press
Print publication year: 2012

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