contains a large percentage of inulin. The yellowish, porous wood has a distinct odour; sweetish taste, very pungent acrid, tingling, with a sialagogue effect. The flower resembles Chamomile with its yellow disc, and white petals, one to a stalk; flowering in June and July. The centre stem grows to about 2 ft. high with serrated-edge alternate leaves; very short hairs.
Bees are said to dislike this plant very much, and a handful of the flower heads carried, where they are, will cause them to keep their distance. Medicinal Part: The whole herb. Solvents: Alcohol, boiling water( partially). Bodily Influence: Aperient, Carminative, Tonic Emmenagogue, Vermifuge, Stimulant. Uses: The warming infusion of Feverfew upon the circulation influences the skin, nervous system and the genito urinary organs and relieves the head of dizziness, brain and nerve pressure, and tensions of over-excitement. Culpeper recommends it as“ a special remedy against opium when taken too liberally”. The relieving assistance of hyperemic conditions of the mucous membrane have a trustworthy regard for this garden herb in conditions of colic, flatulence, general indigestion, colds, suppressed urine, expelling, worms, hysteria, and in some febrile diseases. It is largely used in female correction of scanty or delayed monthly periods. Dr. G. P. Wood, M. D., and Dr. E. H. Ruddock, M. D., in the book“ Vitalogy”, say that it is“ An admirable remedy for St. Vitus dance”. Dr. Clymer. M. D., dealing with Natures healing agents, administers the following for fevers:
Tincture of Feverfew( Pyrethrum parthenium), 10 – 30 drops Tincture of Cone flower( Echinacea angustifolia), 10 – 20 drops Tincture of Cayenne pepper( Capiscum), 10 – 20 drops.
Taken every 2 – 3 hr., depending on symptoms. The cold infusion or extract makes a valuable tonic. The warm infusion is nervine and very useful for hysteria and promoting perspiration in fevers.
Dose of Feverfew alone: 10 – 30 drops in water every 2 – 3 hr., or as indicated by condition. Can be used as tea, 1 teaspoonful to 1 cup of boiling water steeped for ½ hr.; 2 cups a day in small mouthful doses. Externally: The leaves boiled for hot compresses for pain of congestion, or inflammation of the lungs, stomach and abdomen is beneficial. Homoeopathic Clinical: Tincture of fresh plant— Convulsions, Delirium, Dysentery, Fevers, Loquacity, Rheumatism.
FEVER WEED Gerardia pedicularis, L.( N. O.: Scrophulariaceae)
Common Names: Fever Weed, American Foxglove, Lousewort. Features: A most elegant plant grown in dry copses, pine ridges, barren woods and mountains from Canada to Georgia. The plant reaches the height of 2 – 3 ft., with busy stems supporting numerous leaves opposite, ovate and lanceolate in form. The large yellow flowers are trumpet-shaped and show themselves in August and September, followed by a two-celled fruit capsule.