HAIRCAP MOSS Polytrichum juniperium, Wild.( N. O.: Polytrichaceae)
Common Names: Robin’ s Rye, Ground Moss, Bear’ s Moss. Features: Indigenous, perennial plant found in high, dry places along the margins of dry woods, mostly on poor sandy soil. The evergreen plant, with slender stem, is of a reddish colour and from 4 – 7 in. high Leaves are lanceolate and somewhat spreading, much darker green than the mosses in general. The fruit is a four-sided oblong capsule. Taste and smell are slight. It is said that this moss is found growing on human skulls, thus the origination of Haircap moss. Medicinal Part: The whole plant. Solvent: Boiling water. Bodily Influence: Diuretic. Uses: As a remedial agent this plant has been unnoticed but is nevertheless valuable. Professor King, of Cincinnati, says:“ A strong infusion of this plant taken in doses of four tablespoonfuls every ½ hour, has removed from dropsical patients from 20 to 40 pounds of water in the space of twenty-four hours.” Very useful in urinary obstruction and suppression, fevers and inflamations. Can be used for the most sensitive conditions, as the acceptability is met without stomach rebellion. Can be used with other hydragogue cathartics with decided advantage. Dose: 1 teaspoonful to 1 cup of boiling water. Drink 1 – 2 cupfuls a day, a few swallows at a time. Of the tincture, ½ – 1 fl. dram.
HELLEBORE, AMERICAN Veratrum viride, Ait.( N. O.: Liliaceae)
Common Names: Hellebore, Indian Poke, Itch Weed, Green Hellebore. Features: American helebore is native to North America and Canada, growing perennially in swamps, low grounds and moist meadows.
The thick and fleshy rhizome sends off a multitude of large whitish roots. The stem is from 3 – 5 ft. high: lower leaves from 6 in. to 1 ft. long, decreasing in size alternately up the stem. June and July find the numerous yellowish-green flowers in bloom. The roots should be gathered in autumn, and as it rapidly loses its virtues it should be gathered annually and kept in a well-closed container. Has a very strong, unpleasant odour when fresh, diminishing when dry. Medicinal Part: The rhizome. Solvent: Alcohol. Bodily Influence: Sedative, Emetic, Diaphoretic, Sternutatory. Uses: It is unsurpassed by any article as an expectorant. As an arterial sedative it stands unparalleled and unequalled. In small doses it creates and promotes appetite beyond any agent known to medical men. As a diaphoretic it is one of the most certain of the whole materia medico, often exciting great coolness and coldness of the surface, sometimes rendering the skin moist and soft and in other cases producing free and abundant perspiration. In suitable doses it can be relied upon to bring the pulse down from 150 beats per min. to forty or even thirty.
The contents of Protoveratrine, being the most active heart content, slows the pulse by its powerful