Indian Indigo. Uses: The plant has Deobstruent and Alterative properties. Decoction or powder for Whooping cough, Bronchitis, Heart conditions, Dropsy, Kidney and Bladder, Lung disease, Liver and Spleen enlargement, Nervous disorders, Epilepsy. Externally: To promote urination, applications of leaf poultice or a paste of Indigo and warm water is placed over the bladder area; also in skin conditions and haemorrhoids. Indigo dye for burns, scalds, insect sting, animal bites; Indigo dust for ulcers, boils.(“ Medical Plants of India and Pakistan”, J. D. Dastur, Bombay, 1962.)
IRON WEED Vernonia, Schreb.( N. O.: Compositae)
Common Name: Iron Weed. Features: This is an indigenous perennial; several species grow abundantly in woods, along roadsides, prairies, beside rivers and streams throughout the eastern and southern parts of the country as far west as Kansas and Texas. The purplish-green, coarse, composite plant has stems from 3 – 10 ft. high. The leaves are from 4 – 8 in. long, dark purple and showy. They bear heads of magenta-coloured flowers from July to September somewhat like miniature thistles. The root is bitter. Medicinal Parts: The root and leaves. Solvents: Water, alcohol. Bodily Influence: Tonic, Deobstruent, Alterative. Uses: This plant is particularly useful in female complaints, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, leucorrhoea and menorrhagia. Considered a certain remedy for chills and intermittent and bilious fevers, and also valuable in scrofula, diseases of the skin and in constitutional syphilis. Some physicians employed it in the treatment of dyspepsia. Dose: Of the decoction, ½ wineglassful or more. Of the tincture, 20 – 30 teaspoonfuls several times a day. A decoction of the leaves is esteemed a good gargle in sore throat.
IVY, AMERICAN Vitis quinquefolia, Lam.( N. O.: Vitaceae)
Common Names: Woodbine, Virginia Creeper, Five Leaves, False Grape, Wild Wood Vine. Features: The American Ivy is a common, familiar shrubby vine of the grape family. Ascending to the height of 50 – 100 ft., extensively by means of its radiating tendrils, supporting itself firmly on trees, stone walls, churches, etc. This is a woody vine, with smooth digitate leaves and many leaflets. The greenish or white flowers are inconspicuous. The bark and twigs should be collected after the small dark berries have ripened. Its taste is acrid and persistent, though not unpleasant; the decoction is mucilaginous. Medicinal Parts: The bark and twigs. Solvent: Boiling water. Bodily Influence: Tonic, Astringent, Expectorant. Uses: It is used principally in the form of syrup, in scrofula, and is a reputed remedy for dropsy, bronchitis and other pulmonary complaints.
From the herbalist, J. E. Meyers( 1939), and those who have gone before us:“ There is great