A— Common milkweed B— Seed pod( Ontario Department of Agriculture, Toronto, Canada, 1966)
Dose: Bruise 4 oz. of the root and boil in 3 quarts of water, reducing down to 1 quart or less, and take ½ teacupful three times a day. Of the saturated tincture, from 1 – 2 teaspoonfuls three times a day. Externally: The fresh milky fluid that weeps from the cut stem will in most cases cause warts to disappear if applied often to the elevated part only. Homeoepathic Clinical: Tincture of the root— Abortion, Bronchitis, Catarrhal fever, Dropsy, Dysmenorrhoea, Hay fever, Headache, Indigestion, Influenza, Pleurisy, Rheumatism, Uraemia, Uterine pains.
MINT Mentha piperita, L.( N. O.: Labiatae)
Common Names: Brandy Mint, Curled Mint. Features: The genus mentha consists of probably not more than fifteen true species, but with numerous transitional forms several hundred species have been described. Practically all are native to Eurasia or Australia. The two best-known forms are M. spicata, the spearmint, with narrow, interrupted spikes of pink to pale violet flowers and sessile leaves, and M. piperita, the peppermint, with thicker spikes of purplish flowers and petiole, dark green leaves. This perennial herb is 1 – 3 ft. high, smooth square stem, erect and branching, generally smooth on both sides, but sometimes hairy on the veins of the lower surface. Both of these species have escaped from North America. They flower from July to September; blossoms are small and purplish. Can be found in rich soils in northern Indiana and southern Michigan states of U. S. A. and Canada. Peppermint oil is distilled from the dried, upper portions of the plant and consists largely of menthol, which is used medicinally, and for flavouring confections, chewing gum and toothpaste. Should be collected in dry weather, August and September, just as the flowers appear. If for oil, just after the flowers have expanded. Medicinal Parts: Leaves and stems. Solvent: Water. Bodily Influence: Aromatic, Stimulant, Stomachic, Carminative. Uses: A most agreeable and harmless herb for cramps and hiccoughs of infants, children and adults. Our mother of eight children always had mint growing somewhere in the garden as a reliable preparation for unpredictable tummy trouble. A wise and beneficial herbal tea to replace coffee, as it will strengthen the heart muscles instead of having the digestive hindrance and weakening effect of the so widely accepted coffee habit. Peppermint is cleansing and strengthening to the entire system. Get in the habit of having a strong cup of peppermint tea and 10 min. of relaxation when in the need of an inhibiting aspirin. Peppermint is a general stimulant and will act more powerfully on the system than any liquor stimulant, without the degenerative possibilities. Useful to check nausea and vomiting, to expel wind, relieve hysterics and prevent the gripping effect of cathartics. The fresh leaves may be bruised and applied to the stomach for the above mentioned, and the tea taken internally. Also an agent for suppressed menstruation and a remedy for sea sickness. Dose: 1 teaspoonful of mint, fresh or dried, to 1 cupful of boiling water, steep 3 – 10 min. Children less, use as needed. Of the tincture, ½ – 1 fl. dram. Externally: The bruised leaves bound on the forehead will relieve most headaches.