stones in the kidney and bladder, malaria. Nastoika( with vodka) as a gargle for mouth irritations and toothache. The country people kept the fresh leaves in the house as aromatic, disinfectant and insecticide. The roots were burned to clear the air when sickness from cholera, typhus, flu, etc., were present. It is used as aromatic bitter to improve appetite and the digestive system, to relieve the central nervous system, in decoctions, Nastoika and extracts. Decoctions and tea for kidney and bladder, liver, gall-bladder and general tonic. Powder used internally and externally( Atlas, Moscow, 1963).
SWEET FLAG Acorus calamus, L.
Externally: Nastoika( with vodka) is used for bathing wounds, infected ulcers, shingles, scurvy, children with rickets, scrofula and various skin conditions. Powder for wounds and ulcers. A hair decoction of Calamus, Burdock and Hops is a preventive for falling hair and improves the hair and scalp if application is massaged regularly. Veterinary: For stomach, liver and various internal ailments. The powder for external wounds, ulcers, etc. Industrial and Commercial: 1 ton of raw rhizomes when dry yields about 500 lb.( Naukova Dumca, Academy of Science, Ukraine, Kiev, 1963). Sweet flag oil is used medicinally, in the food industry and as a wine aromatic. India and Pakistan Experience: Known in this country as Bacha or Vacha. Their ancient history and experience has generations of expressed approval. Bodily Influence: Aromatic, Antispasmodic, Aphrodisiac, Bitter tonic, Carminative, Diuretic, Expectorant, Emetic, Emmenagogue, Laxative, Nauseant, Stimulant. Uses: Diarrhoea, dysentery, bronchitis and chest affections. Infusion for epilepsy of children. In small doses for flatulence, colic, chronic diarrhoea and dysentery, loss of appetite, bronchitis and catarrh, fevers, ague, haemorrhage. As an emetic, 30 grains is effective, used instead of Ipecacuanha. For asthma, 10 grains every 3 hr. Externally: The burnt root mixed with some bland oil is used as a poultice for flatulence and colic. Also for paralysed limbs and rheumatic swellings. Dry powdered root is dusted over foul and indolent ulcers and wounds. The above mentioned is the most popular, but use varies individually and by location( Medical
Plants, India, Pakistan, J. F. Dastur, Bombay, 1962).
SWEET
GUM Liquidambar styraciflua, L.( N. O.: Hamamelidaceæ)
Common Name: Red Gum, Star-Leaved Gum. Features: Sweet gum, a tree of the Witch hazel family( Hamamelidaceae), native of the eastern United States, also Mexico and Central America. Along the rivers of the south-eastern United States, Sweet gums exceed 125 ft. in height and 4 ft. in diameter. The deeply cut grey or brownish-grey bark