THYME Thymus vulgaris, L.( G. N. Kotukov, Lekarstevennye, Naukowa Dumka, Kiev, 1964)
Medicinal Part: The herb. Solvents: Boiling water, alcohol. Bodily Influence: Tonic, Carminative, Emmenagogue, Antispasmodic. Uses: Culpeper states:“ It is under the dominion of Venus and under the sign of Aries and therefore chiefly appropriated to the head”. Astrology or not, we agree with Culpeper, as we use Thyme for hysteria, headache, nervous disorders of giddiness and weakening nightmares. This unsuspecting herb is admirable for strengthening the lungs and children’ s colic, colds, irritable stomach, dyspepsia, flatulence and ill-disposition. To sooth the throat of bronchial irritation and in spasms of whooping cough, thyme has been most reliable; it induces free perspiration, important to the beginning of a cold and in ordinary fever.( Make sure the person is free from draught and is kept warm.) Also of use in suppressed menstruation. Use the cold tea freely in small amounts for stomach complaints. Dose: Infusion of 1 teaspoonful of thyme to 1 cupful of boiling water; steep ½ hr. Of the tincture, 20 – 50 drops in hot water. Externally: The oil of Thyme is used for toothache, neuralgia and painful swellings. Russian Experience: This plant’ s name is easily recognizable in three languages: Thymus is Latin, Timian Russian and Thyme English. The extreme north is too cold for this herb but it grows elsewhere in Russia. Clinically: In a Pharmacopoeial preparation, Thymol, volatile oil is extracted and used as antiseptic and disinfectant. Combined with other herbs for congested chest, bronchitis, whooping cough, worms and skin conditions( Atlas, Moscow, 1963). Commercially: Plantations in Ukraine, Moldavia, Don River regions have been assisted by Agro- Technic. They seed 4 – 5 lb. per acre and collect 1 – 2 tons of dry herb. Once seeded, plantations can be harvested for three or four years( Medicine, Moscow, 1965).
TURKEY
CORN Corydalis canadensis, Goldb.( N. O.: Papaveraceae)
Common Names: Wild Turkey Corn, Stagger Weed, Choice Dielytra, Squirrel Corn. Features: This indigenous perennial plant is a beautiful little herb that grows in North America, Canada to Kentucky, in rich soil, on hills, among rocks and old decayed timber. The plant grows 6 to 12 in. high. It has small, tender stalk and small fine leaves of bluish-green colour, round bulbous root,