ripening the next autumn, is a nutlike capsule or pod. Witch hazel is unusual, especially among trees and shrubs, in its time of flowering. Twigs and crotches of H. virginiana have been used as divining rods. Medicinal Parts: Bark and leaves. Solvent: Boiling water. Bodily Influence: Astringent, Tonic, Sedative. Uses: Another medicinal tree used by the Indians for various irritations and is still best known as a non-alcoholic preparation. To check internal bleeding it is among the best, especially for excessive menstruation, haemorrhages from the lung, stomach, uterus, bowels, etc. There is hardly an inflamed condition, internally or externally, that does not respond to the properties of this product. It is useful for weakening and pain of diarrhoea, dysentery, excessive mucus, and is seldom surpassed for haemorrhoids. If bleeding, inject ½ oz. solution into the rectum and retain as long as possible; repeat after every bloody discharge. Make the ointment from the boiled leaves, bark and coconut oil; chill and make into suppostories. Can be used also as enema in diarrhoea, dysentery, leucorrhoea, simple vaginitis and falling of the womb. Has been valued in incipient tuberculosis and painful tumours. A mouth wash is useful for bleeding gums and inflamed conditions of the mouth and throat; also as a cotton application for inflamed eyes. The leaves, twigs and bark may be made into an infusion and are stronger than the distilled extract. Dose: Simmer 10 min. 1 oz. of the leaves or bark to 1 pint of water. Take in wineglassful doses three or four times daily. Of the tincture, 5 – 20 drops. Children according to age. Externally: The Indians used Witch hazel in poultice form for all external irritations of broken or unbroken skin conditions. Has been mixed with flax seed for inflamed swelling and tumours of a painful character. For varicose veins an extract of the fresh leaves and young twigs of Witch hazel is applied on a loosely woven white cotton cloth and kept constantly moist, for relief and to arouse circulation. Homoeopathic Clinical: Tincture of fresh bark of twigs and root( A resinoid, Hamamelin, is also prepared)— Abortion( threatened), Ankles( weak), Black eye, Bruises, Burns, Cancer, Chilblains, Constipation, Enteric fever, Gastric ulcer, Haematemesis, Haematuria, Haemorrhages, Haemorrhagic diathesis, Haemorrhoids, Leucorrhoea, Menstruation( disorders of; vicarious), Nipples( sore), Noises in the head, Nose( bleeding from), Ovaries( affections of), Pelvic haematocele, Phimosis, Phlegmasea alba dolens, Purpura, Rheumatism, Scapula( rheumatism of), Scurvy, Smallpox, Testicles( inflamed), Ulcers, Uterus( affections of), Vagina( spasm of), Varicocele, Veins( varicose), Wounds. Russian Experience: In Russian literature close attention is given to Witch hazel; they use the same Latin name with a Russian accent. Witch hazel does not grow wild in their country. Hamamelis virginica. native of North America, and Japanica, of Japan, is cultivated commercially. Folk Medicine: Is not indicated. Clinically: Extracts used in unwanted, excessive, bleeding; bleeding haemorrhoids; and other similar cases( Atlas, Moscow, 1963).
WORMSEED Chenopodium anthelminticum, A. Gray.( N. O.: Chenopodiaceae)
Common Names: American Wormseed, Jerusalem Oak, Chenopodium, Mexican Tea. Features: Wormseed is the common name given to various plants and their derivatives. American Wormseed, C. anthelminticum, also known as C. ambrosioides, is in the goosefoot family chenopodiaceae, which is a native of the American tropics but has widely escaped to waste places in