( N. O.: Orabanchaceae)
Common Name: Cancer Root. Features: A parasite of the family Orabanchaceae( broom-rape family). The name Cancer root is applied to several of the root parasites but more specifically to the Beechdrop or cancer drops of the beech tree roots.
The low wiry plant has pale brown, dull red, or light brown stems usually marked with fine brown purple lines. The stem has leaf scales but no leaves. The root is scaly and tuberous. Altogether the taste is disagreeably astringent. The August and September flowers are white in the upper corolla, about 1 cm. long, striped with brown-purple and are sterile; the less conspicuous lower flowers bear seeds. Medicinal Parts: Tops, stems, root. Solvents: Water, alcohol. Bodily Influence: An eminent astringent. Uses: This plant has been used by the teaching of the Folk Medicine and homoeopaths for cancer, hence the name is commonly known as Cancer root. It has other attributes, especially for asthma and is valuable in the treatment of obstinate ulcers of the mouth or stomach and diarrhoea. Dose: Mainly a Folk Medicine, the amount to be taken is not mentioned in herbal practice in English or Russian literature. Unless given by persons of experience, it is best prescribed by the medical profession.
Further research is needed both in North America and abroad. The long established homoeopathic practice makes use of its properties in the form of extracts and tinctures. Externally: Of use for all dermatitis inflammations, broken or unbroken skin conditions. Homoeopathic knowledge has added: Tincture of whole fresh plant in full flowers— Diarrhoea, Gonorrhoea, Headaches, Palpitations— to our list of effective but little published medicine from the earth. They also mention cancer in this homoeopathic clinical.
BEECH TREE Fagus sylvatica, L.( N. O.: Fagaceae)
Common Names: American Beech, Beechnut Tree. Features: The American beech( F. grandiflora) and the European or common beech( F. sylvatica) are closely similar.
They are handsome forest trees of the family Fagaceae. Both species thrive in light, limey loams; they do not grow in damp locations.( Blue or water beech, better known as American hornbean, Carpinus americanus, is not a member of this genus.) F. sylvatica has grey bark and shining leaves which persist during most of the winter.
The tree scarcely bears fruit before the fiftieth year. When about 250 years old and when matured to the fruit-bearing age both species yield pleasant edible, three-angled nuts in September, usually in pairs in prickly involucres, nourishing and enjoyable to bath man and animal. The beech tree is used in ornamental planting due to their symmetrical forms. Medicinal Parts: Bark and leaves. Solvent: Water. Bodily Influence: Tonic, Astringent, Antiseptic. Uses: Beech, a medical tree of internal and external value. The bark and leaves contain effective