Guaiacum, Geranium, German Leopard's Bane, Hydrastis Canadensis, Hydrastia Sulphate, Garden Nightshade, Pine or Fir Resin, Goldenrod, Ground Ivy, Gamboge, Golden Thread, Ginger, Glycerin, Honey, Hollyhock, Horehound, Henbane, Huckleberries, Hemlock, Balm of Gilead.
GUAIACUM, or guaiacum officinale, is a tree which is a native of the West Indies. Both the wood and the resin of this tree possess diaphoretic and alterative properties. It is employed to great advantage in cases of gout, chronic rheumatism, and affections of the skin, in old and very obstinate venereal ulcers, scrofulous affections, etc. In rheumatism, particularly that arising from the use of mercury, in gout, etc., it is expecially beneficial. Some physicians also speak very favorable of this article in diseases of the eyes. The raspings of guaiacum enter into the alterative sirups. It is well calculated to remove the mercurial diseases.
GERANIUM, or crow's foot, is a well known wild flower, which grown in sparse woods and fence corners. It is recognized by its very delicate, dainty, purple flowers upon slender stems; it must not be confounded with the so-called cultivated or house plants called geranium. The root is the portion of this plant which is used for medicinal purposes. Geranium can be taken by sensitive persons, from the fact that, while it is decidedly astringent in character, yet it is not at all harsh in its action. It may be successfully used in relaxed conditions to relieve diarrhoea and hemorrhages, and as a wash for sore mouth and bleeding gums. For such purposes an infusion is best, one ounce to a pint of boiling water, given in small doses. The powdered root may be used as a snuff for excessive catarrhal discharges, and also to stop bleeding of the nose.
GERMAN LEOPARD'S BANE, or arnica montana, is the herb from which we secure that splendid household remedy known everywhere as arnica. Like gentian, arnica is renowned throughout the world as a household remedy. The tincture of arnica, which can be procured at a moderate cost at any drug store, is one of the best of simple liniments, and is in such general use for washing wounds, for compresses, sprains, bruises, etc., that it seems unneccessary to say much about it, but any one can make the tincture for home use by gathering the blossoms about the last of June or first of July and placing them in brandy or spirits. A few days later the tincture will be ready for use.
HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS is the botanical name of golden seal, known to many of you as yellow puccoon, and of all the herb remedies it takes a prominent place in the front rank. As a stomach tonic and restorative it is hard to excel, while at the same time, its actions on the liver is of a very beneficial nature. On account of its pronounced influence on all mucous membranes it is really invaluable. Its greatest usefulness, however, is found in congested conditions. Weakened stomachs with feeble digestive powers are greatly benefitted by its use, and, when combined with skullcap, a herb of which we shall learn later on, and also with a little ginger, it can be used to great advantage in numerous troubles, which arise from or are apt to accompany and follow almost all kinds of dyspepsia.
For ordinary diarrhoea it can be used with raspberry leaves or neutralizing cordial or wild cherry bark. It sustains the circulation of blood in the veins, and on that account is valuable in heart affections where the extremities are prone to become cold and the lips bluish. In such cases it should be combined with cayenne and skullcap. Thus a weakened heart may be greatly sustained. Golden seal is best given in infusion, half a teaspoonful to a cup of boiling water, taken cold. When combined with other agents it should constitute one-fourth part of the whole. Locally it is used to advantage in many skin difficulties, such as eczema, erysipelas, etc., for which purpose the fluid extract should be mixed with glycerine. The powder may be sprinkled over poultices for sores that are of a dark color.
HYDRASTIA SULPHATE is a concentrated preparation which may be used instead of the ordinary golden seal, and is superior to it as an eye-wash, one-half grain to an ounce of rose water, and a little alum added for granulated lids. As a tonic for intestinal indigestion one grain of sulphate of hydrastia may be combined with a grain of tartrate of iron and potassa and half a grain of capsicum, given in capsules after each meal. The phosphate of hydrastia is similar in every respect to the sulphate. Hydrastine pervules contain one-tenth grains each of hydrastine and are suitable for sensitive persons.
GARDEN NIGHTSHADE, or solanum nigrum, is an annual plant, a native of Europe, and naturalized in this country to such an extent that it has become very common. It is usually found growing along old fences or walls and in gardens. Its properties are that of a narcotic and discutient. As a rule it is used only in the discutient ointments, where its beneficial properties have the peculiar faculty of removing swellings. The whole plant is used, made into an extract or tincture.
PINE or FIR RESIN Grains of resin or incense often drip from the bark of the fir or pine tree as the drops fall from a burning candle. You can see these drops, looking like suspended tears, white as wax, clear as honey, and fresh as spring water, if you will go into the woods in the summer or autumn. Resin is, so to speak, the blood of the fir and pine, and when such powerful trees are wounded, they often bleed profusely. This resin, which adheres so firmly, and to all appearances contains precious granulous matter, must surely have a special healing power. Five to six of such resin globules, or resin tears, about the size of a pea, taken daily for some time as pills, strengthen the chest and operate in a remarkably strengthening manner on the interior vessels. A very weak priest who used to take a good quantity of this resin fluid every day one remarked, "I owe the strength of my chest to this strong sirup."
Those who do not live where these resin pills can be obtained may take instead of them grains of incense of the white kind. Incense is only a superior resin. Six to eight of such grains are a good cure for many diffficulties in the chest. The fear of not being able to digest these little resin stones, as a high imagination might call them, must not alarm you, for nature can work up such goods very well indeed.
GOLDENROD, or solidago virgaures, is a plant which is familiar to most everybody, and, as the name would indicate, it is of a golden color. The flowers are aperient and corroborant, and the leaves gently astringent. The flowers have been found beneficial in removing obstructions of the urinary organs, in gravelly complaints and ulcerations of the bladder, and are also good in vitiation of the humors and in the first stages of dropsy. The leaves are good in debility and laxity of the viscera or bowels, and all disorders proceeding from that cause. They may be taken in infusion or decoction.
GROUND IVY Glechoma hederacea The leaves of this plant, made in a decoction, are a good purifier of the blood, a pectoral, etc. This decoction may be used with great benefit in cases of consumption, obstructions, laxity, and debility of the viscera; for cleasing and healing ulcers in the lungs, kidneys, and other internal parts; and is also a good remedy in jaundice and asthmatic coughs.
GAMBOGE Cambogia The tree that furnishes the gamboge is of middle size, and grows wild in the kingdom of Siam and in Ceylon, and also on the peninsula of Cambodia. The gum is obtained by making incisions in the bark of the tree, from which the juice exudes and concretes. Gamborge is a powerful evacuant. In small doses it acts as a mild laxative. Gamboge enters as one of the articles in the anti-dyspeptic pills.
GOLDEN THREAD The botanical name of this plant is coptis trifolia and the common names are gold thread and mouthroof; it flowers early in the spring in the cold regions, or in May. The flowers are of a fine golden color, whence they derive their name. They should be collected in the summer, and are easily dried, but not easily pulverized. Golden thread is found from Canada to Greenland and Iceland on the east, and to Siberia on the west. The most southern limits where this plant is found are New England, New York, and the shores of Lake Erie. It is commonly found in mossy swamps and bogs of evergreen woods; but likewise on the rocks of the White mountains, Labrador and Newfoundland.
The properties of the golden thread are tonic and somachic, promoting digestion and strengthening the viscera; useful in dyspepsia, debility, and convalescence from fevers. It is much used as a gargle in ulceration of the mouth.
GINGER, or zingiber, is a universal agent; is a most pleasant diffusive stimulant, and is excellent for chilliness, new colds, colic, and disturbances of the circulation. Its prompt use may often prevent a spell of pneumonia, or other serious malady. It quickly sends the blood to the surface. It is best given by infusion. A pleasant way of preparing it is to mix thoroughly half a teaspoonful of pulverized ginger and a teaspoonful fo sugar, and pour upon it a cup of boiling water, and add a little cream, if desired. The tincture of ginger is readily procured and is an excellent form of ginger to keep on hand for emergencies. Jamaica ginger is stronger and better than the African variety. Great relief in colic may be obtained, by an external appolication of the infusion or tincture of ginger over the abdomen. Sirup of ginger is made by adding six drams of the tincture to a pint of simple sirup; it is a good basis for many preparations. In many cases of cold, accompanied with fever, a dry hot skin, and hacking cough, a good cupful of hot ginger tea is one of the most reliable of the home remedies. Don't be afraid, nor ashamed, to use the good old-fashioned ginger tea.
GLYCERIN, or propenyl hydrate, is well known in almost every household. It is a viscous, sirupy, colorless substance, derived from certain vegetable fats, mainly from palm oil. It is hydroscopic, non-drying, odorless, and of a warm and very sweet taste. it is soluble in water and alcohol; when united in proportion with nitric acid it from nitroglycerin, a very, very powerful and highly destructible explosive. There are many interesting things which we could learn about glycerin, but as they are, perhaps, of more interest than practical value for our purposes, I think it advisable to refer you to your encyclopedias for that part and go on to the practical uses in the household pharmacopoeia. In the first place it is a splendid antiseptic, and it has the ability to abstract water from the tissue with which it comes in contact, and from that reason it is so extensively used for anointing the red pimples on the face in cases of hydroadinitis. Unless it is pure, however, it is very irritating to the skin, and I always prefer mixing it with an equal quantity of witch-hazel.
I well remember an experience I had when a boy. Continuous playing in the open air, making mud pies, and many other things which an active youngster will do, had caused my hands to become very rough and chapped. The March winds of Minnesota had also roughened the skin on my face, and I was greatly distressed by the pain when washed at night. Some kind-hearted person suggested glycerin, and it was procured and applied. The effect was like fire, and I was in agony. Many and various preparations were used during the years that followed, but I always suffered with a dry, rough skin. When about 20 years old I met a man who was called an Indian doctor, cultured, refined, soft-voiced, and gentlemanly. I asked him to tell me of a cure for my affection and he said glycerin. I told him of my experience and he answered that I had used it too strong. "Cut it, cut it down just half; use as much rose water as you do glycerin, and it will cure you." I tried it, and have thousands of times since that day wished that I could thank him again for the suggestion. By experimenting, however, I have found that witch-hazel is much better than rose water and also that it should be applied just after washing the skin, wiping the surface first, and then applying the lotion before the skin gets dry. Used after shaving it keeps the skin of the face from feeling rough and prevents the formation of the little fine wrinkles which many times appear.
It is prescribed in many ways by physicians, one of the most popular and useful being in the form of suppositories for cases of obstinate constipation of the lower bowels. It is also very useful in cases of acute coryza, giving great relief when applied to the mucous surface of the nose with a feather or used as a spray. In the external auditory canal, it will soften the cerumen, or ear wax, as it is popularly called, diminish the secretions of pus, deplete the tissues, and keep the surface moist.
HONEY The idea was formerly maintained that young people should by no means take much honey, as it was too strong for them; but, on the contrary, old people were "helped on their legs again" by it. I have used honey in manuy ways and always found its effects excellent. It operates in a dissolving, purifying, and strengthening manner. It has for many years been used extensively as an admixture with tea, for catarrh and obstructions of phlegm. For exterior sores or ulcers, country people know well how to apply honey with very great benefit. I would strongly advise those who are not skillful enough to treat such sores with water, to make use of this simple, harmless and effective remedy, rather than of any other smearing sruff. It is very easily prepared - take equal portions of honey and white flour, and stir them well together by means of a little water. Proper honey ointment should be solid, not a liquid.
Honey is also a good internal remedy for different lesser complaints. Small ulcers in the stomach are quickly contracted, broken, and healed by its use. Honey should not be taken by itself, but I would strongly recommend it being taken mixed with a suitable tea. Without admixture, this superior extract operates too strongly; bvefore it has passed the throat it has made it already quite rough. If swallowing becomes difficult on account of catarrh or any other similar complaint let a teaspoonful of honey be boiled in a cup of water. By the use of this every singer will obtain the best and sweetest gargle. Even if a drop happens to be swallowed there is no need to be afraid ofinjuring the stomach or of poisoning. The purifying and strengthening honey-water for th eyes is well known. Boil a teaspoonful of honey in a cup of water for five minutes and it is ready for dipping in the linen for the eyes.
There is an old gentleman of my acquaintance, who is more than 80 years of age, who prepares his daily table-wine. He puts a tablespoonful of pure honey into boiling water and lets it boile for awhile, and the drink is ready. It is said to be wholesome, strengthening, and relishing. "I owe my health annd my vigorousness in my old agge to thie honey-wine," he remarked. Perhaps he was right. But I know this much from actual experience, it is dissolving, purifying, nourishing, and strengthening, and it is good not only for the weaker sex, but for the stronger sex as well. It always reminds me of the honey-mead of the ancient Germans. To these unadulterated beers, as Tactitus relates, they attributed their helath and their great age. With hops and lobelia honey makes an excellent remedy for bronchitis. Comvined with sage and borax it is highly valued a sa remedy for sprew or thrush of children, and added to any ordinary gargles it will increase their efficiency.
HOLLYHOCK, or althea rosea, is a common garden flower, but in its proper place is a valuable agent for medicinal purposes.The flowers are used as a demulcent, and an infusion of them is found very soothing in all inflamed conditions of the alimentary and urinary tracts; it is especially valuable in inflammation of the kidneys or bladder. The flowers may be dried in the shade and kept for winter use without losing their virtue.
HOREHOUND, or marrubium vulgare, is a perennial plant, which grows to about one foot in height. The leaves are deeply serrated, veined, wrinkled, and hoary, in pairs, standing upon long, thick, and broad foot-stalks. The flowers are white; calyx cut into ten segments. Horehound is a native of Europe, but grows well in the United States, and is usually found growing along fences and roadsides. It is a pectoral and tonic, and is a most excellent remedy in colds, coughs, and all pulmonary affections. It is considered very good in consumption and pneumonia. It enters largely into the pulmonary balsam, which constitutes an exceedingly valuable preparation in all pulmonary diseases. It is most generally given in the form of sirup and infusion or tea. It is used also in the form of sirup, for colds and coughs. Children will usually eat horehound candy when they will not take the other forms of the preparation, and this, too, is most excellent for coughs and irritation of the throat.
HENBANE, or hyoscyamus niger, is an annual plant. It is a native of Europe, but grows plentifully in the United States. It is usually found along roadsides and among rubbish. It flowers in July. Henbane is a very powerful narcotic, and is generally better for external than internal use. When applied externally, in the form of poultice and fomentation, it is useful in all cases of painful and obstinate inflammations such as fistula, boils, and swellings of the breast. If given in the form of tincture it will sometimes allay irritation where opium cannot be administered. It may be given in tic douloureux, tetanus, and other painful nervous affections; also epilepsy, etc. In very severe pains a small teaspoonful of the tincture may be given. Externally a poultice may be made of the leaves by simmering them in water, and then adding the slippery elm bark. The extract in doses of from one to four grains may be given, gradually increasing. The dose of the leaves is the same as that of the extract.
HUCKLEBERRIES This plant is familiar to almost everyone, the fruit being much esteemed. The berries have very good medicinal properties, being with the root strongly diuretic, and seldom fail to relieve or cure dropsical or gravelly affections. They may be bruised, put in gin, and drank as the stomach will bear.
HEMLOCK The bark, gum, and leaves are all useful. The leaves are good in inflammatory rheumatism to purify the blood and to produce perspiration, and should be given freely in a tea. The gum, four parts; white turpentine, one part, melted together, and spread on leather for a plaster are very efficacious to remove pain.
BALM OF GILEAD The buds of this tree are filled with a rich balsamic gum, which is good in coughs and debility. To one ounce of bruised buds add a pint of fourth proof spirits. Dose, from a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful three or four times a day in sweetened water. It is also excellent for cuts and wounds.
HOPS, or humulus lupulus, is an old-time-plant which is an excellent agent for many conditions. The flowers are usually employed in infusion, half an ounce to the pint. Dose, three tablespoonfuls every three hours - the fluid extract may be used in ten-drop doses. An infusion of hops is an excellent nervine, is much used for sleeplessness, and it is an old custom, as you no doubt know, for sleepless persons to rest the head upon a pillow filled with dried hop flowers. The fluid extract is often used in cough sirups where there is nervousness, and in heart palpitation ten-drop doses of the fluid extract will be found very serviceable. A hot fomemtation of hops applied to the face will give ease in neuralgia and earache. And as a poultice for suppurating abcesses of a painful character it will afford great relief. Boiled in vinegar and water the saturated tincture of hops makes an excellent fomentation to relieve pain of the bowels, head, and other parts. The extract, or pollen, of hops may be given as an anodyne.
Chapter Three/Pt 4