Astringents

Astringents are very important remedies. Astringent means to pucker, to contract, to draw up; therefore, astringents are tissue contractors, and when given in diarrhoea they check it by checking the excretions of the bowels, by puckering the pores, and by acting as a rub lock on the worm-like motion of the bowels. Oak bark ooze, tea made from the red raspberry leaf, common brier root, flax seed tea, are very good astringents.

Expectorants

Expectorants are medicines that stimulate mucus secretions from the windpipe and bronchial tubes, or tubes that lead to the lungs. Squill, lobelia, hoarhound and tar, are good and safe ones.

Antiseptics

An antiseptic is a medicine that keeps a wound pure and prevents it from mortifying. Salicylic acid and carbolic acid are good ones.

Emmenagogues

This is a remedy that promotes and increases the monthly flow of woman from the womb. Tansy, pennyroyal, rattleroot and blue flag, are good ones.

Parturients

These are medicines that increase the power of the muscles of the womb to contract when a woman is being delivered of a child, and should only be given by a good doctor that knows when they are indicated.

Abortives

Abortives are medicines that will produce confinement before the right time, and should only be given in extreme cases by a good physician.

Antispasmodics

These are agents that stop fits or spasms. They should only be handled by doctors, as they are particular remedies.

Refrigerants

These are remedies that cool the blood and lessen fever and general heated morbid conditions of the body. Cream of tartar, tartaric acid and epsom salts are refrigerants. Lemon juice is a very fine one, and harmless.