This section of the book is from "The Complete Herbalist" by Dr. O. Phelps Brown. Also available from Amazon: The Complete Herbalist: The People Their Own Physicians By The Use Of Nature's Remedies.
COMMON NAMES. Hazlewort, or Wild Nard.
MEDICINAL PARTS. Root and leaves.
Description. -- The stem of this plant is
very short, simple round and herbaceous, bearing dark-green reniform leaves;
also one drooping flower of purple color, without corolla. The fruit
is a capsule.
History. -- This is a European plant, growing
in moist hilly woods, and flowers from May to August. The root, when
dried, has a pepper-like odor, spicy taste, and yields an ash-colored powder;
the leaves give a green powder, and have the same medicinal properties
as of the root. They impart their virtues to water or alcohol.
Properties and Uses. -- Emetic, cathartic,
and errhine. Used principally as an errhine in certain affections
of the brain, eyes, face, and throat, toothache, and paralysis of the mouth
and tongue. It is used by drunkards in France to promote vomiting.
Dose. -- Powder, 10 or 12 grains; as an emetic,
from one-half to one drachm.
 
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