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.
MEDICINAL PART. The root.
Description. -- This plant has a thick, top-shaped,
aromatic, and perennial root, with a thick, leafy, round, solid stem, from
four to six feet high. The leaves are large, ovate, dark green above,
downy and hoary beneath, with a fleshy mid-rib. The flowers are of
a bright yellow color, and the fruit an achenium.
History. -- Elecampane is common in Europe,
and cultivated in the United States. It grows in pastures and along
road-sides, blossoming from July to September. The root is the part
used, and should be gathered in the second year of its development, and
during the fall months. It yields its properties to water and alcohol,
more especially to the former.
Properties and Uses. -- It is aromatic, stimulant,
tonic, emmenagogue, diuretic, and diaphoretic. It is much used in
chronic pulmonary affections, weakness of the digestive organs, hepatic
torpor, dyspepsia, etc.
Dose. -- Of the powder, from one scruple
to one drachm; of the infusion, one to two fluid ounces.
 
Continue to: