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. Tickweed, Squawmint, etc.
MEDICINAL PART. The herb.
Description. -- This is an indigenous annual
plant, with a fibrous, yellowish root, and an erect, branching stem, from
six to twelve inches high. The leaves are half an inch or more long,
opposite, oblong, and on short petioles; floral leaves similar. The
flowers are quite small and light-blue in color.
History. -- This plant should not be confounded
with the Mentha pulegioides, or European Pennyroyal. It grows in
barren woods and dry fields, and particularly in limestone countries, flowering
from June to September and October, rendering the air fragrant to some
distance around it. It is common to nearly all parts of the United
States. It is said to be very obnoxious to fleas.
Properties and Uses. -- It is stimulant,
diaphoretic, emmenagogue, and carminative. The warm infusion, used
freely, will promote perspiration, restore suppressed lochia or after-flow,
and excite the menstrual discharge when recently checked. It is very
much used by females for this last purpose -- a large draught being taken
at bedtime, the feet being previously bathed in hot water.
 
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