Chimaphila. Winter Green. (Not officinal.) [Officinal in U. S. P.] The herbaceous part of Chimaphila Uinbellata or Umbell-ed Winter Green, called also Pyrola; Lin. Syst., 'Decandria monogynia; growing in North America.

Description. The leaves are cuneate, lanceolate, coarsely serrated, coriaceous, smooth and shining; green, when fresh; when dry, yellowish-brown. The flwers form small pinkish-white corymbs.

Prop. & Comp. The fresh plant is fragrant when bruised; when dry, the odour is not unlike tea; taste, astringent and bitter; it yields a bitter extractive matter, tannin, and perhaps a trace of gallic acid. No crystalline principle has been discovered in it.

Therapeutics. Tonic astringent, and diuretic; occasionally used in catarrhal affections of the bladder, also stated to be useful as a diuretic in albuminuria and dropsies; it has likewise been employed in scrofula and rheumatism.

Dose. Of the decoction, 1 fl. oz. to 2 fl. oz. (made with 1 oz. of the leaves in the 20 fl. oz. of decoction.)