Commentary. The former species, which Dioscorides describes and recommends for the cure of wounds, we would willingly refer to the Anthyllis vulneraria, but the predominance of authority is against it, and in favour of the Cressa cretica. The other is probably the Ajuga Iva. Avicenna joins Dioscorides in commending it as a vulnerary herb (ii, 2, 744), for which virtue the anthyllis was long celebrated, as its scientific name implies.
Ἄνησον,
Anisum, Anise; the seed is particularly acrid, eating, and drying in the third degree. Hence it is diuretic and dispels flatus.
Commentary. Serapion and Avicenna, like the Greek authorities, call the Pimpinella anisum diuretic and emmenagogue. It is now reckoned the first of the four hot seeds, the other three being carui, cumin, and fennel.
Ἀντίρρινον or Ἀνάρρινον,
Antirrinon, or Anarrinon, Snapdragon, has properties resembling those of the bubonium, but weaker, whence you may learn its properties.
Commentary. Galen writes of this article, Antirrinum Orontium, or Calfsnout, as being of no use in medicine. (De Simpl. v.) Dioscorides, also, mentions it only as an amulet and external application. (iv, 131.) It is scarcely noticed by the other authorities. According to Pliny, it is emmenagogue. Serapion has omitted it.
Ἄνωνις or Ὤνωνις,
Anonis, or Ononis, Rest-harrow, has heating powers, especially in its root. Its juice, when drunk with wine, promotes the secretion of urine, is lithontriptic, breaks eschars, and soothes pains of the teeth.