SOUTHERN WOOD, OR OLD MAN.
There are few who are ignorant of the existence of this plant, or unacquainted with its aromatic fragrance. It is to be found in almost every garden; flowers of a lilac-tinged, grayish color.
Medical Properties.—There are very few who really know how useful this plant is. It is stimulant, sudorific, antiseptic, anti-hysterical, and, I consider it, a great nervine. It is an excellent remedy for the headache, and to check a too profuse flow of the menses; is also good for worms.
BLACK MUSTARD SEED.
Take a handful, pound and mix with rye meal; good for pains in the chest, or elsewhere. Mix with water only; put the poultice on the soles of the feet.
WHITE MUSTARD SEED.
Very little known; it is a valuable medicine,—simple and efficacious in all cases where the stomach is weakened by taking too much medicine; it creates warmth in the stomach, that is, it expels wind and removes that cold mucous from the stomach, assisting the digestive organs in their functions, and creates a regular appetite. I have found it good for worms.
Directions.—Take two large tablespoonsful of seeds, clean and free from dirt, and put them into a half teacupful of spearmint tea; take a teaspoonful morning, noon, and bed time. Keep the decoction covered close, and should they become dry, add more tea. You must not chew them, but swallow them whole. Follow this treatment for fifteen days in succession. Give less to a child, in proportion to age and constitution, sweetened with sugar or molasses.
CATNIP.
Notwithstanding this plant is but little thought of in regular practice, it is a very valuable herb. I have used it, with motherwort, for menstruation, and found it gave relief instantly, especially where they were swollen or bloated. I have often used it successfully in treating children in cases of fits, caused by worms. Make a half pint of strong, catnip tea, add an even teaspoonful of fine salt, two or three tablespoonsful of molasses, one tablespoonful of sweet oil, or hog’s lard; inject two-thirds of it, and keep it up ten or fifteen minutes, which may be done by compressing the parts with the hand. It will bring away the super-abundance of mucous slime which, in such cases, collects on the internal surface of the intestinal canal.