American Water Cress. It is an inhabitant of the coastal regions, swamps and rivers. This aquatic plant is more deserving of attention than has been given it, and is fully worthy of the name it bears, Officinale, which means all that the word implies. The Indians, having discovered the medicinal qualities of this plant, immediately gave it a place in their medical and food division and, up to the present year of our Lord, the plant has been used in the treatment of disorders of the liver—cases such as torpid liver, cirrhosis of the liver and as a dissolvent of gallstones, etc.
When these diseases are curable, the diet is simple—with no restrictions and no red tape to plague the patient. The first meal taken in the morning must consist of Nasturtium officinale, salted very sparingly, and of this the patient should eat as much as possible and do without further food until noon, when he may eat whatever he likes. This method must be repeated every morning. Care must be taken not to use liquor if one wishes to insure quick recovery.
When the liver is ulcerated it takes at least two months to heal properly, but all other cases are of short duration.
Reducing teas.
LEPIDIUM EPETALUM
(Ind. Chesa-mok-ka-mok)
American Pepper Grass.
SALINIA
(Ind. Cheena-wah)
American Salt Grass.
PANICUM CAPILLARE
(Ind. Ne-wa-cha-mo)
American Witch Grass. The first two are fond of rich, agricultural soils, whereas the latter prefers alkaline lands. All three have been declared noxious weeds and are listed as such by the Department of Agriculture, although the Indians found some use for these grasses.