CHAP. 87.—THE ONOPORDON: FIVE REMEDIES.
The onopordon,[1953] it is said, has strongly carminative effects upon asses, when they eat of it. It acts as a diuretic and as an emmenagogue, arrests diarrhœa, and disperses abscesses and suppurations.
CHAP. 88.—THE OSYRIS: FOUR REMEDIES.
The osyris[1954] bears small, swarthy, flexible branches, covered with dark leaves like those of flax. The seed, which grows upon the branches, is black at first, but afterwards changes its colour and turns red. Cosmetics[1955] for females are prepared from these branches. A decoction of the roots, taken in drink, is curative of jaundice. The roots, cut in pieces before the seed ripens, and dried in the sun, act astringently upon the bowels: gathered after the seed has ripened, and boiled in pottage, they are curative of defluxions of the abdomen: they are taken also by themselves, bruised in rain water.
CHAP. 89.—THE OXYS: TWO REMEDIES.
The oxys[1956] is a plant with three leaves; it is given for derangement of the stomach, and patients eat it who are suffering from intestinal hernia.[1957]
CHAP. 90.—THE POLYANTHEMUM OR RATRACHION: THREE REMEDIES.
The polyanthemum,[1958] by some persons called “batrachion,”[1959] by virtue of its caustic properties has an excoriating effect upon scars, and restores the skin to its proper colour. It heals white morphew[1960] also.