Elecampane

Elecampane is a large downy perennial plant, sometimes found wild in rich soils. It grows wild in some parts of england; but principally in gardens for the use of medicine; it grows five feet high, and the large flower is yellow. The stalk is round, thick and reddish. The leaves are long, large, rough, and pointed at the ends. The flowers grow at the top of the branches, and resemble a double sun-flower. They are two inches wide and very beautiful.

The fresh roots of elecampane preaserved with sugar, or made into a syrup or conserve, are very effectual to warm a cold windy stomach, or the pricking thereain, and stitches in the sides caused by the spleen; and to relieve cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing in the lungs. The dried root powdered and mixed with sugar, serves the same purpose the root is esteemed a good pectoral, and, like angelica root, is candied, and sold as a sweetmeat.

Dr. Hill says, he has found an infusion of the fresh root, sweetened with honey, to be very successful for the whooping-cough. It operates by urine powerfully, and by sweat; the juice will cure the itch, applied externally. The decoction of the root in wine, or the juice taken therein, expels worms; and gargled in the mouth, or the root chewed, fastens loose teeth, and keeps them from putrefaction. The decoction, or the juice in honey, is good for those who spit blood. The root boiled well in vinegar, beaten, and made into an ointment with hog's lard, is an excellent remedy for scabs or itch. In the roots of this herb lies the chief effect.