832
ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEDICA.
rarely taken internally, but is not unfrequently used externally* 111 , C)junction with other substances, as a stimulating liniment; for exai Fin alopecia or baldness, and also as a perfume. Dose, gtt. ii. to g tl \,
2. Spiritus Rosmarixi, L. E. D.—(Oil of Rosemary, 3ii-i ^ jjoiiSpirit , Cong. i.; Water, Oj. Mix them ; then with a slow fire let a g a ^
j. The Edinburgh and Dublin Colleges submit the tops [lb- i.£>.] to distillation with a gallon of Spirit [Rectified, E .; Proof . ?
distil, Llb. iss. D.
so as to obtain seven [five, D.] pints of the distilled spirit)
It
being
usually prepared merely by dissolving the oil in spirit, distillation ^superfluous. Seldom employed internally. Its principal use is as dn ^ n i-riferous adjunct to lotions and liniments. It is a constituent of th e ^mentum Saponis (p. 337), and Tinctura Lavandulae composita (p> '
, ft r tl,e
Aqua Hungarica (Aqua Rosmarini seu Anthos composita). Various formula:preparation of this perfume have been given. The following is from the ^ jnWurtem. and Bavar. :—Take of fresh Rosemary, in blossom, lbs. iv.; fresh,blossom, .^vi.; Zingiber, Jij. Cut into pieces, and add Rectified Spirit , lb. X1 J' ’ | ia vemon Water, Oij. Let eleven pints distil by a gentle heat. A hermit is said
a)'
this water has been called the Queen of Hungary 's water (Aqua RegimeHungary water is frequently imitated by mixing Spirit of Lavender, fjxij- wlt 1of Rosemary, fjiv.—This liquid is employed principally as a perfume for the tt, j at ;ngalso as an excitant and restorative in fainting. Externally it is used as a stiw uliniment.
Orig’anum vulga’re, L. E. D.— Common Mar’joram.
Sex. Syst. Didynamia, Gymnospermia.
(Herb, E.— Oleum ex lierba, D.) .
History.— Several kinds of ’Opiyavoc are mentioned by the G rcC | e ^.r-Latin writers, but their descriptions are too vague to enable us to 1mine with precision the particular plants referred to. , C <1,
Botany. Gen. Char. — Calyx ovate, tubular, ten to thirteen-"® ltstriated, with five equal or three superior scarcely longer teeth ■ ()1 -
villous within. Tube of the corolla almost the length of the ca % a p>;scarcely longer; limb sub-bilabiate ; upper limb nearly erect, einargn 1 ^the lower spreading, trifid, with nearly equal lobes. Stamina fo l,r ’ ^y\etrading, distant, somewhat didynamous, the lower ones longer- '" ^tcleft at the point into two nearly equal parts. Achenia dry, son 1 ®smooth ^Bentham). bti! s ®’
Leaves petiolate, broad-ovate, 0 0 r
Sp. Char. —Erect, villous,subserrate, rounded at the base, green on both sides,cylindrical, clustered in corymbose panicles. Bracts ovate, uk "', e J,; again as the calyx (Bentham).—Creeping' 10
Spite, oWg*,
coloured, half as IonFlowers light purple.
Hais. —In bushy places, on a limestone and gravelly soil. -A native of several parts of Europe ; also of Asia . Flowers in 111August. __ ...... . . jthas*
Properties. —The whole herb (lierba origani) is officinal.
peculiar aromatic odour, and a warm, pungent taste. Sesquic 1 j 0l iof iron produces a green colour ( tannate of iron) . with the cold 111of origanum. . . , a ji<l
Composition.— Volatile oil, resin?, tannic acid, a bitter principalwoody fibre, are the principal constituents of this plant.
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