Common Medical Plants of India

"The principal use of Aloes is as a purgative, in doses of from three to six grains. If administered alone, it is apt to cause griping, nausea." "In Coughs, especially those of Infancy and Childhood, where there is difficulty of breathing, the application of betel leaves, warmed, smeared with oil, and applied in layers over the chest, often affords speedy and marked relief. It is a native practice, the utility of which has been confirmed by European experience." "In Rheumatic and Nervous Headaches, a very useful application is one ounce of Camphor dissolved in a pint of Vinegar, and then diluted with one or two parts of water. Cloths saturated with it should be kept constantly to the part." "Dried Ginger is preferable to fresh or green Ginger for medicinal use, but if not procurable the latter may be employed. It is best given in the form of Infusion, made by macerating 1 ounce of bruised Ginger in a pint of boiling water in a covered vessel for an hour and straining. The dose is from 1 to 2 ounces. A very useful domestic remedy is made by steeping 3 ounces of Ginger in a pint of Brandy for ten days. Of this a teaspoonful or more may, with great advantage, be added to aperient, antacid and other medicines."