The Zedoary Plant.
Zedoaria,
An Eastern plant, very singular, and very beautiful. The root creeps under the surface, and has many tuberous lumps, some long, and some round; but the long are preferred. The round have by many been called zerumbeth; though the zerumbeth is properly another root, to be described in its place. The leaves of the zedoary plant are large, very broad, and not vastly long; they stand in clusters, encircling one another at the bases: the flowers stand on separate stalks: these are only eight or ten inches high. They are small, of an irregular shape, and purplish.
The root is the only part used; our druggists keep it dry; it is a warm cordial, and stomachic medicine: it strengthens the stomach, assists digestion, and expels wind. It is good also in all nervous complaints, such as lowness of spirits, faintings, tremblings of the limbs, and restlessness. An ounce of zedoary, sliced thin, and put into a quart of wine, makes an excellent tincture for these purposes, and is very good taken in the quantity of a small glass, on going into a damp, or what is suspected to be a tainted air.
