Chrysanthemum leucanthemum. Whiteweed.

Nat. Ord. — Asteraceae. Sex. Syst. — Syngenesia Superflua.

The Leaves and Flowers.

Description. — Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum, or the Leucanthemum Vulgare of Lamark, sometimes known as Ox-eye Daisy, is a perennial herb, with an erect, branching, furrowed stem, growing from one to two feet high ; the leaves are comparatively few and small, alternate, amplexicaul, lanceolate, serrate, cut-pinnatifid at base ; the lower ones petiolate, with deep and irregular teeth ; the upper ones small and subulate, and those of the middle sessile, deeply cut at base, with remote teeth above. Heads large, terminal, solitary. Disk yellow. Rays numerous and white.

History. — This plant was introduced into this country from Europe, and is a very troublesome weed to farmers, in nearly every section. It generally grows from one to two feet high, and bears white flowers in June and July. The leaves are odorous and somewhat acid ; the flowers are bitterish ; they impart their virtues to water.

Properties and Uses. — Tonic, diuretic, and antispasmodic. Large doses emetic. Used as a tonic instead of chamomile flowers, and has been found serviceable in hooping-cough, asthma, and nervous excitability. Very beneficial externally and internally in leucorrhea ; and its internal use has been highly recommended in colliquative perspiration. Externally, it has been used as a local application to wounds, ulcers, scald-head, and some other cutaneous diseases. Dose of the decoction, from two to four ounces, two or three times a day. Said to destroy, or drive away fleas.

Off. Prep. — Decoctum Chrysanthemi.

The American Eclectic Dispensatory, 1854, was written by John King, M. D.