Epilobium angustifolium. Willow Herb.

Nat. Ord. — Onagraceae. Sex. Syst. — Octandria Monogynia,

The Leaves and Root.

Description. — This plant, sometimes known as Rose-bay, is the Epilobium Spicatum of Lamark ; it is a perennial, indigenous plant, with a simple, erect stem from four to six feet in bight. The leaves are scattered, lanceolate, sessile, smooth, subentire, with a marginal pellucid vein, from two to five inches in length, and one-fourth as wide. The flowers are large, numerous, very showy, pink-purple, and in a long terminal spike or raceme. The corolla has four deep lilac-purple petals, clawed, and widely spreading. Calyx-tube not prolonged beyond the ovary ; limb four-cleft, four-parted, and deciduous. Stamens eight, and as well as the style, turned to one side. Stigma with four linear, long, revolute lobes. Ovary and capsule long, linear, four-cornered, fourcelled, four-valved ; seeds numerous, with a tuft of long hairs.

History. — Willow Herb is found growing in the United States in newly cleared lands, and low waste grounds, in the northern States, flowering in July and August. The leaves and roots are the parts used, and yield their virtues to water or spirits.

Properties and Uses. — Tonic, astringent, demulcent, and emollient. An infusion of the leaves will be found beneficial in chronic diarrhea, dysentery, leucorrhea, menorrhagia, and uterine hemorrhage ; and forms an excellent local application for ophthalmia, ulcerations of the mouth and throat, and leucorrhea. The leaves in poultice are a valuable remedy for foul and indolent ulcers. Dose of the infusion from two to four fluidounces, three or four times a day.

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