119. Asarum Canadense.—Canada snake-root. Wild Ginger.
Botanical name:
119. ASARUM CANADENSE Linné.—CANADA SNAKE-ROOT. Asarum, N.F. WILD GINGER. A long, creeping rhizome, more or less contorted. In commerce broken into pieces from 100 to 150 mm. (4 to 6 in.) long, from the thickness of a straw to that of a goose-quill; somewhat quadrangular or twoedged; externally grayish-biown, longitudinally wrinkled, beset with small fibers, easily broken off; internally nearly white, the small wood-bundles surrounding a large pith; odor peculiar, aromatic; taste aromatic and pungent. it contains a large percentage of volatile oil which is often used in perfumery. This contains asarol, probably identical with linalool, its acetic and valerianic esters, methyl eugenol. Aromatic stimulant and tonic. Dose: 30 gr. (2 Gm.).
