Frostwort
Where To Found It: Eastern United States.
The official name comes from the Greek helios (the sun)
and anthemon (a flower). The genus differs from the Cistus
in having imperfectly three-celled instead of five or ten-celled
capsules. Two distinct varieties of the species are known, the early
and late flowering forms. They grow in sandy soil, from 6 to 12
inches high, with upright stems, branching or almost without branches,
leaves light or dark green, small and lanceolate, and flat, yellow
flowers, solitary or in terminal clusters. The popular names spring
from the peculiarity of thin, curved, ice-crystals projecting in
early winter from fissures in the bark near the root. The taste
is astringent, slightly aromatic and bitter. It has no odour.
A volatile oil, wax, tannin, fatty oil, and a glucoside that will
crystallize into white needles. Chlorophyll, gum and inorganic salts
were also found in Helianthemum Corymbosum.
Modern Uses: Antiscro fulous, astringent,
alterative and tonic. It has for long been used in secondary syphilis,
diarrhoea, ulcerations, ophthalmia, and any conditions arising from
a scrofulous constitution. Locally it is useful as a wash in prurigo
and as a gargle in scarlatina, and in poultice form for scrofulous
tumours and ulcers.
It is said that an oil helpful in cancer has been obtained from
it.
It may be combined with Corydalis Formosa and Stillingia, in secondary
syphilis, and the infusion may be used in chronic diarrhcea and
dysentery.
An overdose may produce nausea and vomiting.
Other Names: Cistus. Frostweed. Frostplant.
Rock Rose. Canadisches Sonnenroschen. Helianthemum Ramultoflorum.
Helianthemum Rosmarinifolium. Helianthemum michauxii. Helianthemum
Corymbosum. Cistus Canadensis. Lechea Major. Heterameris Canadensis.
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