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Germander, Wall
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Germander, Wall
The Common or Wall Germander (Teucrium Chamaedrys) is a native
of many parts of Europe, the Greek Islands and also of Syria, being
found near Jerusalem, but in England is scarce and hardly indigenous
being chiefly found on the ruins of old buildings and in other places
where it has escaped from cultivation. It was formerly much cultivated
in this country for medicinal purposes. The roots are perennial and
creeping, the square stem, 6 to 18 inches high, erect, much branched,
leafy. The opposite, dark green leaves are 1/2 to 1 1/2 inch long
and indented, somewhat like an oak leaf, hence the name Chamaedrys,
from chamai (ground) and drus (oak). The name Germander
is considered also to be a corruption of Chamaedrys. The French term
this plant Petit Chêne, from the shape of the leaves,
as well as Chasse fièvre, from its use in medicine.
The rose-coloured, labiate flowers, which bloom in June and July,
are in three to six flowered whorls, in the axils of leafy bracts,
and in leafy, terminal spikes. The whole plant is almost roughly
hairy.
The fresh leaves are bitter and pungent to the taste and when
rubbed, emit a strong odour somewhat resembling garlic.
Germander will grow in almost any soil and is propagated by seeds,by
cuttings taken in spring or summer, and by division of roots, in
the autumn. Plant about a foot apart each way.
Modern Uses: Stimulant, tonic, diaphoretic,
diuretic. Germander acts as a slight aperient, as well as a tonic.
The reputation of Germander as a specific for gout is of very
old date, the Emperor Charles V having been cured by a decoction
of this herb taken for sixty days in succession.
It has been employed in various forms and combinations, of which
the once celebrated Portland Powder is one of the chief instances.
It was also used as a tonic in intermittent fevers, and is recommended
for uterine obstructions.
The expressed juice of the leaves, with the addition of white
wine, is held to be good in obstruction of the viscera.
Possessing qualities nearly allied to those of Horehound, a decoction
of the green herb, taken with honey, has been found useful in asthmatic
affections and coughs, being recommended for this purpose by Dioscorides.
The decoction has also been given to relieve dropsy in its early
stages.
- Culpepper tells us that it is:
- 'most effectual against the poison of all serpents, being drunk
in wine and the bruised herb outwardly applied.... Used with honey
it cleanseth ulcers and made into an oil and the eyes anointed
therewith, taketh away dimness and moisture. It is also good for
pains in the side and cramp.... The decoction taken for four days
driveth away and cureth tertian and quartan agues. It is also
good against diseases of the brain, as continual headache, falling
sickness, melancholy, drowsiness and dulness of spirits, convulsions
and palsies.'
He further states that the powdered seeds are good against
jaundice. The tops, when in flower, steeped twenty-four hours in white
wine will destroy worms.
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