KIDNEYWORT.

Description:

Cotyledon Umbilicus. It is also called Navel Wort, Wall Pennyroyal, and Wall Penny wort. It has many thick, flat, and round leaves growing from the root, each having a long footstalk, fastened underneath, about the middle of it, and a little unevenly weaved sometimes about the edges, of a pale green colour, and rather yellow on the upper side like a saucer; from which arise one or more smooth, hollow stalks, half a foot high, with two or three small leaves thereon, rather long, and divided at the edges; the tops are divided into long branches, bearing a number of flowers, round a long spike one above another, which are hollow like a little bell, of a whitish green colour, after which come small heads, containing small brownish seed. The root is round and smooth, grayish without; and white within. It grows upon stone or mud walls, upon rocks, and in stony places upon the ground, at the bottom of old trees, and on those that are decayed. It flowers in May.

Herbal Remedies and Medicinal Uses of Kidneywort:

The juice and the extract are reputed for the cure of Epilepsy. The juice allays inflammations and heat of the liver, stomach, and strengthens the bowels. The juice of the herb outwardly applied restrains St. Anthony's fire, or erysipelas. It heals pimples, sores, etcetera; and taken inwardly it relieves inflamed kidneys, and is good in all gravelly complaints. Made into an ointment, it is good for the piles, for gouty pains, sciatica, and swelled testicles; the ointment, or the juice alone is good for scrofula sores, chilblains. It stops the bleeding of green wounds.