MADDER.

Description:

Rubia Silvestris. It has many long weak four-square, reddish stalks, trailing on the ground, rough and hairy, and full of joints : at every one of these joints come forth divers long and narrow leaves, standing like a star about the stalks, rough and hairy, at the tops come forth many small pale yellow flowers and then small round heads, green at first and reddish, but black when they are ripe, wherein is contain­ed the seed. The root is long, and deep in the ground, red and very clear while fresh. It grows in cornfields, and flowers at the end of summer.

Herbal Remedies and Medicinal Uses of Madder:

It has an opening quality, and afterwards binds and strengthens. It is a sure remedy for the yellow jaundice, by removing obstructions of the liver and gall, and cleansing those parts; and also obstructions of the spleen. It is good for palsy and sciatica, and for inward and outward bruises, and is much used in vulnerary drinks. The root may be boiled in wine or water, as the cause requires, and some honey and sugar added. The seed taken in vinegar and honey, reduces the swelling and hardness of the spleen. The leaves and roots beaten and applied to any part that is discolored with freckles, or any such deformity of the skin, takes them away.

THE DYE MADDER, Rubia Tinctora, is chiefly valued for the excellent dye which it furnishes. This plant has been said to possess the same properties, to be diuretic and an emenagogue, and was formerly much used in dropsy, jaundice, and female complaints.