REST HARROW.

Description:

Ononis Arveusis.—A little tough and almost shrubby plant, common in dry fields, and by road sides. Some call it Cammock. It is one or two feet high. The stalks are round, reddish, tough, nearly woody. It has numerous leaves, three standing on each foot-stalk, close to the stalk. There are several short and sharp prickles about the stalks, principally at the insertions of the leaves. The flowers are small, purple, and stand among the leaves towards the tops of the stalks, shaped like pea-blossoms, but flatter, each is followed by a small pod. The root is white within, long, tough, and woody.

Herbal Remedies and Medicinal Uses of Rest Harrow:

It removes obstructions in the kidneys. The bark of the root powdered is a good remedy for the stone. It should be taken in wine. Matthiolus says that it cures the disease called Hernia Carnosa, the fleshy rupture, by taking the powder for some months constantly, and that it has cured some which seemed incurable by any other means than by cutting or burning. The decoction is an excellent diuretic; and it is very powerful to open obstructions of the liver and spleen. It is celebrated as a remedy for rheumatism, especially the chronic. Though it may not be successful in every case, it can do no harm. It has been known to cure many cases that had long resisted other means. The powder of the root made into an electuary, or lozenges, with sugar, also the hark of the fresh roots boiled tender and afterwards beaten to a conserve with sugar, has the like effect.