Stimulants

Stimulants are substances capable of increasing the action or energy of the body. Pure, diffusible stimulants act in harmony with the laws of life, and therefore assist nature in her efforts to overcome disease; while acrid and narcotic stimulants produce local irritation, exhausting the powers of nature:

The above are all pure stimulants, acting in harmony with the laws of nature; but cayenne is the best, and the one most depended on in the botanic practice; it is stimulant, antispasmodic, aperient, and expectorant; it is valuable for raising the vital heat of the body, and for promoting free perspiration; it is an excellent article used as a gargle for the throat, combined with sumach berries and myrrh.

 
BLACK PEPPER

Comes next to cayenne as a stimulant, and may be substituted when the other cannot be got. It is more astringent; and less active; it is also aromatic and febrifuge. The white pepper is the same article, with the outer skin removed.

GINGER.

There are two kinds, the black and white. The latter is the best as a medicine. It is a warm, aromatic root, and, in syrup or tea, is good to relieve pain arising from wind.

WILD GINGER

Is a native of Canada and the United States. It is also known as Canada Snake Root. It is nervine, stimulant, and diaphoretic, and is good in measles, all cutaneous diseases, intermittent fevers, &c. An overdose causes vomiting.

MUSTARD

Is used chiefly for poultices. A teaspoonful of the white mustard seed, three times a day, is good in dyspepsia and costiveness.

PEPPERMINT

Is stimulant, aromatic, sudorific, anti-spasmodic, pungent, and anti-emetic. Dr. Beach recommends the fresh herbs, bruised, and applied to the pit of the stomach, for the cure of nausea, and the bowel complaint in children.

 
PENNYROYAL

Is stimulant, emmenagogue, carminative, aromatic, and diaphorectic. A strong decoction is good for all kinds of colds, fevers, suppression of urine and gravel, and is beneficial in obstructed menstruation. GOLDEN ROD

Is stimulant, aromatic, diuretic and diaphoretic, good in debility, colds, and gravelly complaints. The leaves are gently astringent, to be used in strong decoction.

CLOVES

Aromatic, stimulant and anti-scorbutic. An article often much adulterated.

ALLSPICE

Is moderately stimulant; highly beneficial for children who are cutting their teeth, with relaxed bowel; strengthens the nerves of delicate women, and promotes the " menses."

NUTMEG

Is stimulant, aromatic, anodyne, stomachic, astringent, exceedingly useful in diarrhoea and dysentery. We have often stopped a relax in the bowels by giving equal quantities of roasted nutmeg (powdered) and powdered rhubarb. One teaspoonful every two hours in a little water.

HORSE RADISH.

Good in chronic rheumatism, palsy, dropsy, and debility.

SPEARMINT

Is stimulant, diuretic, anti-spasmodic. An infusion will promote perspiration. It is good to allay nausea and vomiting. It is also beneficial in gravel, suppression of urine, &c It must not be boiled, but infused. One ounce of the dry leaves to one pint of boiling water. Dose: A wine glass full as often as the stomach will bear it. This also makes a good lotion for the piles.

CATMINT OR CATNIP

Good in hysteria and nervous affections, dyspepsia, and for removing wind, either in adults or children.

SUMMER SAVORY.

Good for poultices in inflammatory complaints, as a substitute for mints, and for female obstructions.

VIRGINIA SNAKE ROOT.

Tonic and diaphoretic, promotes perspiration, and strengthens the stomach. Dr. Beach says: "Warm to sweat, cold to strengthen."

PRICKLY ASH

Is an excellent stimulant, and may be used in all cases where one is required; good in rheumatism, cold hands and feet, fever and ague, &c.