Angostura Bark is the aromatic bitter medicinal bark obtained chiefly from Galipea officindlis, a tree of between three and six metres high, growing in the northern regions of South America, of the natural order Rutaceae. The bark is valuable as a tonic and febrifuge, and is also used for a kind of bitters (Angostura bitters). From this bark being adulterated, indeed sometimes entirely replaced, by the poisonous bark of Strychnos Nux Vomica, its use as a medicine had been almost given up by around 1900. Research Angostura Bark
Angelica is a genus of umbelliferous plants, one of which, Angelica sylvestris, a tall plant bearing large umbels of white flowers tinged with pink, is common in wet places in Britain, and was formerly believed to possess angelic properties as an antidote to poison, a specific against witchcraft, etc. The name is also given to an allied plant, the Archangelica officinalis, found on the banks of rivers and ditches in the north of Europe, once generally cultivated as an esculent, and still valued for its medicinal properties. It has a large fleshy aromatic root, and a strong-furrowed branched stem as high as a man. It is cultivated for its agreeable aromatic odour and carminative properties. Its blanched stems, candied with sugar, form a very agreeable sweetmeat, possessing tonic and stomachic qualities. Research Angelica
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is an evergreen shrub of the heath family growing on the barren moors of Scotland, Northern Europe, Siberia, and North America. The leaves, under the name of uva ursi, were formerly used in medicine as an astringent and tonic. Research Bearberry
Black currant (Ribes nigrum) is a deciduous shrub of the family Saxifragaceae native to Asia, north and central Europe. It has erect spineless twigs, and alternate stalked leaves that are three- to five-lobed, the lobes pointed and coarsely toothed. The flowers are small, greenish-white in colour and arranged in loose pendulous racemes in the leaf axils. The fruit is an edible - though very bitter - globose black berry.
Black currant has been cultivated for its fruit for hundreds of years, and has been used as a general tonic - presumably due to its high vitamin C content - since at least the 16th century. Research Black Currant
Noneset or thoroughwort (Eupatorium perfoliatum) is a useful annual plant of the natural order Compositae, indigenous to America, and easily recognized by its tall stem, about 140 cm in height, passing through the middle of a large double hairy leaf, and surmounted by a broad flat head of light purple flowers. It was formerly much used as a domestic medicine in the form of an infusion, having tonic and diaphoretic properties. Research Boneset
The buck-bean (Menyanthes trifoliate) or bog-bean or marsh-trefoil is a perennialherb of the family Gentianaceae. It has a thick, far-creeping rhizome which bears alternate, long-stalked trifoliate leaves with sheafing bases and an erect leafless stem topped by a raceme of numerous five-lobed white or pinkish coloured flowers. It is common in boggy soils and at the edges of ponds and lakes, and is found in England, Europe and North America. It is a bitter tasting plant and was once used as a tonic. Research Buck-bean
Chloranthaceae is a natural order of apetalous exogens, allied to the peppers, and, like them, having an aromatic fragrant odour. They are natives of the warm regions of India and America. Chloranthus officinalis is reckoned a stimulant and tonic of the highest order. Research Chloranthaceae
Coptis is a small genus of plants of the family Ranunculaceae. Two species of which, Coptis trifolia (gold-thread), found in Canada and the northern parts of the United States, and Coptis teeta of Assam, yield a bittertonic used medicinally. Research Coptis
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Angostura Bark
