Oak of Jerusalem.

Botanical name: 

Botrys.

A little plant, native, of the warmer countries, and kept in our gardens, with leaves which have been supposed to resemble those of the oak tree, whence it got its name, and small yellowish flowers. The stalk is a foot and half high, roundish angulated a little, or deeply striated, and of a pale green; the leaves are of a yellowish green, and of a rough surface; they are oblong, somewhat broad pointed at the ends, and deeply cut in on the sides. The flowers stand in abundance of long spikes on the tops of the branches; they are very small and inconsiderable. The whole plant has a pleasant smell, particularly the young shoots, which are to bear the flowers.

The fresh plant is to be used, and it is best taken in the manner of tea, or in infusion. It is good in asthmas, hoarseness, and coughs, and it promotes the menses and discharges after delivery.


The Family Herbal, 1812, was written by John Hill.