The Caper Shrub.
Botanical name:
Capparis.
A COMMON shrub in France and Italy, and kept in our gardens. The pickles which we know under the name of capers, are made of the buds of the flowers, but the part to be used in medicine is the bark of the roots.
The shrub grows to no great height; the branches are weak, and ill able to support themselves, they are tough and prickly: the leaves stand irregularly, and are of an oval or roundish figure; the thorns are hooked like those of the bramble; the flowers, when full opened, are purplish and very pretty: the fruit is roundish.
The bark of the root is to be taken in powder, or infusion; it is good against obstructions of the liver and spleen, in the jaundice, and hypochondriac complaints: it is also commended in indigestions.
