155. Chenopodium Vulvaria, Linn.—Stinking Orache.
Sex. Syst. Pentandria, Digynia.
(Herba.)
Chenopodium olidum, Smith, Eng. Flora. Atriplex foetida, Cullen, Mat. Med. vol. ii. p. 3,15. Stinking Goosefoot. Indigenous. Cultivated at Mitcham. Sold in the herb-shops as a popular emmenagogue and "strengthener of the womb." In the fresh state it has a nauseous taste and a strong offensive odour like that of putrid fish. By drying, it loses its smell, and probably its medicinal qualities also. Dr. Houlton and Mr. Churchill [Stephenson and Churchill's Medical Botany, vol. iv. pi. clxxvi. 1831.] declare that the popular notion of its emmenagogue powers is well founded. Dr. Cullen regarded it as a powerful antispasmodic in hysteria. The recent plant has been used in the form of infusion or tea, and conserve. Mr Churchill gave the inspissated juice or extract in doses of from five to fifteen grains.
Chenopodium ambrosioides, Linn., is said to be used indiscriminately with the preceding. Its odour is weaker and less offensive.
Chenopodium Botrys, Linn., is also esteemed anthelmintic.
