114. Parietaria officinalis, Linn.—Common Wall-Pellitory.
Botanical name:
Sex. Syst. Tetrandria, Monogynia.
(Herba.)
This is a common indigenous plant, which was formerly in great repute as a diuretic and lithontriptic. By some practitioners it is still highly esteemed. It is used in calculous and other urinary affections, and also in dropsies. The expressed juice may be taken in doses of one or two fluidounces. Or the decoction (prepared by boiling ℥j of the herb in a pint of water) may be substituted. The extract has also been used. On account of a nitrate which the plant contains, the extract is said to have taken fire in making it. [Withering, Arrangement of British Plants, 7th edit. vol. ii. p. 217.]
