Ceanothus officinalis.
Botanical name:
CEANOTHUS OFFICINALIS, Raf. (C. americ. L.) Jersey tea, Red root. Small shrub, with a red root, imparting the color to water and alcohol. Excellent antisyphilitic and antiscrofulous: it is astringent, depurative and laxative. The root is better than the leaves, these were used as a tea, similar to Bohea, in the war of the revolution. The roots die red, and make a red ointment with lard, very good for scrofulous and syphilitic sores. The powder, infusion and tincture are used. It is a specific in the hands of many empirics to cure the gonorrhea in three days, without bad consequences, by the decoction. It is even useful in inveterate syphilis and chronic tumors. Probably equivalent of Stillingia.
