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  • Cupiss' constitution balls for horses, cattle & sheep : are superior to all other medicine, and less expensive by reason of their lasting benefit, in cases of swelled legs, grease, cracked heels, surfeit, staring coat, colic, hide bound, loss of appetite, hove or blown, influenza, broken wind, strangles, sore throats, epidemic, coughs, colds, distemper, disordered liver, scouring, rot in sheep, gargate, conditioning, wasting, preserving health, &c. ... / Francis Cupiss.
  • Cupiss' constitution balls for horses, cattle & sheep : are superior to all other medicine, and less expensive by reason of their lasting benefit, in cases of swelled legs, grease, cracked heels, surfeit, staring coat, colic, hide bound, loss of appetite, hove or blown, influenza, broken wind, strangles, sore throats, epidemic, coughs, colds, distemper, disordered liver, scouring, rot in sheep, gargate, conditioning, wasting, preserving health, &c. ... / Francis Cupiss.
  • Erythrina crista-galli L. Fabaceae. Cockspur coral tree. Distribution: South America. The national tree of Argentina, its flowers are pollinated by perching birds unlike many other species which are pollinated by humming birds. An extract from the bark is used as a powerful soporific, also as a gargle for sore throats and in the treatment of cuts, rheumatism and hepatitis, in Brazil (Mors, 1998). The seed contains the alkaloid beta-erythroidine. Analgesics, antimicrobial and anti inflammatory substances are being sought from the leaves. Curare-like action in rats has been reported from the seeds. Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • Erythrina crista-galli L. Fabaceae. Cockspur coral tree. Distribution: South America. The national tree of Argentina, its flowers are pollinated by perching birds unlike many other species which are pollinated by humming birds. An extract from the bark is used as a powerful soporific, also as a gargle for sore throats and in the treatment of cuts, rheumatism and hepatitis, in Brazil (Mors, 1998). The seed contains the alkaloid beta-erythroidine. Analgesics, antimicrobial and anti inflammatory substances are being sought from the leaves. Curare-like action in rats has been reported from the seeds. Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • Carpobrotus acinaciformis (L.) L.Bolus Aizoaceae. Eland's Sour fig. Sally-my-handsome, its other common name is a corruption of Mesembryanthemum (acinaciforme) which was the genus ascribed to it by Linnaeus (1753) Succulent perennial. Distribution: South Africa. Antibacterial compounds have been isolated from it, it is rich in tannins. The leaf sap is used to treat infections of the mouth and throat. In South African ‘muthi’ medicine, the sap is used as a gargle for sore throats
  • Viola canina L. Violaceae Distribution: Europe. Culpeper (1650) writes 'Violets (to whit the blew ones, for I know little or no use of the white ones in physic) ... provoke sleep, loosen the belly, resist fevers, help inflammations, ... ease pains in the head, help the roughness of the windpipe, soreness in the throat, inflammations in the breast and sides, pleurisies, open stoppings of the liver and help the yellow jaundice'. 'Violet leaves, they are cool, ease pains in the head proceeding of heat, and frenzies, either inwardly taken or outwardly applied, heat of the stomach, or inflammation of the lungs.' It still has the same reputation in modern herbal medicine, and while its safety is not known, it is regarded as edible and flowers are used to garnish salads. Larger quantities are emetic – make one vomit. Not licensed for use in Traditional Herbal Medicines in the UK (UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)). Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • Capsicum annuum 'Masquerade' Distribution: Central and South America. This ‘domesticated species’ originated from Mexico (although the centre of Capsicum evolution was much earlier and from Bolivia) and includes the bland salad peppers and the hot chilli peppers, of which capsaicin (sometimes called capsicain), from the lining of the inside of the chilli, is the main active ingredient. Chilli comes from the Aztec language of the Nahuatl people. It was reputedly introduced to Europe by Columbus in the mid-15th century, but was cultivated in Mexico since 4,000 BCE and used in cooking since 7,200 BCE. After its introduction to Europe, its cultivation very rapidly became world-wide. It appears first as a description (Bock, 1539) with the name teutschem Pfeffer. The first illustration, as Siliquastrum, appears in Historia Stirpes commentarii insignis (Fuchs, 1542). Fuchs did not realise it came from the Americas, as he identified it as a plant described by Pliny, Dioscorides and Avicenna and gave their uses of it. It appear in Dodoen's Cruydeboeck (1551) and Lyte's translation (1557) with the note that it is 'hot and drie in the third degree.' He recommended it for dressing meat, and noted that it 'warmeth the stomach' and was good for a sore throat, scrofula, and topically got rid of spots. Fuch's had reported these properties as being described by Avicenna, but what that plant was is unknown. Lindley (1838) wrote: 'It is employed in medicine, in combination with Cinchona in intermittent and lethargic affections, and also in atonic gout, dyspepsia accompanied by flatulence, tympanitis, paralysis etc. Its most valuable application appears however to be in cynanche maligna [=severe sore throat, with impending suffocation] and scarlatina maligna [=severe scarlet fever], used either as a gargle or administered internally.' However, its principal use medically has been in pain relief, applied locally for pain from muscle injury to post herpetic neuralgia. Capsaicin acts on the pain and heat sensing neurones to make them trigger the sensation of pain at body temperature. Repeated exposure to capsaicin depletes the neurotransmitter substance P that is used to perceive pain, so the relevant nerves no longer transmit the sensation of pain/heat from any cause. It is a banned substance in the equestrian events at the Olympics because of its ability to stop perception of pain. Capsaicin has been shown, experimentally, to kill cancer cells by attacking their mitochondria. Particular interest has concentrated on its ability to reduce the size of tumours of the pancreas and prostate. Various cultivars are used in cooking, and the strength (i.e. how hot they are) is measured in Scoville units. A standard chilli pepper used in England would be around 5,000 Scovilles, the hottest peppers are rated over one million Scoville units. Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • Chinese C19 woodcut: 'Throat Wind' conditions
  • Chinese C19 woodcut: Throat conditions, tonsillitis
  • Chinese C19 woodcut: Throat conditions
  • Chinese C19 woodcut: 'Throat Wind' conditions
  • Chinese C19 woodcut: Throat conditions, scarlatina
  • Chinese C19 woodcut: Throat conditions, tonsillitis
  • Marrubium vulgare (White horehound)
  • Toux, affections des voies respiratoires, grippe : Pulmoserum / Laboratorios A. Bailly ; agente general en Cuba Henri Le Bienvenu.
  • Toux, affections des voies respiratoires, grippe : Pulmoserum / Laboratorios A. Bailly ; agente general en Cuba Henri Le Bienvenu.
  • A parody astrological diagram showing opposing aspects of the life of settlers in Jamaica: langorous noons and the hells of yellow fever. Coloured aquatint after A.James, 1800.
  • A parody astrological diagram showing opposing aspects of the life of settlers in Jamaica: langorous noons and the hells of yellow fever. Coloured aquatint after A.James, 1800.
  • Smilacina racemosa Desf. syn. Maianthemum racemosum (L.)Link Convallariaceae. False Spikenard, False Solomon's Seal, Scurvy berries, Treacle berries. Herbaceous perennial. Distribution: North America. Austin (2004) reports on Native American traditional usage: Cold infusion of the roots for sore eyes (Cherokee)
  • Seasonable suggestions / [Dr. Jayne Company].
  • Seasonable suggestions / [Dr. Jayne Company].
  • Smilacina racemosa Desf. syn. Maianthemum racemosum (L.)Link Convallariaceae. False Spikenard, False Solomon's Seal, Scurvy berries, Treacle berries. Herbaceous perennial. Distribution: North America. Probably introduced to England by John Tradescant the Younger in 1656 as it appears in his garden plant catalogue in Musaeum Tradescantianum in 1656. Austin (2004) reports on Native American traditional usage: a cold infusion of the roots was used for sore eyes (Cherokee)
  • Proof positive : this chart tells how your most vital food is made safe : read what the figures mean / Co-operative Union Ltd.
  • Proof positive : this chart tells how your most vital food is made safe : read what the figures mean / Co-operative Union Ltd.
  • Xanthorhiza simplicissima Marshall Ranunculaceae. Yellow root. Distribution: North America, where it was discovered by the plant collector and explorer William Bartram in 1773. Austin (2004) reports that of the Native Americans, the Cherokee use the crushed plant to make a yellow dye
  • Xanthorhiza simplicissima Marshall Ranunculaceae. Yellow root. Distribution: North America, where it was discovered by the plant collector and explorer William Bartram in 1773. Yellow-root. Austin (2004) reports that of the Native Americans, the Cherokee use the crushed plant to make a yellow dye
  • Directions for taking Crosby's Balsamic Cough Elixir / James M. Crosby.
  • Electricity in failing health : men and women of all ages, and in all stations of life should stop taking poisonous medicines & drugs & simply wear Dr. Carter Moffat's cool feather-weight electric body belt ... / Dr. Carter Moffat.
  • Directions for taking Crosby's Balsamic Cough Elixir / James M. Crosby.
  • Directions for taking Crosby's Balsamic Cough Elixir / James M. Crosby.