Germander
Description. Germander has a spreading creeping root, which sends forth several square hairy branches, scarce a foot high, having two small leaves at every joint, on short foot-stalks, about an inch long, and half an inch broad, cut in with several sections, something resembling in shape the leaves of an oak, somewhat hard and crumpled, green above, and hoary white underneath. The flowers grow towards the tops of the branches among the leaves, whorle-fashion, of a purplish red colour; they are labiated, the lip turning upward; but they want the galea, having in its place several stamina standing erect. The seeds grow four together in the hairy five-pointed calyces. Place. It grows with us only in gardens.
Time. It flowers in June and July. The leaves and tops are used. Government and virtues. Germander is an herb of warm thin parts, under Mars, opening obstructions of the liver, spleen, and kidnies; and of use in the jaundice, dropsy and stoppage of urine. It is a good enemagogue; and is commended by some as a specific for the gout, rheumatism, and pains in the limbs. It is undoubtedly a good vulnerary, both detersive and healing; and it is a proper ingredient in pectoral decoctions. Some extol it for a great antiscorbutic, but the brook-limes exceed it in this particular which abound in subtle pungent parts, and therefore are better suited to cut those viscidities which are the cause of scorbutic blotches. The juice is very justly recommended among the rest of the antiscorbutic juices to be taken in the spring for some time, especially by persons who drink much ale, and are of a gross habit of body.