 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Economic Botany Collections
Royal Pharmaceutical Society Collection at Kew
 |
| Selection from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society spirit collection at Kew |
|
This photo shows some of the spirit collection included in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s donation. Spirit collections hold plants and plant parts in alcohol to preserve their morphology. The following medicinal uses for these plants come from Theophilus Redwood’s Supplement to the Pharmacopoeia (1857). From left to right, the specimens are: STYRACACEAE Styrax benzoin.These 'Palembang benzoin' flowers come from Singapore. They were donated to the Pharmaceutical Society in 1883 by R. Jamie. The resin from the bark of this species acts as a stimulant, especially for the lungs, it could also be used to treat uterine problems. EBC 53381 SOLANACEAE Datura metel. These flower samples from the hoary thorn-apple were presented to the Society by S. Rohatagi in 1949, they are from the Ayurvedic Drug Gardens in Kaupur, India. The seeds from this plant are narcotic and can produce temporary idiocy. Its leaves can be bruised and mixed with those of Cordia myxa and applied to the forehead to treat headaches. EBC 53418 LOGANIACEAE Strychnos ignatii. The fruit of the Ignatius bean is very bitter. Consumption of them can cause vomiting and convulsions, however small doses of it have been used to cure agues (chills and fevers). In India it has been used as a cure for cholera, where it is called Papeeta. EBC 53414 |