Asarabac'ca — Chambers's Encyclopaedia

Asarabac'ca (Asarum europæum), a plant of the natural order Aristolochiaceæ (see ARISTOLOCHIA), a native of Europe, growing in woods; but rare in Britain. The whole plant has acrid properties; the roots and leaves are aromatic, purgative, and emetic, and were formerly considerably used in medicine, especially in the preparation of snuffs used in the treatment of catarrh, &c.—A nearly allied species, A. canadense, a native of Canada, is stimulant and

A botanical illustration of a tall, slender plant with several large, heart-shaped leaves at the base and along the stem. The plant has a thick, segmented root system and a terminal cluster of small flowers.

A botanical illustration of a plant with a long, slender stem and several large, heart-shaped leaves. The plant has a thick, segmented root system and a terminal cluster of small flowers.

diaphoretic, and is used, under the name of Canada Snakeroot, instead of Aristolochia serpentaria. It is also called Wild Ginger, and used as a spice, being of a warm aromatic quality, and not acrid, like its European congener.