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Webster 1913 Edition

Noun.

(Bot.)

A plant (

Ranunculus Ficaria

of Linnæus) whose tuberous roots have been used in poultices as a specific for the piles.

Forsyth.

Noun.

A plant of the genus Ranunculus.

pilewort ‎(usually uncountable, plural pileworts)

Any of various unrelated plants traditionally supposed to be effective in treating piles (hemorrhoids), especially
1. Erechtites hieracifolia, or fireweed, a plant in the aster family;
2. Ficaria verna (formerly Ranunculus ficaria), lesser celandine, a plant in the buttercup family.