Herbs from Scudder’s Pocket Case found in his The Essentials of Practice.

Dr. Michael Tierra L.AC., O.M.D.

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The Three Arterial Sedatives: veratrum, aconite and gelsemium.

1. Veratrum Viride (American Hellebore)

Liliaceae

Dried rhizomes and roots are used. Found in swamps, low grounds and moist meadows. Dose: 1 grain. (originally the weight of a single grain of wheat), 0.0648 of a gram.

Poisonous, circulatory depressant. Possibly works as a spinal and arterial depressant having no direct action on the spinal centers. It lowers the pulse rate and the force of the heart. In large doses it causes complete vaso-motor paralysis. It’s emetic action is probably caused by veratroidine and a resin. Nausea is always a signal for suspension of the use of the drug. Death is caused by asphyziation.

Both American Hellebore and White Hellebore (V. album) have similar properties.

Applied to the skin hellebore is a rubefacient. Small doses at first only lower the force of the pulse, later it is slowed. It will remain this way unless the patient exerts him/herself which will cause it to rise, become small, thin and almost imperceptible.

Toxic doses produce an exceedingly weak heart rate, reduced temperature, cold, clammy sweat, extreme retching, incessant vomiting, dizziness, faintness, failure of sight, pupillary dilatation, complete muscular prostration, slow, shallow breathing sleepiness, coma and unconsciousness. It is seldom lethal probably because of its prompt emetic actin.

Antidote: For poisoning, stop its use. Take large amounts of warm water to encourage emesis. Then undiluted whiskey or brandy to check vomiting.

Specific indications: paroxysms of auricular fibrillation. A fall of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Congestions, especially to the lungs, base of the brain, nausea, vomiting. Twitchings and convulsions. Specifically for excess, or sthenic conditions. Great prostration. twitchings and convulsions. Effects of sunstroke. Extreme quarrelsome irritability. Bloated and livid face. Meningitis. Tongue is white or yellow with a red streak down the middle. Feels scalded. Increased saliva.

External: It can be made into a salve or the tincture can be painted on boils, felons, carbuncles, abscesses, inflamed acne, cellulitis and other local inflammations. It is also specific for erysipelas. It is sometimes effective for rhus poisoning. A spray can be applied to the throat for tonsillitis but in restricted amounts. The salve can also be applied to all inflamed joints and painful parts of the body.

Internal: It is for excess or sthenic problems and not for deficient or asthenic conditions with a full, bounding pulse. It is usually taken in small frequent doses, trying to offset its emetic and gastrointestinal irritant reactions.

For sthenic fever, with full, bounding pulse. It is used for inflammation, idiopathic or traumatic, or puerperal septicemia or puerperal convulsions. Do not use when there is gastric irritability.

It is particularly indicated in Winter with conditions such as infectious pneumonia pleurisy, epidemic influenza. Give only at the early stages. The dose should be small and frequently repeated until the temperature and circulation respond.

It is useful for all acute inflammatory conditions of the sthenic type. Use it for articular rheumatism. Hypertrophy of the heart either with or without inflammation. Erysipelas of the excess, violent type. Inflammation of the peritoneum and septic peritonitis. Pelvic inflammation. Other conditions such as gonorrhea, mastitis, orchitis and ovaritis.

It can be used to relieve symptoms of acute high blood pressure. In small doses for nervousness.

It is not useful for common fevers but is occasionally indicated for malarial fevers. For sunstroke it is given in small doses every 10 or 15 minutes.

It is an alterative with probable detoxification effects on the lymphatics.

It is the most effective for puerperal convulsions. For post-partum eclampsia, with mania, inject a teaspoon every half hour for three hours. A full, nearly toxic dose should be used for this condition.

Veratrum is less valuable than aconite for cardiac hypertrophy, though it quiets palpitations when blood pressure is high and trouble is not caused by valvular incompetency.

It can relieve an irritable heart caused by excessive tobacco use.

According to Scudder:

A tincture from the root not fully dried. an ounce of the crushed root to 76 percent alcohol, one pint.

Dose, from a fraction of a drop to 3 drops

Veratrum from New York is the best. Also from north Carolina, northern Georgia. He says Western Veratrum is worthless. Dig the root in August or September. It should not be made from the fully dried root as the properties that cause it to exert its action on the sympathetic nervous system is severely compromised.

It is used to lessen the frequency of the heart’s action. Lessens the pulse but removes obstruction to the free circulation of the blood, thus giving slowness, regularity, freedom and equal circulation in all parts of the body. It is called arterial sedation.

The dose must be small but frequently repeated to produce the desired objective but without disturbing function or depression.

In large doses it is a sedative and can slow the heart even quicker but it can be depressing. It may paralyze the cardiac nerves.

It is a remedy for sthenia or excess conditions where there is frequent but free circulation. It is also a remedy where there is active capillary circulation in both fever and inflammation. A full bound pulse that is full and hard or a corded or wiry pulse if associated with inflammation of the serous tissues indicates this remedy.

Put 5 to 10 drops in a pint of water. give a teaspoonful every hour.

2.

Ranunculaceae

Grows in the mountains of Europe, Asia and Northwestern America

Poisonous: Maximum dose is 1 drop. Requires frequent dosing, every half hour or so. If used homeopathically (6th to 30th potency), even every 15 minutes.

Principle constituents: aconitine (C34, H47,O11,N) which is one of the most poisonous of al alkaloids. A single drop of aconitine in 100,000 parts of water will produce the characteristic tingling and benumbing sensation of aconite. Never taste the alkaloid. Other ingredients are aconine and benzaconine, both alkaloids, the latter a strong heart depressant.

Preparations: Specific Medicine Aconite. Dose 1/30 to 1/2 a drop. Usual dose is one to 10 drops in four fluid ounces of water. Mix. Take one teaspoonful every 1/2 to 2 hours.

Specific indications: Small and frequent pulse whether corded or compressible, with either elevated or depressed temperature and not caused by sepsis, is the most specific indication. Shock to the system, fear and anxiety are primary symptoms indicating its use.

It is specifically useful for the early stage of fevers with or without restlessness. Any condition characterized by a sudden and violent invasion causing a fever indicates its use. A sudden loss of strength. Diseases caused by exposure to dry, cold weather or even very hot weather, especially gastro-intestinal problems. It is a first remedy for inflammations and fevers but probably of little use at later stages. It is specific for early stages of influenza, arterial tension, emotional and physical mental tension.

Aconite is not indicated for any condition of tissue change such as the presence of pus. It is primarily indicated for functional disturbance (Yang protective function).

Chinese:

There are four forms of Aconite used in Traditional Chinese Medicine:

Aconitum carmichaeli praeparata (Fu Zi) in which the poisonous alkaloids have been neutralized through processing. Energy and Flavor: pungent, sweet, hot, toxic. Organ Meridians: Heart, Spleen, Kidney. It is used for internal warming. Frequently combined with cinnamon bark to tonify Kidney Yang. It warms the middle, dispels cold, relieves pain. Restores the Yang in cases of shock. coma, cold Damp Bi conditions (rheumatic). It is the safest form to use aconite. One method of preparation is to soak the chopped roots in vinegar for several days. Periodically is placed on the tongue. When there is no taste or tingling sensation, it is ready to dry for use. The Dose 3-9 grams boiled for at least one hour.

Aconiti coreani (Bai fu Zi) Energy and flavor: pungent, sweet, hot, toxic. Organ Meridians: spleen, liver and stomach. Uses: It is used to dissolve cold phlegm, wind, relieve convulsions, detoxify and disperse hardenings (swollen glands) and to treat snake bites. Dose is 3-5 grams in decoction boiled for at least one hour.

Aconitum Kusnezoffii (Zhi Cao Wu) Used for rheumatic conditions, it warms the channels and stops pain. It is used for severe cold stagnation pains, hernia, migraine, trauma, externally on tumors. Energy and Flavor: pungent, bitter, hot, toxic. Dose 3-9 grams. It is very toxic and should be cooked for at least 2 hours.

Aconite carmichaeli (Chuan Wu or Raw aconite) Energy and flavor: pungent, Bitter, hot and toxic. Organ Meridians: liver, heart, spleen. Dispels wind-damp, warms the channels, stops pain, expels wind, damp, cold. It is used for anti-neoplastic, Bi syndrome, hernia, internal cold/pain, liver cancer. 3-9 grams boiled for at least 2 hours.

According to Scudder:

German aconite is considered the best. Made by percolation an ounce for an ounce. In the office in can be made one ounce to a pint. Medium dose is 1/3 of a drop and the normal method is to put 5 to 10 drops in a pint of water. Give a teaspoonful every hour in acute disease. Every two hours in chronic disease. For a child of 2 years use two to five drops in a pint of water.

It is a stimulant to the sympathetic nervous system and increases the power of the heart to move the blood and at the same time helps the blood vessels for better passage. The same system of nerves that governs the heart governs the entire system of blood vessels. What influences one influences the other.

Aconite is also considered a sedative. This is true in the sense that it slows the pulse. The condition is when there is a lack of power in the heart and capillary system of the blood vessels. In small doses it lessens the frequency of the pulse by removing the obstruction to the flow of blood in the vessels and gives greater cardiac power.

It is indicated for all kinds of fever to control circulation and diminish the temperature. In the early stage of inflammation it will arrest it quickly. This may be the sedative action described.

It is specific for tonsillitis, mucus croup’s, colitis, dysentery from cold. For croup give it in the dose of one drop in a pint of water and a teaspoonful every 15 to 30 minutes. Rub stillingia liniment on externally.

Veratrum is when there is free circulation, full, bounding or cordlike pulse, excess condition with inflammation of the serous tissues. Aconite is used when there is difficult circulation a dilatation and need for tonicity in these vessels.

Veratrum is the remedy for sthenia and Aconite for asthenia

Used to slow the pulse especially when the pulse is small. A child’s sedative, treats the entire range of fevers and inflammations. Special effect on the larynx and throat, for quinsy and croup. Works on mucus membranes for acute disease of bronchial tubes or intestines. Can also be used for irritative diarrhea or in sporadic dysentery.

Dose: 4 to 5 drops in a pint of water. A teaspoonful every hour.

Chinese: It is classed as an emetic herb. Energy and flavors: pungent, cold, toxic. Organ Meridians: Liver and Lung. Secondary actions is that it resolves phlegm and kills internal parasites. It is used for seizures, epilepsy, stroke caused by Win-Phlegm. dose: .3 to 1 gram.

3. Gelsemium Sempervirens (Yellow jasmine, Carolina Jasmin)

Loganiaceae

Dried rhizome and roots.

Constituents: two bitter alkaloids: gelsamine, the paralyzing agent and amorphous gelseminine a very toxic and tetanizing principle, and a volatile oil. Poisonous.

Dose: 1/10 to 1 grain The usual method is to put 10 drops in a pint of water. Mix and take one teaspoon every 1 to 3 hours.

Specific indications: hyperemia; bright eyes, contracted pupils, great heat and nervous unrest; mental irritability, insomnia, with nervous excitement and high temperature; irritation of the urinary tract; dysuria with scanty secretion of urine; arterial throbbing, with exalted sensibility, pinched and contracted tissues, convulsions with hyperemia, thin, dry, unyielding os uteri, with dry and hot vaginal walls.

Action: it works mainly on the spinal cord, first impressing the sensory tract to the extent that it can produce complete anesthesia. Later its primary action occurs as it expends its force on the motor neurons causing paralysis of motion. Sometimes the sequence is reversed. It has little effect on the higher brain but on the motor filaments of the nerves of the head, particularly the 3rd and 6th cranial pairs. This is shown by its ability to relax the jaw in tetanus. Respiration is first stimulated then depressed. Moderate doses do not effect circulation. Toxic doses do depress the pulse rate and blood pressure. This can lead to convulsions. If dropped in the eye it will cause violent dilation of the pupils. Gelsemium is quickly absorbed and spends its force in about 3 hours. Not everyone is effected the same. some react very strongly while others are only slightly influenced by it. The smallest active doses (ranging from 5 to 15 drops of the extract) will cause a languid sense of ease and slight lowering and frequency of the pulse. Larger doses cause vertigo, disturbed sight and sometimes orbital pain. Continued doses may after several hours, cause vomiting; otherwise no significant effect on the stomach or bowels.

The major symptoms of poisoning are ptosis, diplopia, dropping of the lower jaw and absolute muscular prostration. Poisoning is rare. Treatment is the use of emetics if the patient is not too weak. Strong tannins (strong black tea for instance). The use of atropine to stimulate breathing with artificial respiration.

Specific indications: acute hyperemia of the brain and spinal centers. Nervous excitation and unrest, fever, spasms, pain. It relaxes high nervous and muscular tension by diminishing the velocity of blood to the head and spinal centers. It is never a remedy for congestion. It is a specific remedy for a child with a hot head and tremulous and jerky muscles, for great restlessness with elevation of temperature; for touch and grouchy feverish individuals who magnify their ailments and for those who dread the simple ordeals of life. It is used for exaltation of the nervous system. It antispasmodic but not so much as lobelia inflata or bromide of potassium. Scudder states: “the flushed face, bright eye, contracted pupil, increased heat of the head, great restlessness and excitation” are the classic indications for it.

It is not necessarily antipyretic but it does soften the blood pressure and thereby reducing the pulse. It overcome hyperemia associated with exalted nervous action, making it useful for some kinds of inflammations and fevers. This period of excitement is usually in the early febrile stage. When this nervous tension is relieved then its usefulness is ended. Continued use can imperil the integrity of the heart. It is only indicated for sthenic fevers. Other types of fevers with symptoms of soft pulse, moist skin, moist tongue and calm nerves one would use quinine or cinchona. Gelsemium can be used at the early stage of such fevers until things are quieted down to the point that other remedies would be more suitable.

Scudder states that in fevers: ” we find many times that its influence is very decided; it causes relaxation of the system; the pulse is less frequent and softer; the respiration is slower; the skin becomes cooler, soft and moist; there is less determination of blood to the head, and if there is pain in it, it is reduced or entirely ceases, while at the same time we frequently notice and increased secretion of urine.”

It should only be used for conditions of the robust or excess type with acute onset. If there is any sign of weak heart or disintegration of the blood it should be withheld at once. It is useful whenever their is exalted nervous tension.

It is specifically useful for sthenic fevers of childhood. The more the tendency towards convulsions, the more it is indicated. Infants are very sensitive to it and only the most infinitesimal fractional doses should be used. In inflammatory bowel disorders of children, particularly during teething, it is one of the most direct medicines, and is then most potent in enteritis, gastro-enteritis, cholera infantum and diarrhea and dysentery, all of which can occur during the second year. Always the direct guide is exalted nervous tension, increased heat of the head and body, brilliant and shifty eyes, great restlessness and the near explosive state. It can also be used to control convulsions.

For childhood spasms and infantile convulsions give the following: gelsemium, and lobelia each one ounce, one ounce of potassium bromide, four ounces of water. Mix. Dose: one teaspoonful every two hours for one or two days. The bowels should be thoroughly emptied by a copious enema of warm soapy water, and the child immersed in a warm bath with a cold pack to the head. If the spasms are caused by gastro-intestinal abuse, they will be so controlled; if they are the precursor to a more infectious disease or other diseases, and advantage will be gained by the use of Gelsemium.

Gelsemium is an important sedative in the early stage of acute bronchitis, and all forms of pneumonia. For sthenic type it is less often indicated than veratrum but will calm nervous manifestations and give rest. In acute febrile and inflammatory diseases it is effective for delirium and insomnia. This is particularly useful for influenza.

It is a remedy for pain if it is associated with nervous tension. It is therefore specifically useful for various types of neuralgia and neuritis when there is hyperemia, nervous irritability and intercostal neuralgia, ovarian neuralgia and sometimes sciatic neuritis or neuralgia. It is useful for sciatica so long as there is associated hyperemic conditions or increased blood flow to the area with reddening. For sciatica caused by sugar toxemia, pressure, injury, loaded caecum or pelvic subluxation it will not be effective.

It is a near specific for trigeminal neuralgia, caused by cold, dental caries, or periodontal inflammation. Toothache with violent throbbing often yields to this drug. It will give relief for tic douloureux with active circulation to the head. It can also be used for various forms of headache which active, throbbing pain. Occasionally it is useful for migraine. It is more effective for headaches caused by eyestrain.

It can be effective for painful menstruation or other gynecological disorders so long as it is caused by nervous excitement.

For scanty urine with hyperemic irritation of the renal organs and urinary passages it is very effective when given along with diuretics. It can be used to relieve the irritation of catheters. For cystic irritation from cold when the urge to pass urine is frequent but difficult, it should be given together with apis or eryngium. It is very effected for nephritis and cystitis. Its relaxant powers makes it also useful to facilitate the passage of renal calculi and cystic gravel.

For the inflammatory stage of gonorrhea it is of tremendous benefit. It can be combined with cannabis and aconite as follows: gelsemium one ounce, aconite 10 drops, cannabis one ounce, water four quarts. Take one teaspoonful every two or three hours.

For obstetrics gelsemium is extremely important. It is not so much for hemorrhage but it is the remedy to relax the os uteri or when the rim is thin and unyielding, holding the baby’s head as in a vise and there is dryness of the parturient canal. It quickly removes this obstacle, favoring normal secretions and facilitating labor. All sphincters are relaxed by full doses of gelsemium. During labor it is useful to overcome the great restlessness, fear and excitement experienced by nervous women, and by its calmative power rectifies jerky and ineffectual contractions. It mitigates the severity of pain and relieves the sense of heat and dryness complained by the patient. It also controls after-pains and nervous agitation that can follow a few days after parturition. For puerperal convulsions it is inferior only to veratrum and is also useful for eclampsia (a toxic condition associated with late pregnancy characterized by convulsions, edema and elevated blood pressure).

Chinese: Gelsemium elegans. The whole herb is used. Collected year round. Use fresh or dry. Energy and flavors: bitter and acrid, warm. Very toxic. Anti-inflammatory, anti-swelling, stagnant blood dispelling, analgesic, parasiticide, and insecticide, antipruritic.

It is used for eczema, tinea, traumatic injury, fracture, hemorrhoids, scrofula, boils, pyodermas, pretibal ulcer, leprosy. Macerate the fresh herb for external application. It also kills maggots. Folk antidote 1. large amounts of lard or peanut oil. 2. juice of centella asiatica and artificial respiration.

4. Lobelia inflata Preparation: use 6 ounces of the ground seed to an ounce of 98% alcohol. Dose: a fraction to 10 drops. It can also be made with apple cider vinegar. It is emetic, stimulant. Give small frequent doses so that emesis is achieved from its action on being absorbed in the blood rather than its irritating effect on the stomach. It strengthens circulation, improves enervation upon the sympathetic nervous system and increases all vegetative functions. This can happen as a result of a fraction to one drop. Use it for angina pains and other heart pains in one or two 20 drop dosage. For difficult labor from a rigid os, vagina or perineum. It also stimulates uterine contractions. For slow or difficult labor give an ounce of the tincture to 4 ounces of water, a teaspoonful every 15 minutes. It is a sedative somewhere between aconite and veratrum. Also use it for fevers and inflammations.

5. Atropa Belladonna Preparation of one ounces of the crude plant to an ounce of alcohol. Dose: maximum is 1 drop but frequently 1/5 to 1/2 drop will be even better.

Especially useful for children’s inflammatory and feverish diseases. The patient is dull, stupid and drowsy, sleeps with eyes partly open, expressionless countenance, dull eyes, pupils dilated or immobile, shallow respiration with imperfectly aerated blood. for such cases in the adult use 5 to 10 drops in a pint of water; for children 1 to 5 drops. Dose: a teaspoonful every hour. Aconite can also be given.

It can be used for diabetes insipidus. A Belladonna plaster across the loins being sufficient. For incontinence of urine with enfeebled pelvic circulation it is also very effective. It is also good to prevent scarlatina. It is used for enfeebled circulation with blood stagnation. good quality herb is extremely important.

6. Rhus Tox (poison ivy) inflammatory skin diseases, small fast pulse, ligaments, tendons, drawing or tearing pains of the limbs, worse during rest better with movement. Dose: 5 to 10 drops in a pint of water. 1 teaspoonful 2 or 3 times daily.

7. Bryonia Dose 5 to 30 drops in a pint of water; a teaspoonful every one, two or three hours. Full hard pulse, scanty urine, constipated. Used for rheumatism, worse with movement, pneumonia and catarrhal affections. For a short, dry cough.

8. Nux vomica (Strychnos Nux vomica) A tincture is prepared from the seeds using 98% alcohol. Place 10 to 20 drops in a pint of water and give in teaspoonful doses. It is a gentle stimulant and relieves irritation of the nerve centers, and gives rest. It is beneficial remedy for cough in bronchitis and in asthma.

9. Ipecac (Ipecahuanha) Make a tincture of the root 3 ounces to an ounce of 98 percent alcohol. Dose is a fraction of a drop to five drops. It is a specific upon the mucus membranes, relieving irritation, arresting inflammatory processes. It improves circulation and enervation, increases nutrition and thus favors functional activity. It is a specific for cholera infantum. It relieves stomach irritation, gradually checking the frequency of the bowels, restores tone and functional activity. Aconite is frequently prescribed with it. It is also useful for infantile pneumonia along with aconite and veratrum. Ipecac may prove effective in these conditions within 3 days. It is also very effective for diseases of the respiratory tract of adults. It is also prescribed for muco-enteritis either alone or with aconite. It can be used for dysentery, especially in the sporadic form from cold. In small doses it serves as a stimulant for the entire digestive tract, associating it with bitter tonics, or other restoratives.

10. Phytolacca decandra (Poke weed) Preparation and Dose: Use fresh root, 6 ounces to a pint of 98% alcohol. Dose is a fraction of a drop to 5 drops. Loses properties when it dries. Powerful purifier especially of the glandular system. gonorrhea, syphilis, orchitis, parotitis, sore mouth (either children or adults). Sore throat, tonsillitis. chronic skin diseases.

11. Asclepias tuberosa (pleurisy root) Use a tincture from the recently dried root, ounce for ounce. Dose is 1 drop for a child and up to 10 drops for an adult. It is a diaphoretic and particularly useful for children. Even in small doses of one drop along with the use of special sedatives it will markedly increase true secretions from the skin. There is a difference between sweating and secretion. Even with profuse perspiration there may be little secretion of toxins. Excretion from the pores of the skin is vital and is done by the secreting cells. It occurs best when the skin is soft, moist and not necessarily covered with sweat. It allays nervous irritability, slightly sedative and increases skin secretion. It can be used with veratrum and aconite in inflammatory diseases and in mild cases alone. It is a feeble remedy and not too much can be expected of it.

12. Macrotys or Cimicifuga racemosa (Black cohosh) Preparation: tincture from the fresh root gathered in September. Use one ounces of 76% alcohol to 6 ounces of freshly dried herb. It is a specific for rheumatism. In one type of rheumatism there is a propensity towards the need for alkali’s and another is the need for acids. In both cases there is a special lesion to the nervous system. Macrotys directly influences the nervous system, relieving rheumatic pain, when not the result of inflammation, and probably corrects the diseased condition (formation of lactic acid?) which is the cause of the inflammatory condition. It is a remedy for all rheumatic pains. Those that are of a rheumatic and neuralgic condition it is specific. In some cases, the pain will clear up in a day. It also influences the reproductive organs, relieving irritation, irregular enervation, and strengthening normal functional activity. With Pulsatilla it is specific in many cases of dysmenorrhea. It should be given 3 or 4 days before menses is due. It is also useful for amenorrhea. It will relieve rheumatic pains of the uterus and will also help prepare the womb for childbirth. The heavy, tensive, aching pains are the main indication for its use.

Scudder’s second row of 12 bottles

13. Apocynum
14. Pulsatilla (anemone pulsatilla) Pasque flower; Ranunculaceae. Toxic. Dose: 1/10 to 10 drops. or mix 5 to 30 drops in a pint of water. Mix. Take one teaspoonful every 2 or 3 hours. It is specific for nervousness and despondency, sadness and disposition to weep, without being able to say why, or to weep while asleep; fear of impending danger or death; morbid mental excitation associated with physical debility; marked depression of spirits; insomnia, nervous exhaustion, pain, with debility; headache with nervousness, neuralgia in anemic subjects; mental depression and gloom over reproductive wrongs and disturbances such as spermatorrhea, late or insufficient menstruation (with a sense of fullness and weakness in the back and hips); nervous collapse, due to overwork, excessive sexual indulgence, chilliness and depression, dysmenorrhea, gloomy mentality and chilliness, pain from exposure to winds; styes, stomach disorders from indulgence in pastries and fats, pasty, creamy or white tongue coat with a greasy taste; thick, bland and offensive mucus discharges, alternating constipation and diarrhea with venous congestion. It is useful for nervous phases associated with both acute and chronic diseases. It is mostly indicated for women and children and generally highly sensitive individuals, in mental disorders, in stomach derangement and disorders of the reproductive tract and debility and faulty nutrition of the nerve centers. The indications are always depression and irritability with melancholy and sadness and a tendency towards negativity. Scudder introduced it into the Eclectic practice, and considered its most important use to allay irritation of the nervous system in individuals of feeble health, giving sleep, and rest, preventing unnecessary expenditure of nerve force and facilitating the action of tonics and restoratives. It has a wide field of action in both men and women for reproductive disorders and leucorrhea. It has some value in rheumatic pains that tend to move and shift. Depression of spirits being the prominent feature. Chinese: Radix pulsatillae chinensis (Bai tou Weng) The root is used to clear heat and relieve toxicity. Primarily for dysenteric disorders. Dose 6-15 gms.
15. Baptisia	20. cuprum
16. Collinsonia	21. Podophyllin
17. Drosera	22. Quinia
18. Arsenicum	23. Ferrum
19. Chelidonium	24. Carbo Vegatalis

His third row of 17 incidentals

25. Cactus 26. Apis   27. Graphites   28. viburnum   29. Sticta   30. Boletus   31. Eupatorium   32. Ergot

33. Permanganate of Potash 34. Morphia   35. Santonine   36. Hydrastine   37. Nitrate of Sanguinaria, 38. Eryngium   39. Natrum of Soda   40. Phosphorus

A second case:

42. Muriatic acid   43. Nitric Acid   44. Sulphurous Acid   45. Tincture of Muriate of Iron   46. Chlorate of Potash

47. Sulphite of Soda 48. Bicarbonate of Soda   49. An Emetic   50. Sesqui-Carbonate of Potash

 

 

Miscellaneous Herbs and Remedies

 

Great Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis)

Rosaceae

Chinese name: Di Yu

Common name: Garden Burnet, Common Burnet

Herb, Root

Energy and flavors: Bitter, Sour, slightly Cold

Organ Meridian: Liver, Stomach, Large Intestine

Actions: Cools the blood and stops bleeding, consolidates fluids, detoxifies.

Used for Blood Heat (especially in the Lower Jiao), burns, skin disease

Western usage: Culpepper says “the continual use of it preserves the body in health and the spirits in vigor… Two or three cups of the stalks, with leaves put into a cup of wine, especially claret, are known to quicken the spirits, refresh and cheer the heart, and drive away melancholy. It is

a special help to defend the heart from noisome vapours, and from infection of the pestilence, the juice thereof being taken in some drink, and the party laid to sweat thereupon.” He also recommends it for wounds, taken both internally and externally.

Dose: 10-15 gms

Polygonaceae

Grows in China, Tibet and naturalized in other parts of the world.

Constituents: anthraquinones, chrysorobin, glucoside, oxalate of calcium.

Dose: 5 to 30 grains.

Properties: laxative, astringent

Specific medicine: Syrup of Rhubarb 1/10 to 60 drops.

Beach’s Neutralizing Cordial or Physic: coarsely ground pulverized peppermint with equal parts rhubarb root. Add 1/2 pint of boiling water, cool, strain, sweeten with sugar or honey to taste, add a tablespoonful of brandy. One or two drops of peppermint oil can also be added. Dose 1 to 4 tablespoons.

Glyconda made by John Uri Lloyd was one of the most famous Eclectic remedies. It was made with glycerin as a sweetening agent with hydrastis and cinnamon bark. To this one can also add ginger root to further prevent griping and peppermint oil. In making Glyconda do not use so much rhubarb that it will strongly purge, nor add so much hydrastis that it is too bitter. The flavor should be pleasant and sweet.

Specific indications: gastric irritation, with elongated, reddened tongue, nausea, vomiting, irritative diarrhea, with tender abdomen on pressure. Light colored fecal discharges, marked nervousness, restlessness and severe convulsive abdominal spasms. Sour-smelling discharges relieved by glyconda or powdered rhubarb.

Actions and indications: Rhubarb is a stimulant to the gastro-intestinal tract, in sufficient doses it increases muscular contraction and rather than increasing secretions, this is what causes the cathartic action. This is probably caused by the anthracene body, emodin. It probably does increase bile secretion. It usually purges in four to eight hours and the stools are usually not watery. The passage is attended by mild griping which is why it is good to combine ginger root to the formula.

It is an ideal laxative and cathartic according to the dose. In small amounts it is a gastro-intestinal stimulant and tonic. promoting gastric secretions and insuring good digestion. It is a tonic laxative making it useful for children, occasionally for women (not recommended), and the aged.

It will treat both diarrhea and dysentery as well as constipation. Smaller doses are tonic and will treat diarrhea while larger doses are more tonic.

Neutralizing Cordials described above are one of the best correctives for gastro-intestinal disorders caused by overeating or change of water. It has three special qualities: 1. rhubarb is an ideal gastric sedative which will counteract any irritation. This may be accompanied by sourish and burning eructations, bowel discharges that contain sour and fermented material. For this condition there is no more pleasing antacid than potassium bicarbonate, though the tongue may show more pallor than redness, sodium bicarbonate may be better for the latter. The aromatic qualities of the cordial derived from the peppermint oil and herb make it a grateful carminative and make it pleasant for children. Full doses 4 teaspoonful act as a laxative. Felter says, usually a tablespoonful is enough to clear the intestines of undigested and irritating material.

They are useful to cleanse the GI tract of both fermentative and irritative material. The remedy should be given freely until the color of the stools whose the characteristic color of the medicine (yellowish).

As a tonic, it may be continued in much smaller doses at less frequent intervals. No remedy is more effective for irritative diarrhea. Take two or three teaspoons at a time.

It is the ideal remedy for childhood gastro-intestinal disorders, it will create an appetite, relieve pain and flatulence. Headaches with sourish eructations caused by indigestion will also be effectively treated.

It is the most effective remedy for diarrhea caused by a change of drinking water and diet when traveling. It is one of the best compounds handed down from the early eclectic pharmacy.

Chinese: Rhizoma Rhei, (Da Huang); Energy and flavor: Bitter, cold, Organ Meridians: spleen, stomach, large intestine, liver, pericardium. Properties: 1. purges heat, removes constipation, 2. cools the blood, 3. invigorates the blood and removes stagnation, 4. benefits the gall bladder. Uses: It is used for constipation, blood heat with bleeding, blood stagnation, damp heat jaundice. Dose 3-12 grams.

Zedoary (Curcuma Zedoaria)

Zingiberaceae

Chinese name: (Pong Er Zhu)

Common name:

Dried Rhizome

East Indies and China

Constituents: volatile oil, fixed oil, pungent, resin, curcumin, starch, mucilage and an alkaloid

Energy and flavors: Pungent, Bitter, Warm,

Organ Meridian: Liver and spleen

Actions: Regulate blood, anti-tumor, invigorate Qi, stop pain

Used for carcinoma, tumor growth, food retention

Western usage: Used as a condiment in curries, it is classified as an aromatic, stimulant, for flatulent colic, weak digestive organs, Dose is 10 grains to 1/2 drachm or 10 to 30 drops of the fluid extract.

Dose: 3-9 gms