Histamine Powder

Translated Textbook of Biological Remedies, 1938, was written by Dr. Gerhard Madaus. - Brigham Tea

Various types of ephedra growing wild in Mongolia are mentioned in the old Chinese pharmacopoeias as diaphoretics and antipyretic, as well as for coughing. Herbae Ephedrae conc. (Kuzmitsch herb) in Russia is peristaltic and diuretic. Scientists differ widely on the parent plant of this drug, and consequently there is still great confusion in the pharmaceutical literature. Ephedra vulg applies in many textbooks (eg Meyer-Gottlieb, Exp. Pharm., P. 433, 1935.). var .. helvetica as the parent plant of the Ma Huang drug, with others the Ephedra intermedia Schnk. var. tibetica Stpf. the E. equisetina Bunge et al. (Wehmer, Die Gemüsestoffe, Vol. I, p. 523, Vol. II, p. 1286, 1929; Supplement, p. 80, 1935.). The following should be noted here. The ephedrine occurs in the European species only in a very negligible amount (Miller, Arch. F. Pharm. 1902, 240, 481.). The crude alkaloid ephedrine was first found by Jamanashi in 1885 in the Chinese drug Ma Huang, purely represented from the same byNagai 1887 and 1892 (Nagai, Ph. Ztg. 1887, p. 621.), from which the name ephedrine also comes. Only the green branches, not the older ones, are suitable for alkaloid extraction, the roots are alkaloid-free, they should contain another base. In order to clarify which ephedrine drug is the most effective, the Tang Teng-Han dissertation in Berlin (Tang Teng-Han, Contributions to the Pharmacology of Ephedrine Drugs, Dissertation. Berlin 1929.) is very welcome. It corrects some of the earlier work on ephedrine and also brings further literature. On the detection of 1-ephedrine and other ephedrines in Ephedra vulgaris Rich. var. helvetica Hook et Thoms cf. also Wolfes (Wolfes, Arch. Pharm. And Ber. Pharm. Ges. 1930, 268, 327 (CC 1930).). According to Wasicky (Wasicky, Lehrb. D. Physiopharm., P. 523, 1932.), the drug Mupen-Ma Huang, which is hardly exported from China, comes from Ephedra equisetina Bunge, while the drug Tsaopen-Ma Huang, which is the European import product, comes from Ephedra sinica Stapf or Ephedra Shenntiana Tang is won. effect Hübotter (Hübotter, Contributions to Knowledge of Chinese and Tibetan-Mongolian Pharmacology, p. 119, Berlin-Vienna 1913.) writes about the use in Chinese-Mongolian folk medicine as follows: opens the hair pores, heals insults caused by both wind and cold; medicine heals headache, prevents the pneuma from rising when coughing with fever and chills, is effective against various types of cough, against red and black poison (?), against rashes caused by toxic winds, against anesthesia of the skin and the flesh (i.e. superficial) and deep anesthesia) against redness and painful swelling of the eye, against water retention and wound retention. Too large doses of medicine cause a very strong sweating, ruin the male principle (which results in death). Do not use the medicine in the summer months. prevents the pneuma from rising when the cough is accompanied by fever and chills, is effective against various types of cough, against red and black poison (?), against rashes caused by toxic winds, against skin and meat anesthesia (i.e. superficial and deep anesthesia) against redness and painful swelling of the eye, against water retention and wound retention. Too large doses of medicine cause a very strong sweating, ruin the male principle (which results in death). Do not use the medicine in the summer months. prevents the pneuma from rising when the cough is accompanied by fever and chills, is effective against various types of cough, against red and black poison (?), against rashes caused by toxic winds, against skin and meat anesthesia (i.e. superficial and deep anesthesia) against redness and painful swelling of the eye, against water retention and wound retention. Too large doses of medicine cause a very strong sweating, ruin the male principle (which results in death). Do not use the medicine in the summer months. against anesthesia of the skin and meat (i.e. superficial and deep anesthesia) against redness and painful swelling of the eye, against water retention and wound retention. Too large doses of medicine cause a very strong sweating, ruin the male principle (which results in death). Do not use the medicine in the summer months. against anesthesia of the skin and meat (i.e. superficial and deep anesthesia) against redness and painful swelling of the eye, against water retention and wound retention. Too large doses of medicine cause a very strong sweating, ruin the male principle (which results in death). Do not use the medicine in the summer months. To produce sweat, take the saplings, the ends of which have broken off, and cook them by letting them soak up more than ten times and remove the floating foam. Or you can cook in vinegar broth for a short time and then dry preparatively in the sun. You can also use a honey decoction. To make sweat stop, you use root pieces. " However, the indications correspond more closely to the effects of Equisetum arvense. Both plants are very similar. The characteristic hemostatic effect of ephedra is also present in Equisetum arvense. The Chinese indications are therefore to be used with caution. In Europe, the ephedrine obtained from the drug Tsaopen-Ma Huang (see p. 1261) was mainly used therapeutically until the high demand made synthesis necessary and led to the production of the racemate. The extensive literature published on the use of ephedrine cannot be reproduced here, just a few works on the most important indications of ephedrine should be mentioned: It is preferred for allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma, hay fever, urticaria and angioneurotic edema (Althausen and Schumacher, Arch. Of Intern. Med. Chicago 1927, Vol. 40, p. 851; Swanson, Journ. Of Pharm. 1929, Vol 36, p. 541; Brown, Ann. Of. Internal Medic. 1929, Vol. 3, p. 591.). ( Brown describes it as the most effective oral treatment against these affections.) For migraines based on allergies, it has been successfully prescribed by Andersen (Andersen, Medizin. Welt 1932, No. 6, p. 199.). Taterka and Hirsch (Taterka and Hirsch, Medizin. Klinik 1928, No. 42, p. 1624.) recommend it against serum sickness . Andersen and Homan (Andersen and Homan, Am. Journ. Of Med. Sc., Philadelphia 1927, Vol. 174, p. 738.) proved itself against Pertussis, Muir and Chatterjee (Muir and Chatterjee, Ind. Med. Gaz. 1928, April, p. 198.) against nerve pain in leprosy. Ephedrine was shown to be very helpful in one case of gallstone and kidney colic (Ambrose, Brit. Med. Journ. 1929, II, p. 985.). Parkhurst (Parkhurst, Brit. Med. Journ. 1930, Dec. 27) saw good results in this condition, probably due to the tonification of the sphincter by ephedrine in enuresis nocturna . In addition to the indications already mentioned, Marino (Marino, Gazz. D. Ospedali e d. Cliniche 1930, Vol. 51, No. 45.) also mentions: chronic bronchitis with emphysema, bronchiectasis, erythema, eczema, Quincke's edema, anaphylactic symptoms, dysmenorrhea , hypertrophic rhinitis, arterial hypotension, circulatory disorders and collapse. The ephedrine treatment in narcolepsy and severe somnolence gave very good results (Wilmaers, Presse méd. 1930, No. 28, p. 474; Dovle and Daniels, Journ. Of the Amer. Med. Assoc. 1931, Vol. 96, No. 17 , P. 1370 and others); as Haddor (Haddor, Lancet 1932, II, p. 420.) assumes, due to the fact that it frees sugar from the liver which then enters the circulation. The Adam-Stokes complex of symptoms also reacts favorably to ephedrine administration (Wood, Journ. Of the Amer. Med. Assoc. 1932. Vol. 98, No. 16, p. 1364.). By administering about 0.03 g every 8 hours, over longer periods, it is often possible to suppress the seizures completely for a long time - 1½-2½ years (Higley and Stecher, Brit. Med. Journ. 1934, p . 27.). Ostrowski (Ostrowski, Center Org. F. Chirurgie 1932, Vol. 60, p. 173.) saw ephedrine to have a good effect against circulatory weakness, which often occurs in children after severe burns. As a mild adrenaline-like circulatory agent, ephedrine and ephetonin (the synthetically prepared ephedrine.hydrochloricum) Siebeck (Siebeck, Münchn. Med. Wschr. 1935, No. 1, p. 17.) have proven themselves in the treatment of cardiac patients in cases where digitalis or Strophanthin could not be given. Schotte (Schotte, Presse médicale 1933, No. 70, p. 1365.) also praised ephetonine in doses of 0.05-0.1 g or ephedrine as a means of remedying excessively low blood pressure during spinal anesthesia. Fröhlich (Fröhlich, Die ärztliche Praxis 1936, H. 10, p. 250.) believes that through the prophylactic use of ephedrine, the reduction in blood pressure and the interfering with the implementation of lumbar anesthesia. U. could be prevented at all. According to Tomasson (Tomasson, Progress of Therapy 1934, No. 9, p. 567.), manic-depressive insanity in the manic stage can be achieved by quickly administering the attack by administering ephedrine and acetylcholine. The mydriatic effect of ephedrine is used in ophthalmology (Günsberg, Arch. F. Augenheilk. 1890, Vol. 22, p. 177, among others). The effect of ephedrine is very close to that of adrenaline, but it is less toxic and has the great advantage of also acting per os (Kreitmair, Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Arch. 1927, vol. 120, p. 189, vol. 143, p. 358 .), so that in some indications it is often prescribed instead of adrenaline, which is only effective for injections (Takàzs, Vienna. Klin. Wschr. 1928, II, p. 1375.). Contrary to this view, Hendrych (Hendrych, Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Arch. F. Exp. Path. U. Pharm., Vol. 182, H. 6, 1936.) showed that based on experiments at heart, ephedrine could not be equated with adrenaline is, so that it can not be used as a substitute for adrenaline in the indications of cardiac and circulatory weakness. Merck (Merck's Annual Reports 1929, p. 105.) was able to show that there is a difference in the effects between ephedrine and adrenaline by combining the two substances to prolong the duration of action, which significantly exceeds that of the individual body. It begins at the sympathetic endings, narrows the vessels and increases blood pressure (see 26.) (weaker but more persistent than adrenaline) (Meyer-Gottlieb, Exp. Pharm., P. 434.), after low doses more than after high (Rothschild, Zschr. fd ges. exp. Med. 1931, Vol. 76, p. 412.). However, the use of ephedrine as a vascular agent is very significantly restricted by what is known as ephedrine tachyphylaxis, ie the fact that, when repeated injections are made at shorter intervals, the vessels no longer respond to the new stimulus (Schaumann, Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Arch. F. Exp. Path. and Pharm., vol. 160, p. 127, 1931.). With severe vascular insufficiency that is likely to require repeated injections, the ephedrine is unable to replace the adrenaline. Ephedrine dilates the bronchi(Pollak and Robitschek, Vienna. Klin. Wschr. 1926, No. 26.) (an effect to which the application against bronchial asthma is to be attributed) and the pupils and contracts the intestine due to the excitation of the smooth muscles (Poulsson, Lehrb d. Pharmakol., p. 200.). The respiratory center is excited (Kreitmair, Münchn. Med. Wschr. 1926, No. 51.), as is the uterus (Reinitz, Skand. Arch. Physiol. 1929, Vol. 57, p. 138; Curtis, J. of Pharmacol. 1929, vol. 35, p. 333.). The blood sugar value is increased (Cannaco, Riv. Pat. Sper. 1929, Vol. 4, p. 256.). After prolonged administration, ephedrine causes insomnia (Janota, Med. Klin. 1931, No. 8, p. 279; Doyle and Daniels, Journ. Of the Amer. Med. Assoc. 1931, Vol. 96, No. 17, p. 1370.), urinary retention and constipation were also observed (Balyeat and Rinkel, Journ. Of the Amer. Med. Assoc. 1932, Vol. 98, No. 18, p. 1545.). In a 27-year-old patient, Tiefensee (Tiefensee, Münchn. Med. Wschr. 1931, No. 43, p. 1824.) saw insomnia, tachycardia and general nervous restlessness with tremor of the hands after long use of ephedrine. Dermatitis occurs occasionally (Ayres and Anderson, Journ. Of the Amer. Med. Assoc. 1931, Vol. 96, No. 17, p. 1370.). In frogs, ephedrine causes respiration and pulse to become faster and clonic cramps, then paralyzes cardiac activity and breathing and thus leads to death (Miura, Berlin. Klin. Wschr. 1887, No. 38, p. 706.). Vondráček (Vondráček, čas. Lék. Česk. 1932, p. 613.uf) carried out a large-scale experiment, which tested the effects of quinine, strychnine, yohimbine, harmine and ephedrine on the muscle in 12 soldiers. It was found that ephedrine is best used to increase therapeutic performance because of all the substances mentioned, it had the greatest effect on muscle strength as well as on the will to overcome fatigue. The plant reaches its maximum level of 1.3 % ephedrine in autumn. It also contains pseudoephedrine, methylephedrine and others. Other types of ephedra, in particular the European ephedra vulgaris rich, also contain ephedrine, but in large quantities pseudoephedrine, which has a much weaker effect, but on the other hand has a strong diuretic effect due to dilatation of the kidney vessels (cf. 7) .). In addition to ephedrine, a new alkaloid, ephedin, was found in Chinese ephedra (Chou and Mei, J. Physiol. 8, 161-166, 1934 (CC 1935).). In homeopathy, the species Ephedra vulgaris is rarely used. According to Heinigke (Heinigke, Handb. D. Hom. Medicinal Effect., P. 248.) in struma with exophthalmos and headache try. Application in practice based on literature and a question: According to its effect on the organism, Ephedra vulgaris is prescribed mainly for allergic diseases and arterial hypotension. Specifically , ephedra is given with very good results in bronchial asthma and catarrhus aestivalis. Engel , Munich, who takes Ephedra "Teep" D 2, 1 or 2 tablets four to four times a day for hay fever, particularly emphasizes that there were never any heart problems. The remedy is also popular for urticaria and Quincke's edema, but it can also be used for dietary eczema. In case of hypotension , Runck, Ludwigshafen recommends Ephedra alternating with Essentia aurea. Ephedra has also proven itself in X-ray hangovers. Ephedra is also indicated for chronic bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema, acute rhinitis and pertussis (according to L. Weissel, the ephedra "teep" is one of the best remedies that causes almost immediate secretion of mucus) and is finally used for goiter with exophthalmos, headache and rheumatism . At Basedow, you will not get ahead with the sole prescription of ephedra, but it will be useful in conjunction with Lycopus Ø. Applied plant part: Dragendorff and Clarke name branches and flowers as plant parts used. Hager speaks of the aerial, vegetative parts of the plant. According to Gessner, the leaves contain ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. According to Thoms, the drug consists of the flowering branches. Wehmer leads the branches . The European form contains ephedra. also ephedrine, but it is hardly considered for the manufacture of the remedies. If used, double the amount would be necessary. Rather, Herba Ephedrae is a drug from China that, according to Wasicky (after E. Gilg and Schürhoff), comes from Ephedra sinica Stapf or E. Shenntiana Tang. It is Tsaopen-Ma Huang (see above). The drug consists of young branches of a rod that broom-like originate from shorter or longer, woody, knotty ax pieces . There are no flowers. The parent plant contains very small amounts in spring, in autumn up to 1.3% and more, the full-fledged drug against 1% alkaloids. The "Teep" is made from this East Asian drug as long as there are no fresh plants harvested in the fall from our own crops. The HAB. gives fresh leaves and branches of Ephedra vulg. Rich. for obtaining the essence of (§ 3).

Translated Textbook of Biological Remedies, 1938, was written by Dr. Gerhard Madaus. - Eyebright

Name: Euphrásia officinális L. Eyebright. French: Euphraise officinale, Casselunettes, luminet; English: Eye-bright; Italian: Eufrasia, eufragia; Danish: comforting from the oil; Lithuanian: Akyšveite; Polish: Swietlik; Russian: Oczanka; Czech: Svetlik lekařský, ambrožka; Hungarian: Szemviditó. Name origin: Greek: ε_φρασíα (euphrasia) = cheerfulness, well-being. The plant probably got its name because of its medicinal properties, but perhaps also because of the beautifully drawn flowers that are pleasing to the eye. The use against eye diseases, which is probably due to the fact that one saw the "signature" of the eye in the drawing of the flower, has given the plant the German name Eyebright, as well as its French and English names. Popular names:In many areas of Upper Germany the people have aptly observed that the cute little plant affects the grass growth in the area (as a half parasite), thus reducing the feed of the cattle and thus (indirectly) reducing the milk yield of the grazing cattle: Ohmdfresser (Swabian Jura) , Heuscheln (St. Gallen), wolf, meadow wolf, -grind (Carinthia), milk thief (e.g. Austria, Tyrol, Styria, Swabia, Switzerland), milk rogue (Defereggen, Styria), milk carts (Carinthia, Katschtal), milk raven = robber (Tyrol), Weidieb (Graubünden), Noinzela = Nitchtsnutzle (Swabian Alb), Gibinix = Give nothing (Switzerland). On the appearance of the flower (compared to the "Zieger", the residue that remains when making cheese?): Schafzieger (St. Gallen), Augste (n) -Zieger (Graubünden, St. Gallen), Röserlbleaml, Wilde Röserl (Upper Austria). Indications of folk medicinal use: Breast tea (Northern Bohemia), toothwort herb, white Ruhr herb (Austria). Botanical:The eyebright is an annual, up to 30 cm high plant with an upright, simple or knotty stem. The sedentary, coarsely sawn leaves are broadly ovate or wedge-ovate-lanceolate. The flowers consist of a four-toothed calyx and a two-lipped flower crown. It is white, bluish or red-purple. The helmet-shaped, curved upper lip is two-lobed with a folded back hem. The lower lip is three-pointed with nine dark vertical stripes and a yellow, sometimes lighter, sometimes darker. The four stamens are under the upper lip, while the scar protrudes from it. The flowers are five-petaled. The fruit is a small, crimped capsule. Euphrasia officinalis L. grows gregariously on meadows, heaths and in dry, light forests. She is a half parasite, who lies at the roots of grasses with his house tories (suction roots). This parasitism appears to be essential for the development of the reproductive organs. Linné's species E. officinalis has recently been broken down into various forms. Flowering period: June to October. Distribution: Europe. Historical and general: The real eyebright is not mentioned in the writings of antiquity, rather we find it only in the literature of the Middle Ages, where it is described in detail, especially in the herbal books of the 16th century. The first somewhat awkward drawing is brought up by the Hortus Sanitatis (Mainz, 1485) under the name Egifragia. According to H. Bock , various plants bore the name eyebright; The "noble eyebright of Strasbourg" that he praised as an excellent remedy for jaundice is our kind. We get a very detailed description of the properties and effects through the "Reformed German Pharmacy" by H. Ryffius (Strasbourg 1573). Camerarius the Younger tells that Melanchthononce suffered from an eye flow that no doctor could cure. Then a guardian spirit appeared to him in the form of a doctor who advised him of Euphrasia, and in two days Melanchthon was healed. Matthiolus writes in his Kreuterbuch: "Eyebright is a principal to the stupid and whimsical eyes in all sorts of ways. First of all in the diet you can eat the fresh herb / or stale and powdered in the food. Then in the Artzney / there destroyed you put the green herb on top of your eyes / or you put the printed juice on it. But it is better / that you burn water out of it / that is alleviated and softer to reported eyebrows. You also make wine from eyebright at the time of the harvest / there you put the herb in the must / and let it rejuvenate. " In later folk medicine, the infusion of the plant was drunk against all colds of the mucous membranes, used as an envelope for fingerworms and to expel tumors and suppuration. Various folk customs are also linked to the plant. So the farmer uses the winter seed for her: if the flowers appear first on the tip of the stem, then an early winter comes and it must therefore be sown early. effect In most medieval herbal books, Euphrasia is often cited and recommended as "strengthening the face", for example in the Hortus Sanitatis (Hortus Sanitatis (Garden of Health), 1485, cap. 160.), with Ryffius (Ryffius, Reformierte Deutsche Apoteck, Strasbourg 1573.) , Bock (Bock, Kreutterbuch, 1565, p. 121.), who also applied them against jaundice, including Paracelsus (Paracelsus Sämtl. Werke, Vol. 1, p. 530, 1012.), who did not disagree with the theory of signatures has freed one from the mystical ideas of its time, connects the effect on the eye with the flower drawing. For a long time forgotten , the eyebright was recommended again in a brochure published by Kranichfeld in 1857 (Kranichfeld, cit. B. Clarus, handb. D. Spec. Pharmaceutical, 1860, p. 1003.), specifically against catarrhal ailments of the eyes (for internal and external use) and as a specific against all diseases caused by poisoning (alcohol, tobacco). Kneipp (Kneipp, Seb., The Great Kneipp Book, p. 905, Munich 1935.) praised it as a stomach-enhancing bitter agent. Dostál writes to me about the use in Czech folk medicine : According to Veleslavin (1), the eyebright should be added to the food in fresh or dry condition against weak and cloudy eyes. You can also instill the juice or a distillate directly into the eyes. Euphrasia also cures dizziness, headache and jaundice. An infusion of Euphrasia is placed as an envelope on watery eyes. č. Zibrt (2) lists old lay recipes in which powdered eyebright with bread soaked in beer is recommended to strengthen the eyes. The juice can also be instilled directly into the eyes. The eyebright is collected and dried in spring and summer. The macerate from the leaves heals and strengthens weak eyes (Silesia) (3). Eyebright tea is also popular as a gastric tonic (4). In Silesia it is used against warts (5). Literature: (1) Veleslavin, 1596, 368 a; (2) č. Zibrt, Vavák (čL. XVII. 234); (3) Vluka, Slez. apat. (čL. VIII. 53); (4) Polivka, Květena III. 116; (5) Mosler, Lid. léč. od Opavy (čL. XV. 49). Potter (Potter, Mat. Med., P. 280.) considers the Euphrasian tincture, taken a few drops every two hours, to be a very valuable remedy for attacks of acute runny nose with severe lacrimation , as well as for hay fever and Coryza during measles. For inflammation of the eyelids and conjunctiva and the associated nasal catarrh, Euphrasia is indicated according to Bohn (Bohn, The healing values ​​home. Plants.). Hahnemann (Hahnemann, i. Hufelands Journal, vol. 26, II., P. 22.) writes about the homeopathic effect of eyebright : "According to Murrey , if the euphrasia has cured inflammation of the eyes and the eyes, it should be able to do so by another force , than by the property through which she can create a kind of eye inflammation for herself (according to Lobelius, Bonner and Sim. Paulli )? " The herb contains tannic acid ("euphrastannic acid"), bitter substance, chromogen providing blue dye, probably matching rhinanthin, some fatty and essential oil, aromatic, resinous substances (Wehmer, Die Pflanzenstoffe, p. 1124.), the latter according to Melton and Sayre(Melton, WE, and Sayre, LE, J. Amer. Pharm. Ass., 14, 308, 1925 (CC 1925.) are said to represent the effective principle Geßner (Geßner, O., The poisonous and medicinal plants of Central Europe, p. 170.) has often caused poisoning of grazing cattle. Use in folk medicine outside the German Empire (according to personal messages): Denmark: various eye problems. Lithuania: internally for breast problems; externally for eye problems. Norway: For eye diseases (IR-K.). Application in practice based on literature and a question: Euphrasia (used internally and externally) is a popular remedy for eye infections and eye weakness. Individual indications are: blepharitis, conjunctivitis, iritis, poor eyesight, dacryocystitis, glaucoma, maculae corneae and corneal ulcers. The remedy is also useful for mucous membrane diseases such as bronchitis with poorly soluble mucus, measles catarrh, rhinitis, especially runny nose, beginning hoarseness, hay fever (if the eyes are affected), blenorrhea and flu. It is also used as a stomach medicine for stomach weakness, indigestion, loss of appetite, gastritis and hyperacidity and finally for jaundice . It should also be taken into account for dermatitis and scrofulous rashes. Due to the nerve-stimulating and antispasmodic effects, Kraft, Pfeddersheim recommends the use against headaches, hysteria and insomnia. Ruta graveolens can be recommended as an alternating agent. Applied plant part: Paracelsus prescribed the juice of the herb. Bock recommends the flowering herb. According to Geiger, the flowering plant without root, Herba Euphrasiae, was official. Zörnig and Thom call to the heyday collected plant without roots. I think the most suitable for the preparations is the fresh flowering plant (collecting time July to October) without root (since it often uses the roots of other plants as a parasite), from which the "teep" is also made. Homeopathic mother tincture according to the HAB .: Whole fresh flowering plant (§ 3).

The Family Herbal, 1812, was written by John Hill. - Nettle Leaf

Botanical name: Urtica dioica Urtica. Also see: Nettle - Roman Nettle. A plant too common to need much description. It is three feet high; the stalks are angulated and rough; the leaves are large, and of a beautiful shape, regularly from a broad base diminishing to a sharp point, and nicely serrated round the edges; the colour of these and of the stalks is a dusky green, and they are both covered with a kind of prickles, which easily make their way into the skin, and have at their base, a hollow bag of sharp juice, which gets into the wound, occasioning that swelling, inflammation, and pain that follows. The naked eye may distinguish these bags at the bottom of the prickles on the stalk of a full grown nettle, but a microscope shews them all over. The flowers of the nettle, are yellowish, little, and inconsiderable, the seeds are small, and round, the root is long and creeping. The juice of the nettle is good against overflowings of the menses. The root is to be given in infusion, and it works powerfully by urine, and is excellent against the jaundice.

King's American Dispensatory By Harvey Wickes Felter and John Uri Lloyd 1898 - Oregon Grape

Botanical Source.—Berberis aquifolium is a shrub having stems about 6 feet high, erect, and of rapid growth. The leaves are alternate and consist of 3 or 4 pairs of leaflets, and an odd one. They are evergreen, coriaceous, bright and shining upon the upper surface, and very ornamental; hence, the shrub is frequent in cultivation, often under the improper name "holly." The leaflets are smooth, ovate, from 2 to 3 inches long, and one-half as wide. They are acute, sessile, pinnately veined, and the margin is indented with from 15 to 30 repand spiny teeth. The lower pair of leaflets is from 1 to 2 inches distant from the base of the common petiole. The flowers are numerous, small, yellowish-green, and appear in early spring, borne in fascicled, terminal racemes. The calyx has 9 distinct sepals, colored like the petals and disposed in 2 rows, the outer of which consists. of 3 sepals (bracts?). The petals are 6, distinct, orbicular, and in rows of 3 each. The stamens are also 6, and opposite the petals; they have irritable filaments, and extrorse anthers, opening, each by 2 little valves, hinged at the top. The fruit, which is known as "Oregon grape," is a cluster of purple berries, each containing an agreeably acid pulp, and from 3 to 9 seeds. History.—This is a tall shrub, native of the western section of the United States. It grows from Colorado to the Pacific Ocean, and is especially abundant in Oregon and the northern part of California. Berberis aquifolium belongs to the section Mahonia of the genus Berberis, which section is considered by some botanists a distinct genus, The following synopsis of the difference between the two sub-genera is taken from "Berberidaceae " (a pamphlet by C. G. and J. U. Lloyd, 1878): "The Berberis proper has simple leaves clustering in the axis of a simple or 3-parted spine. The petals have two glands on the inside of each, at the base. The filaments have no teeth. Berries 2 to 3-seeded. "Mahonia has oddly, pinnately, compound leaves, with no spine at the base, but with spiny-toothed leaflets. The petals are glandless. The stamens have a tooth on each side of the filament, near the top. Berries 3 to 9-seeded." The section "Mahonia" is represented in the western United States by six species, viz.: Berberis pinnata, Lag., a tall shrub with the general appearance of B. aquifolium, distinguished from it by the leaflets, which are glaucous underneath, and the lower pair approximate to the base of the petiole; Berberis repens, Lind., a small creeping plant, with leaves often ternate, and leaflets nearly orbicular, and which has been much confounded, and frequently described as Berberis aquifolium. Berberis nervosa, Pursh, a small erect shrub, with leaves often longer than the stem—it appears to be more generally distributed than the other species. The chief characteristics of this species are, the leaflets are three-veined from an oblique base, the common petiole is jointed "like a bamboo stem," and the flowers are in slender racemes. The two other species, B. Fendleri and B. Fremonti, are of rare occurrence. Berberis aquifolium and the other species long in use in domestic practice throughout the West, were brought into general notice a few years since by Parke, Davis & Co., of Detroit, who gave the remedy great conspicuity. Dr. Bundy, of Colusa, Cal., wrote many papers on its therapy; these were published in their journal, "New Preparations." From an examination of the drug, as thrown upon the market, we find the species are confounded, several of them being generally sold as B. aquifolium. The B. nervosa is more commonly met within these sophistications, but we have likewise noticed B. repens in considerable amount. The confusion is, perhaps, unimportant from a therapeutical point, as all the Mahonias are bitter, and seem to contain berberine in nearly the same proportion (see Related Species). Description.—The root of Berberis aquifolium is from ½ to 1 inch in diameter, often increasing to 2 and 3 inches at the base of the stem. It is woody, yellow throughout, very hard. The bark is deep-yellow beneath and brown upon the surface. It is without odor and very bitter. The roots of the other species of Mahonia are smaller; the B. pinnata more nearly approaching the B. aquifolium in size; the B. repens is the smallest of any of the known species. Chemical Composition.—Berberis aquifolium contains berberine, a yellow alkaloid (see Hydrastis), berbamine, and oxyacanthine, both white alkaloids, and phytosterin, gum, and sugar. The flowers contain, in addition to the above alkaloids, volatile oil, and the berries contain malic acid. The presence of berberine renders both root and bark bitter. The white alkaloid, oxyacanthine (C19H21NO3, Rüdel), which forms soluble salts with most acids, is itself practically insoluble in water, soluble in hot alcohol and hot ether, and slightly so in cold alcohol and cold ether. It dissolves freely in fats and volatile oils, and in chloroform and benzol. It is alkaline, bitter, and in the presence of sunlight changes color, becoming yellowish. Iodic acid is reduced by it with the liberation of free iodine. With nitric acid a yellow color is produced, which, when heated, changes to purple. Cold sulphuric acid turns it brownish-red; on heating it changes to a vivid red, and finally a brown, color. With ferric chloride, in dilute solution of potassium ferricyanide, a blue color is produced with salts of oxyacanthine. Other names have been given this alkaloid to avoid confounding it with products of a species of thorn-apple, the Crataegus Oxyacantha. Thus vinetine was applied to it by Wacker, while Berzelius christened it berbine. Berbamine (C18H19NO3) is a white alkaloid the salts of which dissolve slightly in solutions of Chili saltpetre (nitrate of sodium). These salts strike a blue color with ferric chloride in a weak solution of ferricyanide of potassium. Phytosterin (C26H44O.H2O) is a neutral body (found also in Calabar bean, Physostigma venenosum, Balfour), differing from cholesterin, which it closely resembles, by its solution in chloroform not having any affect on polarized light. Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—This agent has justly been extolled as an alterative and tonic, and has been recommended in syphilitic affections, salt-rheum, pityriasis, psoriasis, and other cutaneous affections, as well as in maladies supposed to be due to some mal-condition of the blood. Excretion and secretion are promoted by it; digestion and assimilation improved; the lymphatic glandular system and the ductless glands are stimulated; and the renal secretions somewhat augmented. Thus it acts as a blood-maker, and is therefore a remedy to oppose depraved conditions of the body-fluids. As a tonic, it may be employed as a synonym of hydrastis, colombo, berberis, etc., possessing in addition its own peculiar virtues, in dyspeptic conditions, chronic mucous maladies, and in certain enfeebled conditions of the system, etc. Owing to its invigorating power over the gastric functions, it is a valuable remedy for atonic dyspepsia, and more particularly if associated with hepatic torpor, for which it is also an excellent remedy. A cirrhotic liver, associated with gastro-enteritis, has been benefited by it, and for chronic constipation it is a useful agent when combined with cascara sagrada. It is said to be effectual in stomatitis. The great field for berberis aquifolium is in constitutional syphilis and its manifold complications and sequelae. The disorders named above are more amenable to this drug when associated with a syphilitic taint than otherwise. If given early enough it will prevent tertiary phases, provided the patient has not been too thoroughly mercurialized. Its use must be prolonged in appreciable doses. It is especially adapted to long-standing cases of syphilis, the older the better, according to some of its advocates, and yet it is a remedy of much value all through the course of the disease. It is the remedy for that broken-down state so frequently following in the wake of that malady. The various eruptions give way to it, the gastric complications are subdued, and the mucous membranes are toned so that excessive secretions are restrained. Ɣ The bone and periosteal, as well as the muscular, pains of syphilitics, are amenable to berberis. Its action is slow but sure, as it is also in severe muscular pains, with partial paralysis, due to spinal disease. Long standing syphilitic phagadenae and herpetic and eczematous states, yield to it better than to most agents. It should not be forgotten in syphilitic anemia. Several stubborn cases of psoriasis (Ed. E. M. J., p. 148, 1896) have been cured by it, and it is a valuable drug in erysipelatous and chronic scrofulous affections. While it has failed to cure carcinoma, as its introducer, Dr. J. H. Bundy, believed it would, it has, however, shown itself of value in the dyscrasiae due to a cancerous cachexia. Berberis aquifolium commends itself for study in certain pulmonic troubles, on account of its excellent results in controlling secretions of the mucous tract. Cases of purulent bronchorrhoea, pronounced incurable, have been cured by it, and Prof. Webster asserts that he has seen cases of phthisis recover, even where there were extensive cavities, under the use of this agent. The appetite improved, hectic subsided, expectoration became lessened, the cough milder and less frequent, and flesh and strength were augmented. The remedy should be long continued. Berberis is of some value in leucorrhoea, and particularly when a syphilitic taint exists. Owing to its remarkable power over mucous structures we would suggest its employment in gastric and intestinal catarrh. The principal uses of this drug have been developed by Dr. J. H. Bundy and Prof. Herbert T. Webster. The dose of berberis aquifolium should be relatively large. Small doses, as required of most of our important agents, do but little good. The dose of the fluid extract is from 10 to 20 drops every 3 or 4 hours; of specific berberis aquifolium 5, 10 or 15 drops, every 3 or 4 hours. Specific Indications and Uses.—Syphilitic dyscrasiae, constitutional syphilis, with periosteal or muscular pains; chronic skin affections, with blood dyscrasiae; profusely secreting, tumid mucous tissues; indigestion, with hepatic torpor; yellow skin, with marked weakness and emaciation. Related Species.—"MAHONIA, the sub-genus of the genus berberis, is a fine, showy family of evergreen shrubs. The distinction between this sub-genus and the berberis proper, although very obvious, is not considered sufficient by authorities to entitle it to the rank of a distinct genus, hence the generic name is berberis, the same as the common barberry. The two species of the berberis proper, which grow in this country, are both deciduous shrubs, although there are several evergreen species found in the Old World. All the plants of the sub-genus, mahonia, are evergreen, and on this account they are often cultivated in yards and cemeteries, frequently under the improper name holly. There are four indigenous species found in the United States, all west of the Mississippi, and there are also a few other species in Mexico. Our native species are B. nervosa, B. repens, B. pinnata, and B. aquifolium. The two former are small plants, never over 2 feet high, and often only a few inches, while the other two are large shrubs from 3 to 6 feet high; hence by their height alone B. nervosa and B. repens can be distinguished from B. pinnata and B. aquifolium. "B. nervosa, Pursh, is a little erect shrub, with leaves often longer than the stem. The leaves consist of 3 to 6 pairs of leaflets and an odd one. The main leaf stalk of each leaf is very conspicuously jointed at each pair of leaflets, as remarked by Dr. Lindley, 'like a bamboo stem.' The leaflets are ovate, lanceolate, acute or acuminate; triple veined from the oblique base, and have teeth, not repand, but serrate. The flowers are in erect racemes, which are more slender than those of any other species. The plate of B. nervosa, tab. 5, vol. I, in Pursh's work, is spurious. The leaves are correct, as intended, but the flowers are of the B. aquifolium. Since the plate is made up of two species, and hence liable to confuse, Lindley proposed to remedy the matter by changing the name to B. glumacea, but the change was not received with favor by botanists, and the name B. nervosa is still applied to the plant. "B. repens, Lindley.—A small shrub, procumbent, with short, erect branches. The leaves are often ternate, but generally of 5 or 7 leaflets. Leaflets are ovate, orbicular, acute, or the terminal leaflet obtuse; pinnately veined with repand teeth. Flowers in terminal fascicled racemes. "B. repens and B. nervosa are both employed by the western miners as blood purifiers, and as an antiperiodic, the B. repens extensively. We have several letters from physicians in widely separated portions of the great West, enclosing leaves of these varieties for us to classify and examine, all saying the root is extensively used for the above purpose. It is made into infusions and decoctions. The acid berry of the Berberis repens, under the name 'mountain grape,' is made into confections and freely eaten. It acts as an antiscorbutic, and is of great benefit to persons long deprived of fruit. "The following description was kindly furnished by Dr. C. L. Aylworth, of Montana State: 'The plant I enclose for description is called the Oregon grape. The fruit is eaten. It grows in medium or rich soil, among rocks or bushes, seldom in open ground. It is more plentiful upon the foot-hills of mountains, and along the banks of mountain streams, extending far down into the valleys. It does not grow in clusters, but I have seen it nearly cover the ground. It is common about all the small streams in this section of the Yellowstone valley, and about the headwaters of the Missouri river.'