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

This drug was introduced, in 1874, by Dr. F. O. St. Clair, and first appeared in the form of fluid extract, from the firm of Messrs. Helmick & Co., of Washington, D. C. Three distinct varieties or species of plants under the name of Damiana, are occasionally found upon the market, and are derived from as many A- B different sources. In connection with the histor of this drug, it may be stated that Mr. H. S. Wel ~ come read a paper upon the subject before the New York Alumni Association of the Philadel phia College of Pharmacy, October 15, 1875, at the same time exhibitin cuts of leaves, which were known upon the mar et, at that time, as “Dami ana,” reproduced by us (Fig. 92). The true Damiana, the kind originally intro- M'-“153225;,gfifija‘zagmima duced by Dr. F. O. St. Clair, who obtained it from ' Mr. Eugene Gillespie, the United States Consul at Cape San Lucas, is derived from Mexico (see Fi . 93). It is evidently from a Mexican species of Turnera, supposed, by E. M. olmes, to be a smooth-leaved variety of T. microphylla, De - Candolle. Prof. Lester F. Ward, on the examination of authentic specimens ob tained by Dr. St. Clair, concluded that the drug is obtained from an undesc'ribed species of Turnera, which Prof. Vasey and himself designated Tamera aphrodisiaca, and this name we shall accept for the A. A 3 Mexican damiana, until further light is thrown upon the subject. The result of Prof. \Vard’s examination can be found 69 B _ in the Vi‘l‘ inia Med. Monthly, April, 1876. Fig. 92. Fig. 93. We exten our thanks to Dr. St. Clair for the aid given us in our endeavor to ob Turnera aphrodisiacs (true Damiana). Natural size. tmn the complete hiatory Of this drug! as well as for the specimens of original dami ana so kindly furnished by himself. In this connection we can say that the leaves of Fig. 93, marked A A, are drawn from the original lot of damiana imported by Dr. St. Clair, in 1872. The genus Turnera is a small family of chiefly tropical American plants allied to the Passifloreze. The flowers are small, yellow, and, in the species that produces damiana, subsessile near the end of the short branches. The calyx is tubular, hairy externally, colored like the petals, and 5-toothed at the apex. The petals are 5, yel low, and inserted on the tube of the calyx. The fruit, specimens of which are often found with damiana leaves, are dry, l-celled, globular, and about the size of a large hemp seed (Fig. 93, B B). They are warty and rough ex ternally, open by 3 valves, and contain from 3 to 6 kidney- wgggiogayggimgs sfzieefl of shaped seeds (Fig. 93, C, magnified), attached to 3 parietal "2 ' placentae. Mexican damiana (Tamera aphrodisiacs), as found in market, consists of broken leaves mixed with fragments of the branches, and, sometimes, with seed pods. The branches have a reddish-brown bark, and are covered, when young, with white, cottony hairs. The leaves (Fig. 93, natural size) are less than an inch long, obovate, wedge-shape, and taper at the base to a short, slender leaf stalk, when young, they are covered with a slight pubesence, but become smooth 646 DAMIANA. when old. They are distinctly pinnately veined, and the margin is toothed with from 8 to 10 teeth. A variety of damiana, closely resembling the preceding, is derived from Cali fornia. It was ascertained by Mr. E. M. Holmes to be obtained from Turnera microphylln, De Candolle, a small shrubby plant, native of lower California and northern Mexico. The leaves resemble the Mexican, but are broader, and covered with hairs on both sides (Fig. 92, A, preceding page). A second kind of California damiana (also a species of Turnera) later made its appearance in the market. We are indebted to Mr. James G. Steele for the fact that this lot of damiana came from San Diego, California, and grew inland, at the southern part of the state. The leaves have the shape of the Mexican damiana, but are larger, and very hairy, especially underneath (Fig. 94, 1} natural size, ’preceding page). he most common sophistication, however, once sold freely under the name of Damiana, is obtained from Aplopappus discoideus, De Candolle, a Composites plant of the section Asteroideav. It 1s one of the few rayless species of Aplopappus, and is referred by some to the genus Linosyris. It has no botanical relation to the true damiana, and can only be considered a sophistication. Th e leaves (Fig. 95, natural size, and Wellcome’s Fig. 92, B preceding page) of this plant, as found on the market, are thick, firm, and not so much broken up as the Turnera; the surface of the leaf is rough, resinous, dotted, the mid-rib bein prominent; but the veinlets are in istinct. The teeth are toward the apex of the leaf, and are rather remote and sharp. This plant can readily be distinguished from the true damiana by the presence of numerous flower-heads, which are common in all the specimens examined by us (Fig. 95, A). They are borne in axillary clusters of from 4 to 6 heads. The involucre is hell shaped, and consists of numerous coriaceous imbricated scales, pubescent on the tips. The achenia (Fig. 95, B, magnified) are covered with a dense appressed pubescence, and bear a tawny, scabrous, spreading, unequal pappus. The sensible properties of the leaves of all the varieties (or species) of Tur nera found upon the market, under the name damiana, are similar. All have a fragrant odor, resembling lemon~balm, and a pleasant, slightly aromatic taste. The leaves impart their virtues readily to hot water, as well as to mixtures of water and alcohol. The spurious damiana, Aplopap us discorkleus (Fig. 95), is en tirely different. It resembles more nearly the Grindzelias, both in odor and taste. It is very resinous, and imparts its characteristic roperties most freely to strong alcohol. Water hardly affects it, and mixtures ofp water and alcohol imperfectly exhaust the resinous principles, and do not permanently retain in solution such portions as are extracted. his spurious damiana need never be unintentionally employed, as both the general appearance of the leaf, and the sensible character istics, are entirely different from all the species of Turnera. It has been ofl‘ered at half the price of true damiana. ' Chemical Composition—When distilled with water, the distillate from the leaves yields an essential oil. This oil is lighter than water, possesses the char acteristic odor, and imparts to the plant its fragrance. Chlorophyll, hard and soft resin, tannin, sugar, albuminoids, gum, and ash were found by Parsons in true damiana. Potassium chloride was found in spurious damiana by E. S.Wayne, in 1876. According to a more recent analysis of the leaves of damiana, by F.W. Pautzer (A‘mmz Jour. Pharm., 1887, p. 69), alkaloids and glucosids were not observ able. The yield of volatile oil obtained by distillation was 0.5 per cent. Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage—This drug has been almost eulogized for its positive aphrodisiac effects, acting energetically upon the genito-urinary organs of both sexes, removing impotence in the one, and frigid-it}; in the other, whether due to abuses or age. Many physicians who have tried it, deny its pos session of such virtues, but the friends of the lrug attribute their failures to the Fit. 95. L Aplopappus discoideus (spurious damiana). Natural size DECOC’I‘A. 647 use of the spurious articles. It will very likely be found to possess laxative, tonic, and diuretic properties only; and the aphrodisiac effects following its use, no more prove that these belong to it, than the same effects, that not unfre quently appear after the employment of many other agents, prove that such agents possess similiar excitant virtues. Upon the system at large, it exerts a tonic influence, and is useful in some cases of chronic cystic and renal catarrh. It relieves irritation of the urinary mucous membranes, improves digestion, and over comes constipation in some instances. In respiratory disorders, it may be employed to relieve irritation and cough, and, by its tonic roperties, to check hypersecretion from the broncho-pulmonic membranes. The dose of the fluid extract is from J“; fluid drachm to § fluid ounce; specific damiana, 5 to 60 drops. Specific Indications and Uses.—To relieve irritation of the genito-urinary rpucqpisurfaces. (Sexual weakness and debility, with nervousness and depres sion

Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World, 1919, was edited by U. P. Hedrick. - Fo Ti

Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. China and Japan. The roots are used as food.

Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World, 1919, was edited by U. P. Hedrick. - Ginkgo

aloba Ginkgo biloba Linn. Coniferae. Ginko. Maiden-Hair Tree. China and Japan. The fruit of the ginko is sold in the markets in all Chinese towns and is not unlike dried almonds, only whiter, fuller and more round. The natives seem very fond of it, although it is rarely eaten by Europeans. In Japan, the seeds furnish an oil used for eating and burning. The fruit of the maiden-hair tree is called in China pa-kwo. The Chinese consume the nuts of this tree at weddings, the shells being dyed red; they have a fishy taste. This tree is largely cultivated as an ornamental in Europe, Asia and North America.

Manual of The Medical Botany of The United States North America BY C.S. Rafinesque 1828 - Panax Ginseng

Genus PANAX. Calyx superior five toothed. Corolla of five petals. Stamens five. Styles two; berry two seeded; some flowers only staminate, or with one or three styles and seeds. Sp. Panax quinquefolium. Root fusiform, wrinkled; stem with three verticillate leaves, digitate with five unequal petiolate folioles, umbel central pedunculate. Many varieties. 1. Var. Americanum. Raf. or Cuneatum, (figured here.) Three large folioles, cuneiform or oblong obovate, acuminate, equally serrate, two at the base much smaller, ovate, acuminate, sometimes missing; flowers white. In North America, in the Western States. 2. Var. Obovatum. Raf. (figured by Barton fig. 45.) Three large folioles, obovate, acuminate, unequally and duplicate serrate, two smaller folioles, ovate or missing; flowers white. In North America, in the Atlantic States. 3. Var. Asiaticum. Raf. or Ovatum. (figured by Duhalde, &c.) Folioles nearly equal, all oval lanceolate, acute, serrulate; flowers purplish. In Central and Eastern Asia, in Manchuria, Corea, &c. Description of the variety Americanum. Root perennial, fleshy, yellowish white, fusiform, wrinkled transversely, often forked, sometimes fasciculated in two or three spindles, ending in thick fibres, from two to six inches long. Stem one or two feet high, simple, erect, round, smooth, divided into three petioles, and a central peduncle at the end, petioles swelled at the base, bearing five folioles, each also petiolated, (sometimes only three, very seldom seven,) unequal, smooth, with some scattered bristles on the veins above; the two lower ones very small oval acuminate, the three middle ones larger, cuneiform or oblong, broader above, acuminate; all with sharp equal serratures, except at the base; flowers in a globose umbel, supported by a central erect peduncle, and a short involucrum, subulate; these flowers are small, with white petals; ovary oval, adherent, with a five toothed calyx, and two styles clavate recurved; petals five, oval, oblong, obtuse; five erect stamens, with round anthers; fruit, red berries, commonly bilobed, with two semi-globose seeds; sometimes only one style, and a dimidiate berry, or three styles with a trilobe and three seeded berry; some flowers are abortive, or simply staminate, and some plants produce only such with larger petals; calyx nearly entire, &c. History. This plant is the famous Ginseng of the Chinese, whose name, meaning man's health, has been adopted in English and French. The Manchus call it Orhota, meaning queen of plants. The Jesuits, who had known this plant in Tartary, found it afterwards in Canada, towards 1718, and a profitable trade was begun with China, which has since undergone many fluctuations. In 1748, the root sold over one dollar the lb. in Canada, and nearly five dollars in China; it has since been reduced as low as twenty-five cents, and some shipments to China have not paid the cost and duties. The Chinese, who have many kinds of Ginseng, admitted the American, but soon found out that it was an inferior kind. The large yellow forked roots, and those dried in their peculiar manner so as to be semi-transparent, were, and are yet, the most saleable. Almost all the botanists have admitted to this day, that the American and Chinese roots were produced by the same species. Lourein was the first to doubt the fact, and I have ascertained by a more close inspection of the Chinese accounts and our plants, that they are at least distinct varieties, if not peculiar species. Whoever will compare the published figures may become convinced of this. Nay, it appears that there are even several varieties or species in North America, of which the figures of Bigelow (or mine) and of Barton, form two at least. The same happens probably in Asia; we have only the figure of one Asiatic kind to ascertain well this fact; but the medical writers of China distinguish at least ten kinds of Ginseng, some of which must be produced by very different plants: they are, 1. The true Ginseng of Manchuria, my variety Asiaticum, with large juicy forked roots, yellow and strong. 2. Ginseng of Corea, with large soft roots, commonly four leaves. 3. Of Petsi and Taighan, white firm small roots, taste mild, leaves purple. 4. Of Sinlo, roots one foot long, with branches similar to the arms and legs of a man. 5. Of Chantang, long and thin roots, with many branches, very valuable. 6. Of Leaotong, roots smooth and yellow outside, white inside. 7. Of Hiang, with sweet roots. 8. Of Chaochu, small short roots, of little value. 9. Of Chaseng, roots dry, insipid, with little strength 10. Of Kikeng, firm, but bitter root. There is, besides, a great difference in these roots, according to the soils where growing, the time and mode of gathering, &c. This explains, at least, the variety of opinions among medical men, on the value and properties of this plant. It has always appeared strange to me, that our medical sceptics should doubt the Chinese accounts; they may be a little exaggerated, but the experience of many ages ought not to be ridiculed, because we are ignorant in Botany, have never properly analyzed this root, and have even none but an inferior kind to try. It is preposterous in Bigelow to call the Ginseng a mere demulcent, while it contains a kind of camphor, which he could not detect. The best Chinese kinds may contain other active substances, and although their high price precludes our using them, we ought, instead of laughing at the Chinese for paying once $ 100 the lb. for them (as we did for Quinine and other drugs) to try how far our kinds may be equivalents. The American Ginseng has the same form, taste, and smell; it must, therefore, possess nearly the same properties, although in an inferior degree perhaps; our Indian tribes did employ them: we may thus avail ourselves of them, and their cheapness ought not to make them the less available, as probably larger doses will answer all the indications. The Huron tribes call this root Garantogen, meaning root like a man. They are scattered all over the Northern and Western States, from Canada to Missouri and Alabama, also in the Alleghany mountains as far as Carolina; the first variety is the most common, the second is found in Pennsylvania, and the South, seldom mixed with the other. They are rare plants in some parts, while in some districts they were very abundant, delighting chiefly in deep and rich woods; but they have been nearly extirpated from several places by the collectors, and the annual supply is now much lessened, coming chiefly from the remote western regions. It may soon be needful to cultivate them, which can easily be done, by transplantation, and the Shakers have begun the attempt, under the shade of trees. These plants are, however, of very slow growth, the shoots of the three first years has only one leaf, from four to seven years only two, and at eight years of age the root sends forth the three leaves, and begins to blossom; it is stated that when twenty years old, it often acquires four leaves, and even seven folioles in each leaf. All the roots that have not blossomed are small, and of little value; the best for use must be from ten to fifteen years old. The stem and leaves are also useful; but the berries are of no use, and not even edible. The blossoms appear in the spring, and the berries are ripe in the summer; they require two years to germinate. Properties. The roots have a pleasant camphorated smell; the taste is sweet and pungent, with a slight degree of aromatic bitterness. They are a fine gentle and agreeable stimulant, both fresh and dry; also nervine, cordial, restorative, analeptic, demulcent, edulcorant, expectorant, stomachic, attenuant, deobstruent, &c. They owe their active properties to a peculiar substance, very similar to camphor, which I call Panacine, white, pungent, soluble in alcohol and water, and more fixed than camphor; they contain also a volatile oil, sugar, mucilage, resin, &c. This is one of the plants upon which I have made many experiments, and ascertained that some of the properties ascribed to the roots by the Chinese are not exaggerated, although I cannot vouch for the whole. I shall, therefore, begin by giving the Chinese account of them. The Chinese medical writers, who have written volumes on these roots, say that the test of the best kinds consist in not feeling tired by walking while you chew them, or even keep them in your mouth. Our American Ginseng cannot stand this test, I believe. The best Ginseng warms the cold stomach and bowels; it cures the belly-ache, disorders and obstructions in the breast. It attenuates the blood and humours, revives the body, repairs emaciation and debility, sustains excessive labours of the body and mind, preventing weariness and dejection. It quenches thirst, and assuages hunger. It prevents dropsies and obstructions of the vessels and bowels. It fortifies a weak stomach and weak lungs. It gives appetite, and assists digestion, preventing troublesome dreams, fainting fits, palpitations and sudden frights. It renovates the vital spirits, dilates the heart, clears the sight, strengthens the judgment, making the body light and active, and the mind stronger and vigorous. It invigorates old people, and prolongs their life. It is useful for feeble breathing, short breath, and asthma. It removes all the disorders of weakness and debility, nay, is also aphrodisiac, and cures hypochondriacal, nervous, and hysterical affections. It removes also vertigo, dimness, head-ache, tenesmus, fainting, sweating, fevers, windy bowels, dyspepsia, and vomiting, &c. Such are the wonderful properties ascribed to this plant by the Chinese authors, after the experience of 2000 years or more. The physicians often unite it to orange peel, ginger, liquorice, cinnamon, peach-kernals, honey, &c. to aid the effects, and they prescribe it in powders, electuary, extract, pills, and decoction. The only detrimental property ascribed to it is that the excessive use may bring on haemorrhage. The roots are carefully dried over a decoction of millet, and afterwards in the sun to give them a yellow and horny appearance, which, with a large size, are the three requisite qualities of the roots. Dose about a drachm. These properties must more or less belong also to our American kinds; nay, the Chinese consider the Comfrey root as often equivalent to Ginseng. The Ginseng appears to partake of the properties of camphor, valerian, zedoary, rosemary, and comfrey, of which it may be the substitute. The European and American physicians who have tried ours, differ in opinion on the subject, which may be ascribed to some using only young or bad roots. Many consider it as a mere aromatic demulcent; others as a gentle stimulant, or recommend it in nervous disorders, debility, marasm, and the senile cough. The Indians of Canada and our empirics use it for asthma, weak stomach, debility, pains in the bones, excessive venery, gravelly complaints, &c. It is often used as a masticatory and answers the purpose of Angelica, as a restorative stomachic. A tincture is used by drunkards. The watery decoction preserves all the properties as well as the extract, which is a very good preparation. In my experiments, I have chiefly used the powder, mixed with equal quantity of honey or sugar candy in powder. I have found it a good stomachic, restorative, and nervine remedy. It acts upon the nervous system in a mild manner, and revives it. Our American Ginseng is so mild that it may be used in pretty large doses, nay, as far as an ounce. Dr. Cutler and Dr. Greenway have long ago stated to have found it useful, even in small doses of ten to twenty grains, in convulsions, vertigoes, nervous affections, palsy, and even dysentery. The leaves form a very grateful medical tea, which is reserved for the noble and wealthy in China; ours make equally good iea, and are sometimes used in Canada, Kentucky, and Virginia. Dr. Hales, of Troy, has used the roots and leaves as a good analeptic and restorative in fevers. Some Indians have a notion that it makes women fruitful. This article appears, therefore, to deserve further attention, instead of total neglect.