Alstonia scholaris

Botanical: Alstonia scholaris (R. BR.)
N.O. Apocynaceae

Magnoliopsida:Asteridae:Gentianales:Apocynaceae

Basionym : Echites scholaris L.

Synonym : Echites pala Ham.
Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br. var. avae A.DC.
Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br. var. blumii A.DC.
Alstonia kurzii Hook.f.
Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br. var. velutina Monach.

Common name : devil's tree, white cheesewood tree, alstonia, dita bark tree, Australian fever bark tree, Australian quinine bark tree, bitter-bark tree, blackboard tree, chatiyan wood, shaitan, chattun, chatian, chhatiwan, chatiwan, tin pet, dita, khaaniqat al-kalab, shajaratah fi asya al-harrah, scholarsi, may màn, mò cua, mùa cua, co tin pát, palai, pasuit, phaya sattaban, sattaban, polai, sachina, satavan, satuna, alipauen, dalipauen, lava, lipauen, dirita, tanitan, tangitang, andarayan, voplai, chatina (santal), saptaparni (kandha), dubedi (kandha)

Botanical descriptions :

Diagnostic characters :	Evergreen or briefly deciduous trees, bole fluted, branches horizontal. Exudate white. Leaves simple whorled, secondary veins perpendicular to the midrib. Inflorescenceterminal, flowers white. Fruits long thin follicles, seeds with tufts of hairs at both ends.
Habit :	Evergreen or briefly deciduous tree up to 40 m. tall, branches horizontally to the main trunk.
Trunk & bark :	Bole fluted. Bark light brown, smooth to slightly cracked, inner bark brown to yellow.
Branches and branchlets or twigs :	Branches glabrous, sparsely to densely lenticellate.
Exudates :	Latex white in trunk and leaves.
Leaves :	Leaves simple, 5-32 by 1.5-8 cm. grouped in whorl of 4-8, oblong-elliptic, apex acuminate, base attenuate and decurrent, blade coriaceous and glabrous, brownish when dry, margin entire and slightly undulate. Midrib flat above, proeminent below; secondary vein closely parallel.
Inflorescences or flowers :	Flowers white or greenish yellow, densely clustered in terminal inflorescence, pubescent; pedicel short.
Fruits :	Fruits are cylindrical and slender follicles of 21-56 by 0.2.-0.3 cm. grouped by pair arranged in suspended whorl, glabrous.
Seeds :	Many seeds, glabrous, ciliate.

Habitat and ecology :

In evergreen, deciduous or mixed forest, on forest margin and sometimes cultivated as ornamental pattern.
Flowering period: October to March; fruiting time: April to June.

Distribution :

From India and Sri Lanka to Southern China, in Southeast Asia countries, Malesia (Type), Bismarck Archipelago, the Solomon Islands, Laos (Kham - mouan and widespread in several provinces).

Medicinal Action and Uses:

The bark is used in homoeopathy for its tonic bitter and astringent properties; it is particularly useful for chronic diarrhoea and dysentry.
The wood is often used for coffins and as a plywood core. An infusion of the crushed leaves is used to clean infected wounds. The bitter bark and latex yield a tonic and anti-septic medicine.

ALOE SOCOTRINA (Mussabbar)

Botanical: Aloe Perryi (J. G. BAKER), Aloe vera (LINN)
Family: N.O. Liliaceae

• ---Part Used--
  

The inspissated juice of the leaves of one or more undetermined species, commonly known as Socotrine Aloes. It is in masses of a reddish-brown colour, the varying shades deepening by exposure to the air. It is nearly transparent in thin films. Its fracture, usually smooth and resinous, is sometimes rough and irregular. It has a speculiarly strong and fragrant odour and an intensely bitter taste. It is almost entirely soluble in alcohol and sparingly in water. While dissolving in alcohol it exhibits microscopic crystals. For the preparation of tincture use the inspissated juice, coarsely pulverized.


Latin, Aloe gummi, A. lucida, A. Officinalis, A. ruboscens, A. spicata, A. vera ; English, Hepatic, Mocha, Moka or Socotrina aloes ; French, Aloes ; German, Aloe ; Arabic, Mussabbar; Urdu, Mussabbar
---Habitat---Aloes are indigenous to East and South Africa, but have been introduced into the West Indies (where they are extensively cultivated) and into tropical countries, and will even flourish in the countries bordering on the Mediterranean.

The drug Aloes consists of the liquid exuded from the transversely-cut bases of the leaves of various species of Aloes, evaporated to dryness.

---

---Description---They are succulent plants belonging to the Lily family, with perennial, strong and fibrous roots and numerous, persistent, fleshy leaves, proceeding from the upper part of the root, narrow, tapering, thick and fleshy, usually beset at the edges with spiney teeth. Many of the species are woody and branching. In the remote districts of S.W. Africa and in Natal, Aloes have been discovered 30 to 60 feet in height, with stems as much as 10 feet in circumference.

The flowers are produced in erect, terminal spikes. There is no calyx, the corolla is tubular, divided into six narrow segments at the mouth and of a red, yellow or purplish colour. The capsules contain numerous angular seeds.

The true Aloe is in flower during the greater part of the year and is not to be confounded with another plant, the Agave or American Aloe (Agave Americana), which is remarkable for the long interval between its periods of flowering. This is a succulent plant, without stem, the leaves being radical, spiney, and toothed. There is a variety with variegated foliage. The flower-stalk rises to many feet in height, bearing a number of large and handsome flowers. In cold climates there is usually a very long interval between the times of its flowering, though it is a popular error to suppose that it happens only once in a hundred years for when it obtains sufficient heat and receives a culture similar to that of the pineapple, it is found to flower much more frequently. Various species of Agave, all of which closely resemble each other, have been largely grown as ornamental plants since the first half of the sixteenth century in the south of Europe, and are completely acclimatized in Spain, Portugal and Southern Italy, but though often popularly called Aloes all of them are plants of the New World whereas the true Aloes are natives of the Old World. From a chemical point of view there is also no analogy at all between Aloes and Agaves.

Although the Agave is not employed medicinally, the leaves have been used in Jamaica as a substitute for soap, the expressed juice (a gallon of the juice yields about 1 lb. of the soft extract), dried in the sun, being made into balls with wood ash. This soap lathers with salt water as well as fresh. The leaves have also been used for scouring pewter and kitchen utensils. The inner spongy substance of the leaves in a decayed state has been employed as tinder and the fibres may be spun into a strong, useful thread.

The fleshy leaves of the true Aloe contain near the epidermis or outer skin, a row of fibrovascular bundles, the cells of which are much enlarged and filled with a yellow juice which exudes when the leaf is cut. When it is desired to collect the juice, the leaves are cut off close to the stem and so placed that the juice is drained off into tubs. This juice thus collected is concentrated either by spontaneous evaporation, or more generally by boiling until it becomes of the consistency of thick honey. On cooling, it is then poured into gourds, boxes, or other convenient receptacles, and solidifies.

Aloes require two or three years' standing before they yield their juice. In the West Indian Aloe plantations they are set out in rows like cabbages and cutting takes place in March or April, but in Africa the drug is collected from the wild plants.

---Constituents---The most important constituents of Aloes are the two Aloins, Barbaloin and Isobarbaloin, which constitute the so-called 'crystalline' Aloin, present in the drug at from 10 to 30 per cent. Other constituents are amorphous Aloin, resin and Aloe-emodin. The proportion in which the Aloins are present in the respective Aloes is not accurately known.

The manner in which the evaporation is conducted has a marked effect on the appearance of the Aloes, slow and moderate concentration tending to induce crystallization of the Aloin, thus causing the drug to appear opaque. Such Aloes is termed 'livery' or hepatic, and splinters of it exhibit minute crystals of Aloin when examined under the microscope. If, on the other hand, the evaporation is carried as far as possible, the Aloin does not crystallize and small fragments of the drug appear transparent; it is then termed 'glassy,' 'vitreous,' or 'lucid' Aloes and exhibits no crystals of Aloin under the microscope.

---Varieties---The chief varieties of Aloes are Curacao or Barbados, Socotrine (including Zanzibar) and Cape. Other varieties of Aloes, such as black 'Mocha' Aloes, occasionally find their way to the London market. Jafferabad Aloes, supposed to be the same as 'Mocha' Aloes, is of a black, pitch-like colour and a glassy, somewhat porous fracture; it is the product of Aloe Abyssinica and is imported to Bombay from Arabia. It does not enter into English commerce. Musambra Aloes is made in India from A. vulgaris. Uganda Aloes, imported from Mossel Bay, not from Uganda, is a variety of Cape Aloes produced by careful evaporation. Natal Aloes, another South African variety, is no longer a commercial article in this country. The A. Purificata of the United States Pharmacopoeia is prepared by adding Alcohol to melted Aloes, stirring thoroughly, straining and evaporating the strained liquid. The product occurs in irregular, brittle, dull- brown or reddish pieces and is almost entirely soluble in Alcohol.

Curacoa Aloes is obtained from A. chinensis (Staud.) A. vera (Linn.) and probably other species. It was formerly produced on the island of Barbados, where it was largely cultivated, having been introduced at the beginning of the sixteenth century, and is still frequently, but improperly called Barbados Aloes. It is now almost entirely made on the Dutch islands of Curacoa, Aruba and Bonaire by boiling the Aloe juice down and pouring the viscid residue into empty spirit cases, in which it is allowed to solidify. Formerly gourds of various sizes were used (usually containing from 60 to 70 lb.) but Aloes in gourds is now seldom seen. It is usually opaque and varies in colour from bright yellowish or rich reddish brown to black. Sometimes it is vitreous and small fragments are then of a deep garnet-red colour and transparent. It is then known as 'Capey Barbados' and is less valuable, but may become opaque and more valuable by keeping. Curacoa Aloes possesses the nauseous and bitter taste that is characteristic of all Aloes and a disagreeable, penetrating odour. It is almost entirely soluble in 60 per cent alcohol and contains not more than 30 per cent of substances insoluble in water and 12 per cent of moisture. It should not yield more than 3 per cent of ash.

Commercial Aloin is obtained usually from Curacoa Aloes.

Solutions of Curacoa and other Aloes gradually undergo change, and may after a month no longer react normally, and may also lose the bitterness natural to Aloes.

Socotrine Aloes is prepared to a certain extent on the island of Socotra, but probably more largely on the African and possibly also on the Arabian mainland, from the leaves of A. Perryi (Baker). It is usually imported in kegs in a pasty condition and subsequent drying is necessary. It may be distinguished principally from Curacoa Aloes by its different odour. Much of the dry drug is characterized by the presence of small cavities in the fractured surface, but the variety of Socotrine Aloes distinguished as Zanzibar Aloes often very closely resembles Curacoa in appearance and is usually imported in liver-brown masses which break with a dull, waxy fracture, differing from that of Socotrine Aloes in being nearly smooth and even. When it is prepared, it is commonly poured into goat skins, which are then packed into cases.

---Constituents---The name 'Socotrine' Aloes is officially applied to both Socotrine and Zanzibar Aloes. Its chief constituents are Barbaloin (formerly called Socaloin and Zanaloin) and B. Barbaloin, no Isobarbaloin being present in this variety of Aloes. Resin water-soluble substances other than Aloin and Aloe-emodin are also present.

Socotrine Aloes should be of a dark, reddish-brown colour, and almost entirely soluble in alcohol. Not more than 50 per cent should be insoluble in water and it should yield not more than 3 per cent of ash. Garnet-coloured, translucent Socotrine Aloes is not now found in commerce, though fine qualities of Zanzibar Aloes are sometimes slightly translucent. Samples of the drug which are nearly black are unfit for pharmaceutical purposes. The odour of Zanzibar Aloes is strong and characteristic, and its taste nauseous and bitter.

Cape Aloes is prepared in Cape Colony from A. ferou (Linn.), A. spicata (Thumb.) A. Africana, A. platylepia and other species of Aloe. It possesses more powerfully purgative properties than any other variety of the drug and is preferred to other varieties on the Continent, but is chiefly employed in this country for veterinary purposes only though for this purpose the Curacoa Aloes is as a rule preferred. Another form of the drug used for veterinary purposes, called Caballine or Horse Aloes, usually consists of the residue from the purification of the more valuable sorts.

Cape Aloes almost invariably occurs in the vitreous modification; it forms dark coloured masses which break with a clean glassy fracture and exhibit in their splinters a yellowish, reddish-brown or greenish tinge. Its translucent, glossy appearance and very characteristic, red-currant like odour sufficiently distinguish it from all other varieties of Aloes.

Uganda Aloes is also obtained from A. ferox. It occurs in bricks or fragments of hepatic, yellowish-brown colour, with a bronze gold fracture and its odour resembles that of Cape Aloes.

Cape Aloes contains 9 per cent or more of Barbaloin (formerly known as Capaloin) and B. Barbaloin. Only traces of Capalores not annol combined with paracumaric acid. Cape Aloes should not contain more than 12 per cent of water; it should yield at least 45 per cent of aquoeus extract but not more than 2 per cent of ash Uganda Aloes yields about 6 per cent of Aloin, part of which is B. Barbaloin. The leaves of the plants from which Cape Aloes is obtained are cut off near the stem and arranged around a hole in the ground, in which a sheepskin is spread, with smooth side upwards. When a sufficient quantity of juice has drained from the leaves it is concentrated by heat in iron cauldrons and subsequently poured into boxes or skins in which it solidifies on cooling. Large quantities of the drug are exported from Cape Town and Mossel Bay.

Natal Aloes. The source of this variety which is seldom imported, is not yet definitely ascertained, but it is probably prepared from one or more species of Aloe, probably including A. ferox. Natal Aloes is prepared with greater care than Cape Aloes the leaves being cut obliquely into slices and the juice allowed to exude in the hot sunshine, after which it is boiled down in iron pots the liquid being stirred until it becomes thick and then poured into wooden cases to solidify. Natal Aloes is much weaker than any other variety, having little purgative action on human beings, apparently because it contains no Emodin. It is no longer of commercial importance. It resembles Cape Aloes in odour and occurs in irregular pieces which are almost always opaque and have a characteristic, dull greenish-black or brown colour. It is much less soluble than Cape Aloes. It has not a glassy fracture like that of Cape Aloes and when powdered is of a greenish colour.

Good Aloes should yield 40 per cent of soluble matter to cold water.

Both Curacoa and Cape Aloes in powder give a crimson colour with nitric acid, Socratine Aloes powder touched with nitric acid does not give a crimson colour.

---History---The Mahometans, especially those in Egypt, regard the Aloe as a religious symbol, and the Mussulman who has made a pilgrimage to the shrine of the Prophet is entitled to hang the Aloe over his doorway. The Mahometans also believe that this holy symbol protects a householder from any malign influence.

In Cairo, the Jews also adopt the practice of hanging up the Aloe.

In the neighbourhood of Mecca, at the extremity of every grave, on a spot facing the epitaph, Burckhardt found planted a low shrubby species of Aloe whose Arabic name, saber, signifies patience. This plant is evergreen and requires very little water. Its name refers to the waiting-time between the burial and the resurrection morning.

All kinds of Aloes are admirably provided by their succulent leaves and stems against the drought of the countries where they flourish. The cuticle which covers every part of the plant is, in those which contain a great quantity of pulpy material, formed so as to imbibe moisture very easily and to evaporate it very slowly. If the leaf of an Aloe be separated from the parent plant, it may be laid in the sun for several weeks without becoming entirely shrivelled; and even when considerably dried by long exposure to heat, it will, if plunged into water, become in a few hours plump and fresh.

---Medicinal Action and Uses---The drug Aloes is one of the safest and best warm and stimulating purgatives to persons of sedentary habits and phlegmatic constitutions. An ordinary small dose takes from 15 to 18 hours to produce an effect. Its action is exerted mainly on the large intestine, for which reason, also it is useful as a vermifuge. Its use, however, is said to induce Piles.

From the Chemist and Druggist (July 22, 1922):

'Aloes, strychnine and belladonna in pill form was criticized by Dr. Bernard Fautus in a paper read before the Chicago branch of the American Pharmaceutical Society. He pointed out that when given at the same time they cannot possibly act together because of the different speed and duration of the three agents. Aloin is slow in action, requiring from 10 to 12 hours. Strychnine and Atropine, on the other hand, are rapidly absorbed, and have but a brief duration of action.'

Preparations of Aloes are rarely prescribed alone, they require the addition of carminatives to moderate the tendency to griping. The compound preparations of Aloes in use generally contain such correctives, but powdered Aloes and the extracts of Aloes represent the crude drug.

Aloes in one form or another is the commonest domestic medicine and is the basis of most proprietary or so-called 'patent' pills.

There is little to choose medicinally between the Curacoa and Socotrine varieties, but the former is somewhat more powerful, 2 grains of Curacoa Aloes being equal to 3 grains of Socotrine Aloes in purgative action. The latter is more expensive, but varies much in quality.

Aloes is the purgative in general uses for horses, it is also used in veterinary practice as a bitter tonic in small doses, and externally as a stimulant and desiccant.

Aloes was employed by the ancients and was known to the Greeks as a production of the island of Socotra as early as the fourth century B.C. The drug was used by Dioscorides, Celsus and Pliny, as well as by the later Greek and Arabian physicians, though it is not mentioned either by Hippocrates or Theophrastus.

From notices of it in the Anglo-Saxon leech-books and a reference to it as one of the drugs recommended to Alfred the Great by the Patriarch of Jerusalem, we may infer that its use was not unknown in Britain as early as the tenth century. At this period the drug was imported into Europe by way of the Red Sea and Alexandria. In the early part of the seventeenth century, there was a direct trade in Aloes between England and Socotra, and in the records of the East Indian Company there are notices of the drug being bought of the King of Socotra, the produce being a monopoly of the Sultan of the island.

The word Aloes, in Latin Lignum Aloes, is used in the Bible and in many ancient writings to designate a substance totally distinct from the modern Aloes, namely the resinous wood of Aquilaria agallocha, a large tree growing in the Malayan Peninsula. Its wood constituted a drug which was, down to the beginning of the present century, generally valued for use as incense, but now is esteemed only in the East.

A beautiful violet colour is afforded by the leaves of the Socotrine Aloe, and it does not require a mordant to fix it.

(a)Tincture Q: = Drug Strength 1/10 Aloe, in moderately coarse powder. 100gm. Strong alcohol, a sufficient quantity . To make one thousand cubic centimeters of tincture. (b) Dilutions: 2x and higher with dispensing alcohol. (c) Triturations: 2x and higher.

Aconite nap

Botanical: Aconitum napellus (LINN.)
Family: N.O. Ranunculaciae

• Description
• Cultivation
• Part Used
• Chemical Constituents
• Medicinal Action and Uses
• Poisoning from, and Antidotes
• Other Varieties
• Other Species

---Synonyms---Monkshood. Blue Rocket. Friar's Cap. Auld Wife's Huid.
---Part Used---The whole plant.
---Habitat---Lower mountain slopes of North portion of Eastern Hemisphere. From Himalayas through Europe to Great Britain.

Aconite is now found wild in a few parts of England, mainly in the western counties and also in South Wales, but can hardly be considered truly indigenous. It was very early introduced into England, being mentioned in all the English vocabularies of plants from the tenth century downwards, and in Early English medical recipes.

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---Description---The plant is a hardy perennial, with a fleshy, spindle-shaped root, palecoloured when young, but subsequently acquiring a dark brown skin. The stem is about 3 feet high, with dark green, glossy leaves, deeply divided in palmate manner and flowers in erect clusters of a dark blue colour. The shape of the flower is specially designed to attract and utilize bee visitors, especially the humble bee. The sepals are purple - purple being specially attractive to bees - and are fancifully shaped, one of them being in the form of a hood. The petals are only represented by the two very curious nectaries within the hood, somewhat in the form of a hammer; the stamens are numerous and lie depressed in a bunch at the mouth of the flower. They are pendulous at first, but rise in succession and place their anthers forward in such a way that a bee visiting the flower for nectar is dusted with the pollen, which he then carries to the next flower he visits and thereby fertilizes the undeveloped fruits, which are in a tuft in the centre of the stamens, each carpel containing a single seed.

In the Anglo-Saxon vocabularies it is called thung, which seems to have been a general name for any very poisonous plant. It was then called Aconite (the English form of its Greek and Latin name), later Wolf's Bane, the direct translation of the Greek Iycotonum, derived from the idea that arrows tipped with the juice, or baits anointed with it, would kill wolves - the species mentioned by Dioscorides seems to have been Aconitum lycotonum. In the Middle Ages it became Monkshood and Helmet-flower, from the curious shape of the upper sepal overtopping the rest of the flower. This was the ordinary name in Shakespeare's days.

The generic name is said to have been derived from < i="">, a dart, because it was used by barbarous races to poison their arrows, or from akone, cliffy or rocky, because the species grow in rocky glens. Theophrastus, like Pliny, derived the name from Aconae, the supposed place of its origin. The specific name, Napellus, signifies a little turnip, in allusion to the shape of the roots. <>

---Cultivation---The chief collecting centres for foreign Aconite root have been the Swiss Alps, Salzburg, North Tyrol and Vorarlberg. Much was also formerly collected in Germany. Supplies from Spain and Japan are imported, so that the demand for English Aconite is somewhat restricted. The official Aconite is directed by the British Pharmacopceia to be derived only from plants cultivated in England, and a certain amount of home-grown Aconite has been regularly produced by the principal drug-farms, though good crops are grown with some difficulty in England, and cultivation of Aconite has not paid very well in recent years.

Aconite prefers a soil slightly retentive of moisture, such as a moist loam, and flourishes best in shade. It would probably grow luxuriantly in a moist, open wood, and would yield returns with little further trouble than weeding, digging up and drying.

In preparing beds for growing Aconite, the soil should be well dug and pulverized by early winter frosts - the digging in of rotten leaves or stable manure is advantageous.

It can be raised from seed, sown 1/2 inch deep in a cold frame in March, or in a warm position outside in April, but great care must be exercised that the right kind is obtained, as there are many varieties of Aconite- about twenty-four have been distinguished - and they have not all the same active medicinal properties. It takes two or three years to flower from seed.

Propagation is usually by division of roots in the autumn. The underground portion of the plants are dug up after the stem has died down, and the smaller of the 'daughter' roots that have developed at the side of the old roots are selected for replanting in December or January to form new stock, the young roots being planted about a foot apart each way. The young shoots appear above ground in February. Although the plants are perennial, each distinct root lasts only one year, the plant being continued by 'daughter' roots.

This official Aconite is also the species generally cultivated in gardens, though nearly all the species are worth growing as ornamental garden flowers, the best perhaps being A. Napellus, both white and blue, A. paniculatum, A. Japonicum and A. autumnale. All grow well in shade and under trees. Gerard grew four species in his garden: A. lyocotonum, A. variegatum, A. Napellus and A. Pyrenaicum.

---Part Used---Collection and Drying. The leaves, stem, flowering tops and root: the leaves and tops fresh, the root dried. The leaves and flowering tops are of less importance, they are employed for preparing Extract of Aconitum, and for this purpose are cut when the flowers are just breaking into blossom and the leaves are in their best condition, which is in June.

The roots should be collected in the autumn, after the stem dies down, but before the bud that is to produce the next year's stem has begun to develop. As this bud grows and forms a flowering stem, in the spring, some of the lateral buds develop into short shoots, each of which produces a long, slender, descending root, crowned with a bud. These roots rapidly thicken, filled with reserve material produced by the parent plant, the root of which dies as the 'daughter' roots increase in size. Towards the autumn, the parent plant dies down and the daughter roots which have then reached their maximum development are now full of starch. If allowed to remain in the soil, the buds that crown the daughter roots begin to grow, in the late winter, and this growth exhausts the strength of the root, and the proportion of both starch and alkaloid it contains is lessened.

On account of the extremely poisonous properties of the root, it is considered desirable that the root should be grown and collected under the same conditions, so that uniformity in the drug is maintained. The British Pharmacopceia specifies, therefore, that the roots should be collected in the autumn from plants cultivated in Britain and should consist of the dried, full-grown 'daughter' roots: much of the Aconite root that used to come in large quantities from Germany was the exhausted parent root of the wild-flowering plants.

When the roots are dug up, they are sorted over, the smallest laid aside for replanting and the plumper ones reserved for drying. They are first well washed in cold water and trimmed of all rootlets, and then dried, either entire, or longitudinally sliced to hasten drying.

Drying may at first be done in the open air, spread thinly, the roots not touching. Or they may be spread on clean floors or on shelves in a warm place for about ten days, turning frequently. When somewhat shrunken, they must be finished more quickly by artificial heat in a drying room or shed near a stove or gas fire, care being taken that the heated air can escape at the top of the room. Drying in an even temperature will probably take about a fortnight or more. It is not complete till the roots are dry to the core and brittle, snapping when bent.

Dried Aconite root at its upper extremity, when crowned with an undeveloped bud, enclosed by scaly leaves, is about 3/4 inch in diameter, tapering quickly downwards. It is dark brown in colour and marked with the scars of rootlets. The surface is usually longitudinally wrinkled, especially if it has been dried entire. The root breaks with a short fracture and should be whitish and starchy within. A transverse section shows a thick bark, separated from the inner portion by a well-marked darker line, which often assumes a stellate appearance. Aconite root as found in commerce is, however, often yellowish or brownish internally with the stellate markings not clearly shown, probably from having been collected too early. It should be lifted in the autumn of the second year.

Aconite root is liable to attack by insects, and after being well dried should be kept in securely closed vessels.

---Chemical Constituents---Aconite root contains from 0.3 to 1 per cent alkaloidal matter, consisting of Aconitine - crystalline, acrid and highly toxic - with the alkaloids Benzaconine (Picraconitine) and Aconine.

Aconitine, the only crystallizable alkaloid, is present to the extent of not more than 0.2 per cent, but to it is due the characteristic activity of the root. Aconite acid, starch, etc., are also present. On incineration, the root yields about 3 per cent ash.

The Aconitines are a group of highly toxic alkaloids derived from various species of Aconite, and whilst possessing many properties in common are chemically distinguishable according to the source from which they are obtained. The Aconitines are divided into two groups: (1) the Aconitines proper, including Aconitine, Japaconitine and Indaconitine, and (2) the Pseudaconitines - Pseudaconitine and Bikhaconitine.

This disparity between Aconites is a very important matter for investigation, though perhaps not so serious from a pharmaceutical point of view as might at first appear, since in the roots of several different species the alkaloid is found to possess similar physiological action; but this action varies in degree and the amount of alkaloid may be found to vary considerably. It is considered that the only reliable method of standardizing the potency of any of the Aconite preparations is by a physiological method: the lethal dose for the guinea-pig being considered to be the most convenient and satisfactory standard. Tinctures vary enormously as to strength, some proving seven times as powerful as others.

The Aconite which contains the best alkaloid, A. Napellus, is the old-fashioned, familiar garden variety, which may be easily recognized by its very much cut-up leaves, which are wide in the shoulder of the leaf - that part nearest the stem - and also by the purplish-blue flowers, which have the 'helmet' closely fitting over the rest of the flower, not standing up as a tall hood. All varieties of Aconite are useful, but this kind with the close set in helmet to the flower is the most valuable.

The Aconite derived from German root of A. Napellus appears to possess somewhat different properties to that prepared from English roots. The German roots may be recognized by the remains of the stem which crown the root. They are also generally less starchy, darker externally and more shrivelled than the English root and considered to be less active, probably because they are generally the exhausted parent roots.

---Medicinal Action and Uses---Anodyne, diuretic and diaphoretic. The value of Aconite as a medicine has been more fully realized in modern times, and it now rank as one of our most useful drugs. It is much used in homoeopathy. On account of its very poisonous nature, all medicines obtained from it come, however, under Table 1 of the poison schedule: Aconite is a deadly poison.

Both tincture and liniment of Aconite are in general use, and Aconite is also used in ointment and sometimes given as hypodermic injection. Preparations of Aconitc are employed for outward application locally to the skin to diminish the pain of neuralgia, lumbago and rheumatism.

The official tincture taken internelly diminishes the rate and force of the pulse in the early stages of fevers and slight local inflammations, such as feverish cold, larnyngitis, first stages of pneumonia and erysipelas; it relieves the pain of neuralgia, pleurisy and aneurism. In cardiac failure or to prevent same it has been used with success, in acute tonsilitis children have been well treated by a dose of 1 to 2 minims for a child 5 to 10 years old; the dose for adults is 2 to 5 minims, three times a day.
---Note---The tincture of Aconite of the British Pharmacopoeia 1914 is nearly double the strength of that in the old Pharmacopoeia of 1898.

Externally the linament as such or mixed with chloroform or belladonna liniment is useful in neuralgia or rheumatism.

---Poisoning from, and Antidotes---The symptons of poisoning are tingling and numbness of tongue and mouth and a sensation of ants crawling over the body, nausea and vomiting with epigastric pain, laboured breathing, pulse irregular and weak, skin cold and clammy, features bloodless, giddiness, staggering, mind remains clear. A stomach tube or emetic should be used at once, 20 minims of Tincture of Digitalis given if available, stimulants should be given and if not retained diluted brandy injected per rectum, artificial respiration and friction, patient to be kept lying down.

All the species contain an active poison Aconitine, one of the most formidable poisons which have yet been discovered: it exists in all parts of the plant, but especially in the root. The smallest portion of either root or leaves, when first put into the mouth, occasions burning and tingling, and a sense of numbness immediately follows its continuance. One-fiftieth grain of Aconitine will kill a sparrow in a few seconds; one-tenth grain a rabbit in five minutes. It is more powerful than prussic acid and acts with tremendous rapidity. One hundredth grain will act locally, so as to produce a well-marked sensation in any part of the body for a whole day. So acrid is the poison, that the juice applied to a wounded finger affects the whole system, not only causing pains in the limbs, but a sense of suffocation and syncope.

Some species of Aconite were well known to the ancients as deadly poisons. It was said to be the invention of Hecate from the foam of Cerberus, and it was a species of Aconite that entered into the poison which the old men of the island of Ceos were condemned to drink when they became infirm and no longer of use to the State. Aconite is also supposed to have been the poison that formed the cup which Medea prepared for Theseus. (Note---Aconite and Belladonna were said to be the ingredients in the witches' 'Flying ointments.' Aconite causes irregular action of the heart, and Belladonna produces delirium. These combined symptoms might give a sensation of 'flying.'---EDITOR)

Various species of Aconite possess the same narcotic properties as A. Napellus, but none of them equal in energy the A. ferox of the East Indies, the root of which is used there as an energetic poison under the name of Bikh or Nabee. Aconite poisoning of wells by A. ferox has been carried out by native Indians to stop the progress of an army. They also use it for poisoning spears, darts and arrows, and for destroying tigers.

All children should be warned against Aconite in gardens. It is wiser not to grow Aconite among kitchen herbs of any sort. The root has occasionally been mistaken for horse-radish, with fatal results - it is, however, shorter, darker and more fibrous - and the leaves have produced similar fatal results. In Ireland a poor woman once sprinkled powdered Aconite root over a dish of greens, and one man was killed and another seriously affected by it.

In 1524 and 1526 it is recorded that two criminals, to whom the root was given as an experiment, quickly died.

The older herbalists described it as venomous and deadly. Gerard says: 'There hath beene little heretofore set down concerning the virtues of the Aconite, but much might be saide of the hurts that have come thereby.' It was supposed to be an antidote against other poisons. Gerard tells us that its power was 'So forcible that the herb only thrown before the scorpion or any other venomous beast, causeth them to be without force or strength to hurt, insomuch that they cannot moove or stirre untill the herbe be taken away.' Ben Jonson, in his tragedy Sejanus, says:

'I have heard that Aconite

Being timely taken hath a healing might

Against the scorpion's stroke.'

Linnaeus reports Aconite to be fatal to cattle and goats when they eat it fresh, but when dried it does no harm to horses, a peculiarity in common with the buttercups, to which the Aconites are related. Field-mice are well aware of its evil nature, and in hard times, when they will attack almost any plant that offers them food, they leave this severely alone.

---Other Varieties---Japanese Aconite - syn. Aconitum Chinense - is regularly imported in considerable quantities. It used formerly to be ascribed to A. Fischer (Reichb.), but is now considered to be derived from A. uncinatum, var. Faponicum (Regel.) and possibly also from A. volubile (Pallas). It has conical or top-shaped, gradually tapering tuberous roots, 1 to 2 inches long, 1/3 to 1 inch in thickness at the top, externally covered with a brown, closely adhering skin internally white. Dried roots do not contain much alkaloid, if steeped when fresh in a mixture of common salt, vinegar and water. The poisonous alkaloid present is called Japaconitine, to distinguish it from the official Aconitine and the Pseudaconitine of A. laciniatum. Japaconitine is similar in constituents and properties with the Aconitine of A. Napellus.

Indian Aconite root or Nepal Aconite consists of the root of A. laciniatum (Staph.). It is also called Bikh or Bish, and is collected in Nepal. It is much larger than the English variety, being a conical, not suddenly tapering root, 2 to 4 inches long and an inch or more at the top, of a lighter brown than the official variety, the rootlet scars much fewer than the official root. Internally it is hard and almost resinous, the taste intensely acrid and is much shriveiled longitudinally. This root yields a very active alkaloid, Pseudoaconitine, which is allied to Aconitine and resembles it in many of its properties; it is about twice as active as Aconitine. Indian Aconite root was formerly attributed to A. ferox (Wall). Their large size and less tapering character sufficiently distinguish these from the official drug.

Other varieties of Aconite are A. chasmanthum (Staph.), known in India as Mohri, which contains Indaconitine, and A. spicatum, another Indian species containing Bikhaconitine, resembling Pseudaconitine.

Russian Aconite, A. orientale, grows abundantly in the Crimea and Bessarabia. It has a small, compact, greyish-black root with a transverse section similar to that of A. Napellus. Its taste is hot and acrid. When treated by a process which gave 0.0526 per cent of crystalline Aconitine from a sample of powdered root of A. Napellus, the dried root of A. orientale yielded 2.207 per cent of total alkaloids, which were, however, amorphous. The total alkaloid has not yet been investigated further.

A. heterophyllum (Wall), Atis root, is a plant growing in the Western temperate Himalayas. This species does not contain Aconitine and is said to be non-poisonous. Its chief constituent is an intensely bitter alkaloid - Atisine - possessing tonic and antiperiodic principles. A. palmatum, of Indian origin, yields a similar alkaloid, Palmatisine.

The province of Szechwen in West China grows large quantities of medicinal plants, among them A. Wilsoni, which is worth about 4s. per cwt., of which 55,000 lb. a year can be produced in this province; A. Fischeri, about four times the price, of which rather less are yearly available, and A. Hemsleyan, about the same price as the latter, of which about 27,000 lb. are available in an average year.

---Other Species---The Anthora, or Wholesome Aconite described by Culpepper, is a small plant about a foot high, with pale, divided green leaves, and yellow flowers - a native of the Alps. Its stem is erect, firm, angular and hairy; the leaves alternate and much cut into. The flowers are large, hooded with fragrant scent, growing on top of the branches in spikes of a pale yellow colour, smaller than the ordinary Monkshood and succeeded by five horn-like, pointed pods, or achenes, containing five angular seeds. It flowers in July and the seeds ripen at the end of August. The root is tuberous.

Culpepper tells us that the herb was used in his time, but not often. It was reputed to be very serviceable against vegetable poisons and 'a decoction of the root is a good lotion to wash the parts bitten by venomous creatures.' . . . 'The leaves, if rubbed on the skin will irritate and cause soreness and the pollen is also dangerous if blown in the eyes .'

As a matter of fact, this species of Aconite by no means deserves its reputation of harmlessness, for it is only poisonous in a less degree than the rest of the same genus, and the theory that it is a remedy against poison, particularly that of the other Aconites, is now an exploded one.

Parkinson, speaking of the Yellow Monkshood, calls it:

'The "counter-poison monkeshood" - the roots of which are effectual, not only against the poison of the poisonful Helmet Flower and all others of that kind, but also against the poison of all venomous beasts, the plague or pestilence and other infectious diseases, which raise spots, pockes, or markes in the outward skin, by expelling the poison from within and defending the heart as a most sovereign cordial.'

The so-called Winter Aconite, Aeranthis hyemalis, is not a true Aconite, though closely allied, being also a member of the Buttercup family, whose blossoms it more nearly resembles.

(a)Tincture Q: =	Drug Strength 1/10
Aconitum, moist magma containing solids	100gm.
Plant moisture 350 Cc.	= 450
Strong alcohol	683 Cc.
To make one thousand cubic centimeters of tincture.

(b) Dilutions: 2x to contain one part tincture, two parts distilled water, seven parts alcohol; 3x and higher with dispensing alcohol.

Sabadilla

Botanical: Veratrum sabadilla
Family: N.O. Liliaceae

Description
Constituents
Medicinal Action and Uses
Dosage
Poisonous, if any, with Antidotes

---Synonyms---Cevadilla. Schoenocaulon officinale. Melanthium sabadilla. Veratrum officinale. Helonias officinalis. Sabadilla officinarum. Asagraea officinalis. Sabadillermer.
---Parts Used---Seeds, dried fruit.
---Habitat---Southern North America, Guatemala and Venezuela.

---Description---The name Schcenocaulon indicates the habit of the scape, meaning 'a rush' and 'a stem.' The name Asagrcea commemorates Professor Asa Gray of Harvard University, the most distinguished of living American botanists. It is not quite certain whether the seeds are obtained from the Veratrum Sabadilla, a plant 3 or 4 feet high, or from the V. officinale, differing slightly in appearance and construction. The seeds are black, shining, flat, shrivelled and winged, odourless, with a bitter, acrid, persistent and disagreeable taste, the pale grey, amorphous powder being errhine and violently sternutatory. The seeds were known in Europe as early as 1752, but officially only as the source of veratrine.

---Constituents---Sabadilla contains several alkaloids, the most important being Cevadine, yielding cevine on hydrolysis; Veratrine, obtained from the syrupy liquor from which the cevadine has crystallized; and Cevadilline or Sabadillie, obtained after the extraction of the veratrine with ether.]

Two other alkaloids have been isolated: Sabadine, which is less sternutatory than veratrine, and Sabadinine, which is not sternutatory. Sabadilla yields about 0.3 per cent of veratrine. The seeds also contain veratric acid, cevadic acid, fat and resin.

[Top]

---Medicinal Action and Uses---Sabadilla, or cevadilla, is an acrid, drastic emeto-cathartic, in overdoses capable of producing fatal results. Cevine was found to be less poisonous than cevadine, though producing similar symptoms. The powdered seeds have been used as a vermifuge, and to destroy vermin in the hair, being the principal ingredient of the pulvis capucinorum used in Europe. Cevadilla was formerly used internally as an anthelmintic, and in rheumatic and neuralgic affections. The highly poisonous veratria, which is derived from it, has been given in minute doses internally in acute rheumatism and gout, and in some inflammatory diseases, but it must be used with caution. Veratria is useful as an ointment in rheumatism and neuralgia, but is regarded as being less valuable than aconite. The ointment is also employed for the destruction of pedicule. Applied to unbroken skin it produces tingling and numbness, followed by coldness and anaesthesia. Given subcutaneously, it causes violent pain and irritation, in addition to the symptoms following an internal dose. The principal reason against its internal use is its powerful action on the heart, the contractions of the organ becoming fewer and longer until the heart stops in systole.

GELSEMIUM.

Yellow Jessamine

Gelsemium sempervirens

The homeopathic remedy gelsemium is prepared using the freshly obtained roots of the twisting yellow jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) vine belonging to the Gelsemiaceae family and is used to treat pain and respiratory problems, especially those symptoms that are akin to those caused by gelsemium poisoning.

With adequate climbing support in trees, the yellow jessamine wines with their slender stems are capable of growing up to a height of 3 meters to 6 meters. The shiny and deep green leaves of this vine are evergreen growing throughout the year and are lance shaped growing up to 5 cm to 10 cm in length and 1.5 cm across. The flowers of this vine grow in clusters and each flower is around 3 cm in length and between 2.5 cm and 3.0 cm wide. Usually, the flowers have a resemblance to trumpet and have a yellowish hue, but some of them may have an orange color in the center. The flowers of yellow jessamine are potently aromatic and produce nectar, which helps to attract a wide variety of pollinators, including insects. In fact, several people have enjoyed the sweet fragrance of jessamine for centuries. Apart from its pleasant fragrance and nectar, the utility of this plant was discovered in homeopathy several years ago.

It is important to note that every part of the yellow jessamine vine encloses the alkaloids gelsemine and gelseminine related to the toxic substance called strychnine and, hence, it is not suitable for human consumption. Some people having sensitive skin may develop skin irritation when they come in contact with the sap of this toxic vine. There have been instances when children, mistaking the flower of the yellow jessamine plant for honeysuckle, have been poisoned following sucking the nectar from the flower.

All such hazards notwithstanding, the yellow jessamine vine is quite popular as a garden plant in warmer regions, where people often train them to grow over arbors/ bowers or to cover walls.

At the same time, it may be noted that all homeopathic medications that include yellow jessamine have definite indications. Like in the instance of treatment with any other homeopathic remedies, the medications that enclose yellow jessamine possess a very miniscule amount of the active element in order to ensure that it does not result in toxicity to the patients taking them.

It may be noted that the medicinal use of the yellow jessamine vines became extensive since mid-19th century. Initially and even to this day, this herb is primarily used to treat conditions, such as neuralgia (a jagged and spasmodic pain along the course of a nerve) and sciatica (an excruciating problem spreading from the hip down the back of the thigh and adjacent regions).

Individuals to respond best to the use of the homeopathic remedy gelsemium are those who are always apprehensive of losing control. Such people detest being bothered, particularly when they are feeling feverish. On the other hand, when these individuals have a dreary, dozy and giddy sensation, they desire to be embraced by others. In such situations, the faces of these individuals are flushed turning to deep red and accompanied by a tedious and infatuated look.

The main symptoms related to the homeopathic medication gelsemium include a common condition of physical as well as mental paralysis accompanied by debility and helplessness to carry out their routine functions. There have been occasions, when this homeopathic remedy has been administered to soldiers to reinforce their nerve on the battlefields. In addition, homeopathic practitioners also prescribe gelsemium to people enduring different types of phobias, nervousness before and during examinations, stage fear as well as to prevent other fears that may result in shuddering, debility, diarrhea and an urge for frequent urination. If such symptoms are not treated timely, they may result in more complex and grave neurological problems even leading to paralysis. However, turning to the homeopathic remedy gelsemium helps not only to cure the primary ailments, but also prevent as well as get relief from the associated conditions.

Apart from the health benefits offered by gelsemium, this homeopathic remedy is also prescribed to treat health conditions, such as severe influenza or throbbing throats accompanied with headaches with double vision, feebleness, wilted limbs, fever, colds as well as intense and tired out eyelids. People suffering from these symptoms may experience absence of need for liquids even when they are suffering from fever. Occasionally, homeopathic practitioners also prescribe gelsemium for people suffering from hay fever, provided the ailment is accompanied by the symptoms discussed above.

PARTS USED

The homeopathic remedy gelsemium is prepared using the freshly obtained roots of the yellow jessamine vine. After digging out the roots of the plant, they are chopped into fine pieces and subsequently drenched in alcohol for a period of time. Next, the resultant solution is filtered and watered down to the desired level of potency for use as the homeopathic medication gelsemium which is safe for human use and effective in treating a range of health conditions, especially those related to symptoms similar to those caused by poisoning due to exposure to the yellow jessamine plant. As with preparing any other homeopathic remedy, gelsemium too does not retain even the slightest trace of the original substance it is prepared from - the yellow jessamine vine roots.

USES

Traditionally, the yellow jessamine wine has been used in herbal medicine to treat pain as well as respiratory diseases. Even in homeopathy, gelsemium is normally prescribed in highly diluted solutions to cure health conditions that are accompanied by symptoms that are similar to those caused by gelsemium toxicity.

It may be noted that the homeopathic remedy gelsemium primarily works on the brain and the spinal cord, muscles, the motor cord, eyelids and mucous membranes. Regular use of this medication helps to provide relief from a painful scalp caused by inflammation of the nerve; headaches that worsen while the patient is in motion or due to bright light and the patient has a sensation as if the head has been constricted by a tight band; muscle aches related to fever caused by nervous disorder, for instance multiple sclerosis (a chronic progressive disease of the central nervous system); aching right eye; uterine pain as well as excruciating menstruation; problems in swallowing; a painful throat with reddish tonsils; earaches and summer colds. Turning to gelsemium helps to get quick relief from all these symptoms.

Homeopathic practitioners often prescribe gelsemium for people enduring symptoms of fever, including a perspiring, flushed face, a fuzzy, shaking tongue, shuddering muscles with a cold and painful sensation as well as colds accompanied by waves of heat down the spinal cord. In addition, the homeopathic medication gelsemium is also used to do away with fears, for instance the trepidation of undergoing any surgery or visiting a dentist for tooth removal as well as the terror endured by an individual following a shock. All the conditions mentioned here come together with shivering. Gelsemium is also an effective homeopathic remedy for feverishness or hyperactivity that may result in the heart missing a beat, stupor as well as insomnia or sleep disorders.

Occasionally, a painful throat may be associated with other symptoms and in such instances, one may be certain that these are owing to a severe influenza suffered by the patient. In fact, there are a number of other symptoms related to this condition (aching throat), for instance, headaches, fever, chills, and general debility. In such cases, turning to the homeopathic medication gelsemium facilitates in providing relief from these symptoms by fortifying the immune system of our body.

As mentioned before, there was a time when this homeopathic remedy was given to soldiers for enhancing their courage on the battlefield. Since then, gelsemium has been transformed into a homeopathic medication that helps treating specific mental problems. Hence, it is not surprising that homeopathic practitioners today prescribe gelsemium for people enduring different phobias, stage fright, nervous problems and any other case of shuddering, which may perhaps be an element of or may in some way add to any kind of mental disorder.

In addition, in homeopathy, gelsemium is indicated for treating migraine headache, nausea, nervous anxiety, chemotherapy support, dental support and recovery from surgery.

SOURCE

The yellow jessamine plant, which forms the basis for the homeopathic remedy gelsemium, is indigenous to the warm temperate as well as tropical climatic conditions prevailing from the north of Guatemala to the south-eastern regions of the United States.

Alternative Names:
Yellow jessamine ,Yellow jasmine, Wild woodbine, Carolina jasmin or Jessamine .

Herb Description

Gelsemium (Yellow jasmine) is a genus of flowering plants member of Gelsemiaceae family . The plant includes three species of shrubs to straggling or twining climbers. Two species are inherent to North America , and one to China & Southeast Asia . Its woody vine, twining stem generally attains great height from 20 - 30 feet, its growth depending upon its chosen support, ascending lofty trees and forming festoons from one tree to another. It is hardy to zone 9. It is in leaf all year. The bell-shaped flowers are very fragrant & blossoms in early spring-in Florida during March, and in Mississippi and Tennessee in May and June. The flowers has both male and female organs and are pollinated by insects. Gelsemium is known by numerous famous names, as Yellow jessamine, Yellow jasmin Carolina jessamine, Carolina jasmin, and Wild woodbine.

Gelsemium is used medicinally as an agent to treat fever , spasmodic disorders, and the pain of neuralgia . . Persons needing gelsemium experience heavy and tremble with exhaustion. They can also be thirsty. Complains come on very slowly, generally when then weather changes from cold to warm . Gelsemium have extremely toxic alkaloid components, and is not in current medical use. Even very little doses may prove lethal.

Hi s t o r y . -Ge l s emi um s emp e r v i r e n s i s a n a t i v e o f t h e S o u t h e r n
Uni t ed St a t e s , be ing abundant in the swamps , woods and thi cke t s ,
from Virginia to Florida. It is a handsome climber, twenty to fifty
feet in length, blooming in early spring, its flowers being overpowe r ingly f r agr ant . The name, given by Jussieu, was made from the
Italian word GeL.soz.&o, me aning j a smine . But it is not a jessamine,
and inasmuch as there is a true jessamine with yellow flowers, E. M.
Holme s , of London, cons ide r s i t unfor tuna t e tha t the t e rm y e l l o w
jessamine ha s be en appl i ed to i t . Thi s common name , howeve r , i s
now f i rmly e s t abl i shed. I t s I t a l i a n n ame , Gelsomiao, p o s s i b l y l e d
Eclectic authors to use the name Gelsemizum instead of Gelsem&z,
a term found in early Eclectic literature and but recently displaced,
a term perhaps, so far as derivation is concerned, more appropriate
than the name commonly employed. In this connection it may be
said that Professor Scudder invariably used the word GeZsemz&n.*’
Medical History.-Barton and his co-laborers did not mention Gelsemium, but Rafinesque (1830) gave it a place, stating that
“Root and flowers" a r e na r cot i c , the i r e f f luvi a may c aus e s tupor ,
tincture of the root is used for rheumatism in frictions,” a statement
t aken a lmos t l i t e r a l ly f rom El l iot t ’ s Bot any of South Ca rol ina and
Georgia, 1821.*’ The medical record (King) had its origin through
* 1 - I n an English botanical work in the Lloyd Library, which I can not now locate, a long
discussion appeared concerning the two words. If memory serves me correctly, the decision was
in favor of Gelseminum.
* 2 - T h e statement has been made and possibly established that honey from the flowers of
this plant is narcotic.
*3-Stephen Elliott was born in Beaufort, S. C., November and died in Charleston,
March 28, 1830. He was studiously inclined, graduating from Yale in 1791. Returning to his
Southern home he thereafter continued his studies, which inclined toward science, especially
botany, his researched in that direction being specialized in the flora of South Carolina and
Georgia, through which States he traveled and lectured on the subject. He became editor o f the
Southern Review, and took a conspicuous part in founding the Literary and Philosophical Society,
and the Medical Society of South Carolina, being elected President of the first named body. He
was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Science, received the degree of LL. D. from
Yale 1819, from Harvard 1822.‘and from Columbia in 1825. Between 1823 and 1830 he was Professor
of Natural History and Botany in the Charleston Medical College. In civil affairs he was no less
interested than in science, being a member of the lower house of the South Carolina Legislature.
1793-1812, and was elected President of the State Bank, organized in 1812, which position he held
during the remainder of his life. His natural history collection was very large. In 1821 he
published the first volume of his “Botany of South Carolina aud Georgia,” and in 1824 the second
volume appeared. This work is often referred to by Porcher, and has been freely culled by subse.
quent authors, serving as a foundation for the medical uses of many Southern drugs. Too often
little or no credit was given the author. Witness the remarks of Rafinesque concerning Gelsemium.
which serves as a text for this biographical note, and which has served a chain of writers
whose references scarcely alter the words of Elliott.
2GELSEMIUM.
the mi s t ake of a s e rvant of a Southe rn pl ant e r who wa s a f f l i c t ed
wi th f eve r . Thi s s e rvant by e r ror gave hi s ma s t e r a de coc t ion of
Gelsemium root, instead of the garden plant intended. I m m e d i a t e
loss of muscular power and great depression followed, all control of
the limbs was lost, the eyelids drooped and could not be voluntarily
o p e n e d . D e a t h s e e m e d i m m i n e n t . B u t t h e e f f e c t s f i n a l l y w o r e
away and the man recovered, free from fever, which did not recur.
An observing physician took this experience as a text and prepared
from Gelsemium a remedy which he called the “Electrical Febrifuge,”
which attained some popularity. Finally, the name of the drug concerned was given to the profession. This statement is found in the
first edition of King’s American Eclectic Dispensatory’ 1852, which
w o r k a c t u a l l y p r e s e n t e d G e l s e m i u m t o t h e w o r l d o f m e d i c i n e ’
although, as will be shown later, the plant had a recorded position
much earlier. King’s article on Gelsemium was copied in substance
by the United States Dispensatory, 1854, none of the preceding nine
edi t ions of tha t work having ment ioned the drug. But the fact is
that Porcher*commended Gelsemium in his report to the American
Medical Association, 1849 and, concerning its restricted local use in
gonorrhea and rheumatism, referred to Frost’s Elements of Materia
Medica (South Carolina) as well as to several local journal articles.
For a long time following 1852 (at which date King’s American
Di s p e n s a t o r y a p p e a r e d ) , Ge l s emi um r ema i n e d a n a lmo s t e x c l u s i v e
remedy of the Eclectic school, but in 1860 it attained a position in
the U. S. Pharmacopoeia, although not until 1880 did that work give
pl a c e to any pr epa r a t ion of Ge l s emium. At present the drug is in
much favor with many physicians of the Regular school, and should
in justice to themselves be used by most of them, but it is generally
classed as one of the Eclectic remedies’ being actually one of the
mos t impor t ant in Ec l e c t i c the r apy. ?

N o t w i t h s t a n d i n g i t s e n e r g e t i c e f f e c t s , q u e s t i o n s h a v e a r i s e n
c o n c e r n i n g t h e l e t h a l p owe r s o f Ge l s emi um, a n d b e c a u s e i n o n e
instance a lad of twenty years swallowed six fluid drachms of the
t i n c t u r e wi t h o u t s e r i o u s r e s u l t s , the a r g ume n t h a s b e e n a d v a n c e d
tha t Ge l s emium i s not a poi son, But probably the t inc tur e t aken
was at fault; we have seen specimens that need not have been feared
if swallowed in any amount, short of alcoholic effect. The fact is,
ma n y a u t h e n t i c c a s e s o f d e a t h f r om Ge l s emi um
a r e o n r e c o r d , a l t h o u g h n o n e h a v e c o m e u n d e r
our immedi a t e obs e rva t ion.
De s c r i p t i o n .-T h e r h i z o m e a n d r o o t o f
G e l s e m i u m a r e v e r y t o u g h , w o o d y a n d b r i t t l e
w h e n d r y . T h e r h i z o m e a t t a i n s t h e l e n g t h o f
m a n y f e e t a n d m a y b e o n e t o t w o i n c h e s i n
di ame t e r , the knot a t the s t em ba s e even r e a ching the size of a Man’s f i s t a n d w e i g h i n g h a l f
a p o u n d . T h e r h i z o m e i s b r o wn externally a n d
n e a r l y w h i t e w i t h i n . W h e n c h e w e d t h e b a r k
imparts a bitter taste, not otherwise disagreeable,
b u t a s t h e v i r t u e s r e s i d e a l m o s t w h o l l y i n t h e
bark, the wood is nearly tasteless. T h e rhizomebark is thin, clings close to the wood, and carries
nume rous tough, s i lky, ba s t f ibe r s , whi ch, howe v e r , i n o u r e x p e r i e n c e , a r e n o t a s a b u n d a n t
as some authors have described. When green, the
b r u i s e d r h i z o m e e x h a l e s a p e c u l i a r , h o n e y - l i k e
odor , to the wr i t e r ve ry pl e a s ing and cha r a c t e r -
i s t i c , Thi s di s appe a r s on drying the drug. F o r
t h i r t y y e a r s o r m o r e , E c l e c t i c p h y s i c i a n s h a v e
i n s i s t e d t h a t t h e g r e e n d r u g p o s s e s s e s q u a l i t i e s
a l t o g e t h e r a b s e n t i n t h e d r y . T h i s w e a c c e p t
w i t h o u t r e s e r v e , a n d f o r d e c a d e s h a v e w o r k e d
o n l y t h e g r e e n d r u g , b e l i e v i n g t h a t t h e p o i n t
a s c o n c e r n s i t s s u p e r i o r i t y i s n o t d e b a t a b l e ,
and that, too, notwithstanding that the described
a l k a l o i d s a n d o t h e r p r o d u c t s b r o k e n o u t o f t h e
d r u g a r e f i x e d , a n d t h e o f f i c i a l pharmacopoœial
preparations are made from the dry root.
Constituents .-In 1855 Mr. Henry Kollock identified an alkaloid whi ch he named gelsemim, a resin, and a volatile oil. In 1869
b o t h P r o f . Ma i s c h a nd C. L . E b e r l e a g a i n o b t a i n e d t h e a l k a l o i d ,
stating, however, that it was absent from the wood of the root, aGELSEMIUM.
point Ge r r a rd a f t e rwa rd suppor t ed. In 1870 P r o f . W o r m l e y i d e n -
t i f i ed Ge l s emi c Ac id in a f luid ext r a c t , whi ch subs t anc e Chas, A,
Robbins, 1876, pronounced identical with Ksculin. Prof. Fluckiger,
s o o n a f t e rwa r d , f r om s p e c ime n s o f p u r e Ge l s emi c Ac i d ma d e f o r
him by the writer, denied their identity,*’ and this view was supp o r t e d b y W o r m l e y ( 1 8 8 2 ) a n d Coblentz*‘( 1897). Sinc e (1898)
Prof. E. Schmidt gave the formula Cl0 Hg O4 to Gelsemic Acid, which
is the same as the formula of beta-methyl-zsculetin.
T h e q u a l i t i e s a n d c o n s t i t u t i o n o f t h e a l k a l o i d , o r r a t h e r w e
should say of the aZk&ids, for the subject of their number is yet one
o f d i s c u s s i o n , a r e y e t u n d e r d i s p u t e . S o n n e n s c h e im a n d Robbins
(1876) gave Cl1 HIQ NOs, while Gerrard (1893) gave Cl2 H,* NO%, with
which Spiegel (1893) agreed. Thompson (1887) identified mo alkaloids, one of which he called g-&em&e, the other gdseminine, and this
(1893) was supported by Cushny. Prof. L. E. Sayre showed (1897)
that the vine contained neither alkaloid nor acid, identifying 0.2%
of alkaloid in the rhizome and 0.37% Gelsemic Acid. The root contained less alkaloid (0.17%). The difference, however, in proportion
of alkaloid is only one of bark relationship. Since all the alkaloid
is found in the bark, which in the rhizome bears a less proportion to
the wood than in the small roots, the root yields more alkaloid than
the rhizome.
GeZsemine ( e i the r or both the a lka loids ) i s color l e s s , odor l e s s ,
very bitter, slightly soluble in water, soluble in dilute acids, chloroform and ether. I t produc e s the poi sonous e f f e c t s of Ge l s emium.
This should not be confused with the so-called concentration Gelsemin (see p. 7).
GeZsemic AC&?! is in brilliant, colorless crystals, nearly insoluble
in water, soluble in hot alcohol, from which it mostly crystallizes on
cool ing. I t exi s t s e i the r f r e e in the drug, or combined so loos e ly
(pe rhaps both f r e e and combined) , a s to be e a s i ly l ibe r a t ed f rom
solution without the use of chemicals. Gelsemic Acid is tasteless,
b u t t r a c e s e v e n p r o d u c e a n i n t e n s e b l u e f l u o r e s c e n c e i n a l k a l i n e
w a t e r . It is the substance that gives the blue color to liquids of
Gelsemium, but when isolated it has no value whatever in therapy,
so far as any of the known Gelsemium qualities are concerned. I f
a fluorescent aqueous solution of Gelsemic Acid be exposed to the
s u n l i g h t , i t q u i c k l y ( M i s s M a r g a r e t S t e w a r t ) l o s e s i t s b l u e n e s s ,
and the fluoreence is not restored by ammonia.
*&-Private correspondent. So far as I know Profezsor Fluckiger did not publish his resultz.
-The Gelsemic Acid used by Coblentz was also made by me, and was identical with that
W& by IWackiger. It waz pure white, and crystalline.
5GELSEM IUM.
--.
All this problematic chemistry of Gelsemium products is however a matter of indi f f e r enc e to the phys i c i an de s i r ing a ba l anc ed
r epr e s ent a t ive pr epa r a t ion of Ge l s emium, pa r t ly be c aus e the que s -
tionable basic products on record, as well as the resin and extractives,
a r e obt a ined f rom the dry root and not f rom the gr e en, None of
them carry the qualities of the preparations of Gelsemium that have
made the the r apeut i c a l r eput a t ion of the drug. If the drying process did not break the natural interstructural combination, the heroic
chemistry used in splitting it into fragments would accomplish that
r e s u l t . These alkaloids and other products are obtained from Gels emium, but we ne i the r compr ehend how they have be en c r e a t ed,
nor what their natural relationships may be, nor yet the part they
bear to the host that gives them birth, and which, as a whole, is so
sensitive as to forbid even the process of drying, if one wishes the
fullest and finest qualities of Gelsemium.
P H A R M A C E U T I C A L P R E P A R A T I O N S .
Dist i l late. -The fact that bruised, green Gelsemium root exhales a pleasant odor, which disappears on drying, indicates that this
s u b s t a n c e s h o u l d imp a r t i t s q u a l i t i e s t o wa t e r d i s t i l l e d f r om t h e
crushed green rhizome. This, however, is not the case, the distillate
being of a very different odor. The fact that certain of the qualities
of the green root are not possessed by the dry, indicates also that
a n a c t i v e , v o l a t i l e s u b s t a n c e s h o u l d b e o b t a i n e d b y d i s t i l l a t i o n .
However, the distillate is devoid of any Gelsemium quality. It is
limpid, clear, possesses no volatile oil, differs in odor from green
Gelsemium, and can be swallowed with impunity. Ei the r the he a t
of distillation destroys the natural volatile compounds; or they are
so evanescent as to vaporize by the touch of hot water, not to condens e ; or oxyda t ion produc e s new subs t anc e s whi ch have the f r a -
grance of the green drug, but are permanent as gases.* This distillate
p o s s e s s e s n o n e o f t h e r e m e d i a l c h a r a c t e r s o f G e l s e m i u m a n d i s
devoid of the r apeut i c int e r e s t .
Fluid E x t r a c t .- T h is i s the usua l shop pr epa r a t ion, and
became official in 1880. It has a dark red color, and is made from
d r y Ge l s emi um. T h e p r e s e n c e o f Ge l s emi c Ac i d g i v e s it a b l u e
fluorescence, and, if it be a representative preparation, the presence
of the poi sonous a lka loid give s i t a de c ided l e tha l a c t ion. T h e
Fluid E x t r a c t i s n o t u s e d t o a n y g r e a t e x t e n t b y E c l e c t i c p h y s i -
cians, and is too familiar to others to require special attention,
* l t does not necessarily follow that an odoriferous substance is a condensible gas. Wh i le
it i s true that such bodies as oil of gaultheria are volatile and susceptible to recovery by distiliation and condensation, it is also true that other odoriferous substances, e. g. musk and certain
penetrating perfumes, do not parallel such bodies.
6GELSEMIUM.
Gelsemin.-This substance is one of the intruded* members
of che o l d E c l e c t i c r e s i n s ( r e s i n o i d s ) a n d c o n c e n t r a t i o n s . It wa s
i n t r o d u c e d f r om t h e o u t s i d e a n d b e c ame a t t a c h e d t o E c l e c t i c i sm,
but was discarded under protest, decades ago, by Eclectic physicians.
It has since been used mainly by physicians who are not conversant
with m’odern improved Eclectic pharmacy. Geisemin is an extractive
mixture of such products of the drug as can be retained in a dry
f o rm, a n d i s c omp o s e d mo s t l y o f i n e r t ma t e r i a l . I t s h o u l d c a r r y
the alkaloids of the drug, for they are fixed, and there is no reason
why a dried extract should be devoid of them. Death has resulted
from the error of giving the very poisonous &aZozZ Ge l s emine for
the less active 4‘coticentvation” Gelsemin, and the principle reason for
our giving space to this paragraph is to call attention to the fact that
the “resinoid” GeZse&z is not the alkaloid GeZsem&e. Since Gelsemin
is an inferior product, neither certain in construction nor commendable in quality as regards even dried Gelsemium, it would be better
if physicians seeking a Gelsemium product would take the experience of physicians who, half a century ago, came near having their
opportunities wrecked on the uncertainties of the resinoid, alkaloid,
concentrations,of which Gelsemin is a member, and which, but for
the influence of Professor John King and others, might have been
disastrous to the Eclectic school. In this connection, be it said, at
no time did Gelsemin ever gain recognition, even in name, in any
edi t ion of the Ame r i c an Di spens a tory.
Specific Medicine G-elsemium.-This preparation is, in
our opinion, the pr e f e r abl e form of Ge l s emium. I t ha s a golden,
a m b e r coIor, and when shaken does not stain the gIass. It is poss e s s e d o f a d e l i c a t e f r a g r a n c e , r e m i n d i n g o n e o f h o n e y . W h e n
d r o p p e d i n t o w a t e r , a l c o h o l , s y r u p , o r g l y c e r i n , n o p r e c i p i t a t i o n
occurs, the liquid remaining transparent. (See footnote page 8.)
The color imparted to water by small amounts of Specific Gels emi um i s s l i g h t , e x c e p t i n g t h e b l u e f l u o r e s c e n c e , wh i c h c a n b e
observed on the side next the light. In looking through an aqueous
mixtur e towa rds the l ight , no blue color i s seen.? A few drops of
ammonia increases the yellow color of the liquid and also enhances
the fluorescence.
The taste of the Specific Gelsemium is bitter, at the same time
the f l avor , due to the odor , be come s appa r ent . When a f ew drops
- -
* By “intruded“ we mean the “resinoids” that were not introduced by Eclectics. If the interested reader will take the pains to look up the Eclectic Dispensatory record, it will be seen that
dried solid extracts were never sanctioned by Eclecticism. They were introduced from outaide.
*The best way to catch this blue fluorescence is, while near a window, to look down into a
dilution. The side of the container next the window will be vividly marked. The substance
(Qelsemic Acid) that gives this reaction is not, however, in itself (see p. 5) of any material value
in therapy.
7-P
GELSEMIUM.
- -
of Specific Gelsemium_is mixed with water in a test tube, the usual
r e a c t i o n s f o r a l k a l o i d s a r e t o b e o b t a i n e d , a l t h o u g h , a s h a s b e e n
repeatedly stated, we consider the alkaloidal feature but one of the
f o r t i f y i n g q u a l i t i e s o f t h i s p r e p a r a t i o n . I n o u r o p i n i o n , t h e c a r e
exerted in selecting material, the study made of methods and processes, the advantages possessed in apparatus devoted to this class
of preparations, makes of Specific Gelsemium a thing in itself, as
cont r a s t ed wi th othe r Ge l s emium produc t s . Spe c i f i c Medi c ine Ge l . ,
semium is a perfect pharmaceutical preparation, of exact and uniform
quality, standing the effects of any climate, and retaining its energies
indefinitely.*

ADONIS VERNALIS

N. O. ---Ranunculaceae.

Latin, Adonis apennina ; English, Pheasant’s Eye.

Description:--

A deciduous, perennial herb, 1 feet high, Its lower leaves are abortive, the upper sessile, multifid. Its flowers appear from March to May, on the summit of each stem and branch ; are bright yellow and cup-shaped ; the involucre absent, sepals five, petals five to fifteen.

Found in :-a native of Northern Europe and Asia and has been found growing spontaneously in Western New York and Kentucky.

Part Used:--

Entire fresh plant

Preparation:--

(a)Tincture Q: =	Drug Strength 1/10
Adonis vernalis, moist magma containing solids	100gm.
Plant moisture 250 Cc.	= 350
Distilled Water	250 Cc.
Strong alcohol	537 Cc.
To make one thousand cubic centimeters of tincture.

(b) Dilutions: 2x to contain one part tincture, three parts distilled water, six parts alcohol; 3x and higher with dispensing alcohol.

ACTAEA SPICATA

(Actaea americana) N. O. ---Ranunculaceae.

Latin, Actaea americana, A. brachypetala, A. lon. gipes, A. rubra, A. Nigra Radix Christopherianae ;English, Cohosh, Herb Christopher, Baneberry ; French, Racin de Saint-Christophe ; German, Christophswurz.

Description:--

A deciduous, perennial herb, with a short, slender rhizome of blackish-gray color. The stem is erect, 2 to 3 feet high, leafless and scaly at the base, The leaves are two to three ternatley compound and ovate, leaflets sharply cleft and toothed. The white flowers which appear from April to June are in a short, thick, terminal, ovate raceme. Pedicels are the length of the flowers, scarcely thickened when in fruit.

Found in :-A native of Central and Northern Europe, grows in bushy, mountainous, lime-stone districts. It has been found from Canada to Pennsylvania.

Introduced in homoeopathic

In 1852 by Dr. Petroz. Journ. d. I. Soc. Gal. III. 12. [Allen’s Encyc. Mat. Med. I. 45.]

Part Used:--

The fresh root.

Preparation:--

(a)Tincture Q: =	Drug Strength 1/10
Actaea spicata, moist magma containing solids	100gm.
Plant moisture 200 Cc.	= 300
Strong alcohol	824 Cc.
To make one thousand cubic centimeters of tincture.

(b) Dilutions: 2x and higher with dispensing alcohol.