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
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* 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.
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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.*