WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.
Felter's Materia Medica on Asarum Candense
ASARUM CANDENSE
The rhizome and rootlets of Asarum canadense, Linné (Nat. Ord. Aristolochiaceae). A native perennial of the United States found in rich soils in woods, mountains, and along road sides. Dose, 5 to 30 grains. Common Names: Wild Ginger, Indian Ginger, Canada Snakeroot. Principal Constituents.An acrid resin, a spicy volatile oil, and thought to contain among other fractions, methyl-eugenol, a principle not before found in nature. Preparations.1. Tinctura Asari, Tincture of Asarum. Dose, 1/2 to 2 fluidrachms. 2. Infusum Asari, Infusion of Asarum (1/2 ounce; Water, 16 ounces). Dose, ad libitum. 3. Syrupus Asari, Syrup of Asarum. Dose, 1-2 fluidrachms. Action and Therapy.A very pleasant stimulating carminative, diaphoretic and emmenagogue, of considerable value in amenorrhea from recent colds, in atonic dysmenorrhea, and in flatulent colic. A warm infusion is a very good diaphoretic with which to break up a cold. Asarum may be added to cough mixtures, and with syrup forms a very agreeable vehicle for the administration of pectoral medicines to be used in the chronic coughs of debility to aid expectoration. It is contraindicated by gastro-intestinal inflammation. 1
The rhizome and rootlets of Asarum canadense, Linné (Nat. Ord. Aristolochiaceae). A native perennial of the United States found in rich soils in woods, mountains, and along road sides. Dose, 5 to 30 grains. Common Names: Wild Ginger, Indian Ginger, Canada Snakeroot. Principal Constituents.An acrid resin, a spicy volatile oil, and thought to contain among other fractions, methyl-eugenol, a principle not before found in nature. Preparations.1. Tinctura Asari, Tincture of Asarum. Dose, 1/2 to 2 fluidrachms. 2. Infusum Asari, Infusion of Asarum (1/2 ounce; Water, 16 ounces). Dose, ad libitum. 3. Syrupus Asari, Syrup of Asarum. Dose, 1-2 fluidrachms. Action and Therapy.A very pleasant stimulating carminative, diaphoretic and emmenagogue, of considerable value in amenorrhea from recent colds, in atonic dysmenorrhea, and in flatulent colic. A warm infusion is a very good diaphoretic with which to break up a cold. Asarum may be added to cough mixtures, and with syrup forms a very agreeable vehicle for the administration of pectoral medicines to be used in the chronic coughs of debility to aid expectoration. It is contraindicated by gastro-intestinal inflammation. 1
References
1) Felter, Harvey Wickes, 1922, The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Cincinnati, Ohio.