WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only.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 Gentiana
FRASERA
The dried root of Frasera carolinensis, Walter (Nat. Ord. Gentianaceae). A striking plant found in the Middle and Southern States, west of the Alleghenies. Dose, 5 to 60 grains. Common Name: American Columbo. Principal Constituents.Gentiopicrin, gentistic acid, and berberine. (?) Preparation.Specific Medicine Frasera. Dose, 5 to 60 drops. Action and Therapy.The recent root is reputed cathartic and emetic. When dried it is a simple, mild tonic to be used like the simple bitters. Scudder regarded it as a stimulant to the circulation and to the vegetative functions. Its persistent use in moderate doses is said to have overcome obstinate constipation; like the other simple bitters, it may be of some value in chronic catarrhal dyspepsia. From 5 to 60 drops of Specific Medicine Frasera, well diluted, may be given every four hours.1
The dried root of Frasera carolinensis, Walter (Nat. Ord. Gentianaceae). A striking plant found in the Middle and Southern States, west of the Alleghenies. Dose, 5 to 60 grains. Common Name: American Columbo. Principal Constituents.Gentiopicrin, gentistic acid, and berberine. (?) Preparation.Specific Medicine Frasera. Dose, 5 to 60 drops. Action and Therapy.The recent root is reputed cathartic and emetic. When dried it is a simple, mild tonic to be used like the simple bitters. Scudder regarded it as a stimulant to the circulation and to the vegetative functions. Its persistent use in moderate doses is said to have overcome obstinate constipation; like the other simple bitters, it may be of some value in chronic catarrhal dyspepsia. From 5 to 60 drops of Specific Medicine Frasera, well diluted, may be given every four hours.1
GENTIANAGEBI5
The dried rhizome and roots of Gentiana lutea, Linné (Nat. Ord. Gentianaceae.) Common in the mountainous regions of southern and central Europe. Dose, 10 to 30 grains. Common Names: Gentian, Gentian Root. Principal Constituents.Gentiopicrin, an active, bitter glucoside, associated with gentisic acid or gentisin (C14H10O5). No tannin is present but a coloring matter which is darkened by iron compounds. Preparations,1. Infusum Gentianae, Infusion of Gentian. Dose, 1 fluidrachm to 1 fluidounce. 2. Specific Medicine Gentiana. Dose, 5 to 30 drops. 3. Tinctura Gentianae Composita, Compound Tincture of Gentian. (Contains Gentian 10 percent, Bitter Orange Peel, and Cardamon.) Dose, 1/2 to 1 fluidrachm. Specific Indications.Sense of epigastric depression, with physical and mental weariness; atony of stomach and bowels, with imperfect digestion. Action and Therapy.Gentian is one of the best of the simple bitter tonics, for the action of which compare Calumba. In large doses, however, it is capable of deranging digestion, with the production of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, and fullness of the pulse, with headache. It is contraindicated in gastric irritability or inflammation. The chief use of gentian is to promote the appetite and improve digestion in states of chronic debility. This it does when given in moderate doses. For atony of the stomach and bowels, with feeble or slow digestion, it is an ideal stimulating tonic; and after prolonged fevers and infections, when the forces of life are greatly depressed and recovery depends upon increased power to assimilate foods, gentian may be used to improve gastric digestion and thus hasten the convalescence. Gentian is especially useful in anorexia, in the dyspepsia of malarial origin, and in subacute gastritis and intestinal catarrh. The infusion and the compound tincture of gentian may be used alone or as vehicles for other medicines.1
The dried rhizome and roots of Gentiana lutea, Linné (Nat. Ord. Gentianaceae.) Common in the mountainous regions of southern and central Europe. Dose, 10 to 30 grains. Common Names: Gentian, Gentian Root. Principal Constituents.Gentiopicrin, an active, bitter glucoside, associated with gentisic acid or gentisin (C14H10O5). No tannin is present but a coloring matter which is darkened by iron compounds. Preparations,1. Infusum Gentianae, Infusion of Gentian. Dose, 1 fluidrachm to 1 fluidounce. 2. Specific Medicine Gentiana. Dose, 5 to 30 drops. 3. Tinctura Gentianae Composita, Compound Tincture of Gentian. (Contains Gentian 10 percent, Bitter Orange Peel, and Cardamon.) Dose, 1/2 to 1 fluidrachm. Specific Indications.Sense of epigastric depression, with physical and mental weariness; atony of stomach and bowels, with imperfect digestion. Action and Therapy.Gentian is one of the best of the simple bitter tonics, for the action of which compare Calumba. In large doses, however, it is capable of deranging digestion, with the production of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, and fullness of the pulse, with headache. It is contraindicated in gastric irritability or inflammation. The chief use of gentian is to promote the appetite and improve digestion in states of chronic debility. This it does when given in moderate doses. For atony of the stomach and bowels, with feeble or slow digestion, it is an ideal stimulating tonic; and after prolonged fevers and infections, when the forces of life are greatly depressed and recovery depends upon increased power to assimilate foods, gentian may be used to improve gastric digestion and thus hasten the convalescence. Gentian is especially useful in anorexia, in the dyspepsia of malarial origin, and in subacute gastritis and intestinal catarrh. The infusion and the compound tincture of gentian may be used alone or as vehicles for other medicines.1
References
1) Felter, Harvey Wickes, 1922, The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Cincinnati, Ohio.