WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only.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 Hepatica
HEPATICAHEPAT
The leaves of Hepatica nobilis var. acuta (Anemone acutiloba) (Pursh) Steyermark, and of Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa (A. hepatica) (Pursh) Steyermark (Nat. Ord. Ranunculaceae). Common in rich woods in the United States. Dose, 5 to 60 grains. Common Names: Liverleaf, Liverwort, American Liverleaf, Kidney Liverleaf (A. Hepatica), Heart Liverleaf (A. acutiloba). Principal Constituents.Tannin, mucilage, and a bland oleoresin. Preparation.Specific Medicine Hepatica. Dose, 1 to 60 drops. Specific Indication.Irritation and hypersecretion of mucous membranes. Action and Therapy.A mild, mucilaginous astringent, used sometimes to allay bronchial irritation, with free secretion and similar conditions of the gastro-intestinal tract. It may be exhibited when there is subacute or acute inflammation, and in cough with expectoration of bloody mucus. It is one of the negative medicines that occasionally meets special conditions when more energetic agents, seemingly indicated, would aggravate. It came into use under mistaken identity for another plant and acquired a great reputation for virtues it did not possess. The infusion may be given liberally.1
The leaves of Hepatica nobilis var. acuta (Anemone acutiloba) (Pursh) Steyermark, and of Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa (A. hepatica) (Pursh) Steyermark (Nat. Ord. Ranunculaceae). Common in rich woods in the United States. Dose, 5 to 60 grains. Common Names: Liverleaf, Liverwort, American Liverleaf, Kidney Liverleaf (A. Hepatica), Heart Liverleaf (A. acutiloba). Principal Constituents.Tannin, mucilage, and a bland oleoresin. Preparation.Specific Medicine Hepatica. Dose, 1 to 60 drops. Specific Indication.Irritation and hypersecretion of mucous membranes. Action and Therapy.A mild, mucilaginous astringent, used sometimes to allay bronchial irritation, with free secretion and similar conditions of the gastro-intestinal tract. It may be exhibited when there is subacute or acute inflammation, and in cough with expectoration of bloody mucus. It is one of the negative medicines that occasionally meets special conditions when more energetic agents, seemingly indicated, would aggravate. It came into use under mistaken identity for another plant and acquired a great reputation for virtues it did not possess. The infusion may be given liberally.1
References
1) Felter, Harvey Wickes, 1922, The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Cincinnati, Ohio.