WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only.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 Linum
HUMULUS
The strobiles of Humulus Lupulus, Linné (Nat. Ord. Urticaceae). Europe and Asia; common in cultivation. Common Names: Hops, Hop. Principal Constituents.Lupulin (see Lupulinum), hop-bitter acid, humulitannic acid, resins, volatile oil and asparagine, trimethylamine, and choline. Preparation.Specific Medicine Humulus. Dose, 1 to 60 drops. Specific Indications.(See Lupulinum.) Action and Therapy.External. A hop-pillow is a favorite device for procuring sleep. The odor of the hop has a decidedly sedative influence upon some individuals, relieving headache and producing sleep; in others it produces intense headache, with nausea and vomiting. Probably the psychic effect has much to do with its value in insomnia. A hot "hop bag" applied to the face is a favorite domestic cure for neuralgic face ache, and a hop poultice has anodyne properties. Internal. This is a remedy to relieve nervous excitability in fevers and to induce sleep. It also checks fermentation of the stomach contents and thus proves useful in fermentative dyspepsia with acid eructations. For other uses see Lupulinum, which has superseded hops largely as an internal medicine.1
The strobiles of Humulus Lupulus, Linné (Nat. Ord. Urticaceae). Europe and Asia; common in cultivation. Common Names: Hops, Hop. Principal Constituents.Lupulin (see Lupulinum), hop-bitter acid, humulitannic acid, resins, volatile oil and asparagine, trimethylamine, and choline. Preparation.Specific Medicine Humulus. Dose, 1 to 60 drops. Specific Indications.(See Lupulinum.) Action and Therapy.External. A hop-pillow is a favorite device for procuring sleep. The odor of the hop has a decidedly sedative influence upon some individuals, relieving headache and producing sleep; in others it produces intense headache, with nausea and vomiting. Probably the psychic effect has much to do with its value in insomnia. A hot "hop bag" applied to the face is a favorite domestic cure for neuralgic face ache, and a hop poultice has anodyne properties. Internal. This is a remedy to relieve nervous excitability in fevers and to induce sleep. It also checks fermentation of the stomach contents and thus proves useful in fermentative dyspepsia with acid eructations. For other uses see Lupulinum, which has superseded hops largely as an internal medicine.1
LINUM
The ripe seeds of Linum usitatissimum, Linné (Nat. Ord. Linaceae). Levant and southern Europe; cultivated. Common Names: Flaxseed, Linseed. Principal Constituents.Mucilage, a fixed, viscid oil (Oleum Lini), proteids (25 per cent), and a minute trace of amygdalin. Preparations.1. Oleum Lini, Linseed Oil, (Oil of Flaxseed, Raw Lipseed Oil). A yellowish oil of a bland taste and peculiar odor, gradually thickening and darkening in the air and acquiring a strong taste and odor. Dose, 1/2 to 1 fluidounce. Raw (not boiled) oil only should be used. 2. Farina Lini, Linseed Meal, (Flaxseed Meal). For poultices. Action and Therapy.External. Flaxseed and its oil are emollient. A flaxseed poultice (Cataplasma Lini) applied early upon inflamed and painful surfaces will relieve pain, cause relaxation, and sometimes resolution. If applied after pus begins to form it will hasten suppuration. Deepseated inflammation can often be aborted by the judicious use of a flaxseed poultice. The danger of favoring sepsis when used upon open or abraded tissues should be borne in mind. Equal parts of linseed oil and lime water form Carron Oil, the best primary dressing for burns and scalds. Linseed meal added to the wash water will assist in removing the odor of iodoform from the hands. Internal. An infusion of the seeds (1/2 ounce to Boiling Water, 16 fluidounces) is an excellent demulcent forming a pleasant mucilaginous drink for inflamed or irritated membranes. It is especially useful in gastro-intestinal and renal inflammations, and as a lenitive after acute poisoning by irritants. The addition of licorice root or lemon juice and sugar makes of the foregoing an agreeable linctus for irritative coughs and acutely inflamed bronchial mucous membranes. Linseed oil is a good laxative and is sometimes used as an enema to remove ascarides. Hemorrhoids have been cured by the laxative influence of linseed oil given in daily repeated doses of 1 to 2 ounces. Linseed oil may be given freely in poisoning by alkalies, when other bland oils are not at hand.1
The ripe seeds of Linum usitatissimum, Linné (Nat. Ord. Linaceae). Levant and southern Europe; cultivated. Common Names: Flaxseed, Linseed. Principal Constituents.Mucilage, a fixed, viscid oil (Oleum Lini), proteids (25 per cent), and a minute trace of amygdalin. Preparations.1. Oleum Lini, Linseed Oil, (Oil of Flaxseed, Raw Lipseed Oil). A yellowish oil of a bland taste and peculiar odor, gradually thickening and darkening in the air and acquiring a strong taste and odor. Dose, 1/2 to 1 fluidounce. Raw (not boiled) oil only should be used. 2. Farina Lini, Linseed Meal, (Flaxseed Meal). For poultices. Action and Therapy.External. Flaxseed and its oil are emollient. A flaxseed poultice (Cataplasma Lini) applied early upon inflamed and painful surfaces will relieve pain, cause relaxation, and sometimes resolution. If applied after pus begins to form it will hasten suppuration. Deepseated inflammation can often be aborted by the judicious use of a flaxseed poultice. The danger of favoring sepsis when used upon open or abraded tissues should be borne in mind. Equal parts of linseed oil and lime water form Carron Oil, the best primary dressing for burns and scalds. Linseed meal added to the wash water will assist in removing the odor of iodoform from the hands. Internal. An infusion of the seeds (1/2 ounce to Boiling Water, 16 fluidounces) is an excellent demulcent forming a pleasant mucilaginous drink for inflamed or irritated membranes. It is especially useful in gastro-intestinal and renal inflammations, and as a lenitive after acute poisoning by irritants. The addition of licorice root or lemon juice and sugar makes of the foregoing an agreeable linctus for irritative coughs and acutely inflamed bronchial mucous membranes. Linseed oil is a good laxative and is sometimes used as an enema to remove ascarides. Hemorrhoids have been cured by the laxative influence of linseed oil given in daily repeated doses of 1 to 2 ounces. Linseed oil may be given freely in poisoning by alkalies, when other bland oils are not at hand.1
LUPULINUM
Lupulin. The glandular powder separated from the strobiles of Humulus Lupulus, Linné (Nat. Ord. Cannabaceae), the common Hop. (See Humulus.) Description.Brownish-yellow (becoming yellowish-brown), resinous granules, having the aromatic odor and bitter taste of hops. It is readily inflammable, and deteriorates upon long keeping. Dose, 5 to 20 grains in capsule or pill. Preparation.Specific Medicine Lupulin. Dose, 5 to 30 drops. Specific Indications.Nervousness, irritability, disposition to brood over trouble, delirium, insomnia, cerebral hyperemia; genital and mental irritability associated with spermatorrhea; fermentative dyspepsia, with acid eructations. Action and Therapy.Lupulin is administered in disorders for which infusion and tincture of hops were formerly given. It is a remedy for nervousness, to allay irritation and to produce sleep. It gives a sense of mental tranquillity which makes it a valuable agent in nervous unrest due to nocturnal seminal emissions, and relieves irritation of the genital tract when associated with the latter. It relieves irritation of the bladder, with frequent urination, and is quite efficient in chordee. When delirium tremens is accompanied by cerebral hyperemia it is of considerable service. Insomnia due to nervous debility or to worry, or headache associated with active cerebral circulation, is benefited by lupulin; while for painful conditions it may be employed when they depend upon nervous debility. For the latter reason it has been given with success in dysmenorrhea, and other painful conditions of the uterus and in after-pains. Lupulin checks fermentative changes in the stomach, thus proving useful in yeasty indigestion with acid eructations and dilation of the stomach, and in the headache due to such gastric disturbance.1
Lupulin. The glandular powder separated from the strobiles of Humulus Lupulus, Linné (Nat. Ord. Cannabaceae), the common Hop. (See Humulus.) Description.Brownish-yellow (becoming yellowish-brown), resinous granules, having the aromatic odor and bitter taste of hops. It is readily inflammable, and deteriorates upon long keeping. Dose, 5 to 20 grains in capsule or pill. Preparation.Specific Medicine Lupulin. Dose, 5 to 30 drops. Specific Indications.Nervousness, irritability, disposition to brood over trouble, delirium, insomnia, cerebral hyperemia; genital and mental irritability associated with spermatorrhea; fermentative dyspepsia, with acid eructations. Action and Therapy.Lupulin is administered in disorders for which infusion and tincture of hops were formerly given. It is a remedy for nervousness, to allay irritation and to produce sleep. It gives a sense of mental tranquillity which makes it a valuable agent in nervous unrest due to nocturnal seminal emissions, and relieves irritation of the genital tract when associated with the latter. It relieves irritation of the bladder, with frequent urination, and is quite efficient in chordee. When delirium tremens is accompanied by cerebral hyperemia it is of considerable service. Insomnia due to nervous debility or to worry, or headache associated with active cerebral circulation, is benefited by lupulin; while for painful conditions it may be employed when they depend upon nervous debility. For the latter reason it has been given with success in dysmenorrhea, and other painful conditions of the uterus and in after-pains. Lupulin checks fermentative changes in the stomach, thus proving useful in yeasty indigestion with acid eructations and dilation of the stomach, and in the headache due to such gastric disturbance.1
PETROSELINUM
The dried, ripe fruit and root of Petroselinum sativum, Hoffman (Nat. Ord. Umbelliferae). Native of Europe; cultivated in all moderate climes. Common Names: (1) Parsley Fruit, Parsley Seed; (2) Parsley Root. Principal Constituents.(Root.) An essential oil containing Apiol; (Fruit) Fatty oil (22 per cent), volatile oil (oil of parsley) containing apiol and laevo-pinene. Preparation.Decoctum Petroselini, Decoction of Parsley. Dose, 1 to 4 fluidounces. Action and Therapy.Decoction of parsley root is an active diuretic, as is also the oil (three or four drops). Both relieve urinary irritation, and have been extensively employed to relieve dropsical effusions when the kidneys are in a condition to respond, especially when the edema follows scarlet fever. Apiol is an active emmenagogue. When of good quality, doses of seven to fifteen grains are capable of producing effects similar to those of coffeecerebral excitement with feeling of vigor and composure, and warmth in the stomach. Large doses (thirty to sixty grains) occasion intoxication, giddiness, flashes of light, ringing in ears, and headache similar to that resulting from cinchona. It is used almost entirely for the treatment of amenorrhea, due to ovarian inactivity. It should be administered in doses of seven to ten grains, three times a day for a week or so previous to the expected time of menstruation, and given oftener when the menses appear. It relieves pain by increasing the flow when menstruation is scanty. Owing to the uncertain quality of apiol preparations they frequently fail to produce any emmenagogue effects. A liquid apiol (Oleoresina Petroselini) is to be preferred, given in doses of eight to twelve minims.1
The dried, ripe fruit and root of Petroselinum sativum, Hoffman (Nat. Ord. Umbelliferae). Native of Europe; cultivated in all moderate climes. Common Names: (1) Parsley Fruit, Parsley Seed; (2) Parsley Root. Principal Constituents.(Root.) An essential oil containing Apiol; (Fruit) Fatty oil (22 per cent), volatile oil (oil of parsley) containing apiol and laevo-pinene. Preparation.Decoctum Petroselini, Decoction of Parsley. Dose, 1 to 4 fluidounces. Action and Therapy.Decoction of parsley root is an active diuretic, as is also the oil (three or four drops). Both relieve urinary irritation, and have been extensively employed to relieve dropsical effusions when the kidneys are in a condition to respond, especially when the edema follows scarlet fever. Apiol is an active emmenagogue. When of good quality, doses of seven to fifteen grains are capable of producing effects similar to those of coffeecerebral excitement with feeling of vigor and composure, and warmth in the stomach. Large doses (thirty to sixty grains) occasion intoxication, giddiness, flashes of light, ringing in ears, and headache similar to that resulting from cinchona. It is used almost entirely for the treatment of amenorrhea, due to ovarian inactivity. It should be administered in doses of seven to ten grains, three times a day for a week or so previous to the expected time of menstruation, and given oftener when the menses appear. It relieves pain by increasing the flow when menstruation is scanty. Owing to the uncertain quality of apiol preparations they frequently fail to produce any emmenagogue effects. A liquid apiol (Oleoresina Petroselini) is to be preferred, given in doses of eight to twelve minims.1
VANILLAVANIL
The fruit of Vanilla planifolia, Andrews (Nat. Ord. Orchidaceae). A native Mexican vine, grown in many tropical countries, but on a commercial scale in Guadaloupe. Dose, 1 to 10 grains. Common Name: Vanilla. Principal Constituents.The fragrance of vanilla is due to vanillin (C8H8O3) and to the presence of a small quantity of balsam. Preparation.Tinctura Vanilla, Tincture of Vanilla. Dose, 1 to 10 drops. DerivativeVanillinum, Vanillin, is methylprotocatechuic aldehyde, occurring naturally in vanilla beans, or may be produced synthetically from several orthodihydroxy-benzene derivatives. It forms fine white or very pale yellowish, needle crystals having the characteristic taste and odor of vanilla; soluble in water and freely in alcohol, glycerin, ether and chloroform. It forms the whitish frost observed on vanilla. Dose, 1/4 to 1 grain. Action and Therapy.Vanilla is an aromatic stimulant, but is seldom used as a medicine. It is said to promote wakefulness, increase muscular energy, and to powerfully stimulate the sexual appetite. It is used chiefly as a flavoring agent for medicinal syrups and tinctures, confections, and pastry.1
The fruit of Vanilla planifolia, Andrews (Nat. Ord. Orchidaceae). A native Mexican vine, grown in many tropical countries, but on a commercial scale in Guadaloupe. Dose, 1 to 10 grains. Common Name: Vanilla. Principal Constituents.The fragrance of vanilla is due to vanillin (C8H8O3) and to the presence of a small quantity of balsam. Preparation.Tinctura Vanilla, Tincture of Vanilla. Dose, 1 to 10 drops. DerivativeVanillinum, Vanillin, is methylprotocatechuic aldehyde, occurring naturally in vanilla beans, or may be produced synthetically from several orthodihydroxy-benzene derivatives. It forms fine white or very pale yellowish, needle crystals having the characteristic taste and odor of vanilla; soluble in water and freely in alcohol, glycerin, ether and chloroform. It forms the whitish frost observed on vanilla. Dose, 1/4 to 1 grain. Action and Therapy.Vanilla is an aromatic stimulant, but is seldom used as a medicine. It is said to promote wakefulness, increase muscular energy, and to powerfully stimulate the sexual appetite. It is used chiefly as a flavoring agent for medicinal syrups and tinctures, confections, and pastry.1
References
1) Felter, Harvey Wickes, 1922, The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Cincinnati, Ohio.