WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only.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 Quassia
AURANTII DULCIS CORTEX
The outer rind of the ripe, fresh fruit of Citrus Aurantium. sinensis, Gallesio (Nat. Ord. Rutaceae) Common Names: Sweet Orange Peel (of Sweet Orange, Portugal Orange, China Orange). Principal Constituents.Oil of orange (Oleum Aurantii); other constituents same as in Bitter Orange Peel. (Orange Juice [from the pulp of the fruit] contains citric acid, sugar and mucilage.) Preparation. Tinctura Aurantii Dulcis, Tincture of Sweet Orange Peel. Dose, 1 fluidrachm. This agent is used in the preparation of Syrupus Aurantii or Syrup of Orangea syrup containing also Citric Acid. Specific Indications.-(For Orange juice). Deep red tongue, with brown to black coating; scurvy. Therapy.Sweet Orange Peel. Slightly stimulant, carminative, and tonic. Used almost wholly as a flavoring agent. It makes an elegant addition to acid solution of iron dispensed in syrup. It is also an agreeable addition to the bitter infusions, as of quassia or Peruvian bark. Sweet Orange Juice. The juice of the orange is a light refrigerant article of diet, and is especially useful where the bowels are sluggish in action, and during convalescence from illness, as well as to be given during fevers and the exanthemata where acids are craved. It is par excellence the remedial agent in scurvy of infants, as well as adults, and if given early will abort this unpleasant disorder. Like all acids, orange juice is best indicated when the patient's tongue is deep-red or coated brown, black, or any intermediate color. 1
The outer rind of the ripe, fresh fruit of Citrus Aurantium. sinensis, Gallesio (Nat. Ord. Rutaceae) Common Names: Sweet Orange Peel (of Sweet Orange, Portugal Orange, China Orange). Principal Constituents.Oil of orange (Oleum Aurantii); other constituents same as in Bitter Orange Peel. (Orange Juice [from the pulp of the fruit] contains citric acid, sugar and mucilage.) Preparation. Tinctura Aurantii Dulcis, Tincture of Sweet Orange Peel. Dose, 1 fluidrachm. This agent is used in the preparation of Syrupus Aurantii or Syrup of Orangea syrup containing also Citric Acid. Specific Indications.-(For Orange juice). Deep red tongue, with brown to black coating; scurvy. Therapy.Sweet Orange Peel. Slightly stimulant, carminative, and tonic. Used almost wholly as a flavoring agent. It makes an elegant addition to acid solution of iron dispensed in syrup. It is also an agreeable addition to the bitter infusions, as of quassia or Peruvian bark. Sweet Orange Juice. The juice of the orange is a light refrigerant article of diet, and is especially useful where the bowels are sluggish in action, and during convalescence from illness, as well as to be given during fevers and the exanthemata where acids are craved. It is par excellence the remedial agent in scurvy of infants, as well as adults, and if given early will abort this unpleasant disorder. Like all acids, orange juice is best indicated when the patient's tongue is deep-red or coated brown, black, or any intermediate color. 1
COPTIS
The rhizome and rootlets of Coptis trifolia, Salisbury. (Nat. Ord. Berberidaceae.) A plant of dark, cold swamps and sphagnous woods, found in Siberia, Greenland, and Iceland, and in the United States, following the Appalachians as far south as Alabama. Common Names: Gold Thread, Mouth Root, Canker Root. Principal Constituents.-Two alkaloids: berberine (yellow) and coptine (white). It is devoid of starch, tannin or resin. Preparations1. Decoctum Coptis, Decoction of Coptis. (Coptis, 2 drachms, to Water, 16 ounces.) Dose, 2 to 6 fluidrachms. Used freely as a local wash. 2. Tinctura Coptis, Tincture of Coptis. (Coptis, 1 ounce; Diluted Alcohol, 16 ounces) Dose, 30 to 60 drops. Specific Indications.Aphthous ulceration; atonic dyspepsia; thrush. Action and Therapy.External. The most effective application for thrush in infants. The decoction should be freely applied and at the same time given internally. The infusion or the tincture may be used, with or without hydrastis, in aphthous ulcers of the mouth. Internal. Coptis is a pure bitter and one that ought to be more generally used. It ranks with quassia, calumba, gentian, and similar agents in efficiency and may be used for many of the purposes for which hydrastis is employed. Its use in the stomachic disorders associated with, preceding or following thrush is the most certain in therapy, and its internal employment hastens the local cure, which it quickly accomplishes. Coptis is a good stimulant for atonic indigestion and dyspepsia, with deficiency in the normal flow of the peptic juices.1
The rhizome and rootlets of Coptis trifolia, Salisbury. (Nat. Ord. Berberidaceae.) A plant of dark, cold swamps and sphagnous woods, found in Siberia, Greenland, and Iceland, and in the United States, following the Appalachians as far south as Alabama. Common Names: Gold Thread, Mouth Root, Canker Root. Principal Constituents.-Two alkaloids: berberine (yellow) and coptine (white). It is devoid of starch, tannin or resin. Preparations1. Decoctum Coptis, Decoction of Coptis. (Coptis, 2 drachms, to Water, 16 ounces.) Dose, 2 to 6 fluidrachms. Used freely as a local wash. 2. Tinctura Coptis, Tincture of Coptis. (Coptis, 1 ounce; Diluted Alcohol, 16 ounces) Dose, 30 to 60 drops. Specific Indications.Aphthous ulceration; atonic dyspepsia; thrush. Action and Therapy.External. The most effective application for thrush in infants. The decoction should be freely applied and at the same time given internally. The infusion or the tincture may be used, with or without hydrastis, in aphthous ulcers of the mouth. Internal. Coptis is a pure bitter and one that ought to be more generally used. It ranks with quassia, calumba, gentian, and similar agents in efficiency and may be used for many of the purposes for which hydrastis is employed. Its use in the stomachic disorders associated with, preceding or following thrush is the most certain in therapy, and its internal employment hastens the local cure, which it quickly accomplishes. Coptis is a good stimulant for atonic indigestion and dyspepsia, with deficiency in the normal flow of the peptic juices.1
GLYCYRRHIZA
The dried rhizome and roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra typica, Regel et Herder (Spanish Licorice), or of Glycyrrhiza glabra glandulifera, Regel et Herder (Russian Licorice), (Nat. Ord. Leguminosae). Southern Europe and western Asia; cultivated. Dose, 5 to 60 grains. Common Names: Licorice, Licorice Root, (1) Spanish Licorice Root, (2) Russian Licorice Root. Principal Constituents.The sweet glucoside glycyrrhizin (C24H36O9), asparagin, glycyramarin and an acid resin. Preparations.1. Specific Medicine Glycyrrhiza. Dose, 5 to 60 drops. 2. Fluidextractum Glycyrrhizae, Fluidextract of Glycyrrhiza. Dose, 30 drops. Derivative: Glycyrrhizinum Ammoniatum, Ammoniated Glycyrrhizin. Very sweet, odorless, dark-brown or red-brown scales; soluble in alcohol or water. It is derived from glycyrrhiza and combined with ammonia. Dose, 1 to 8 grains. Action and Therapy.Glycyrrhiza root is demulcent, laxative, and expectorant. It acts upon mucous surfaces, lessening irritation and relieving coughs, catarrhs, and irritation of the urinary tract. The powdered extract is sometimes used to give solidity to pills, and the powdered root as a dusting powder for the same. The fluidextract is an agreeable flavoring agent for other medicines and soothing to irritated bronchial surfaces. The bitterness of cascara, quinine, aloes, quassia, the acridity of senega, guaiac, and the taste of ammonium chloride and sodium salicylate are more or less masked by the fluidextract. Licorice root is an ingredient of Compound Licorice Powder. (See Senna).1
The dried rhizome and roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra typica, Regel et Herder (Spanish Licorice), or of Glycyrrhiza glabra glandulifera, Regel et Herder (Russian Licorice), (Nat. Ord. Leguminosae). Southern Europe and western Asia; cultivated. Dose, 5 to 60 grains. Common Names: Licorice, Licorice Root, (1) Spanish Licorice Root, (2) Russian Licorice Root. Principal Constituents.The sweet glucoside glycyrrhizin (C24H36O9), asparagin, glycyramarin and an acid resin. Preparations.1. Specific Medicine Glycyrrhiza. Dose, 5 to 60 drops. 2. Fluidextractum Glycyrrhizae, Fluidextract of Glycyrrhiza. Dose, 30 drops. Derivative: Glycyrrhizinum Ammoniatum, Ammoniated Glycyrrhizin. Very sweet, odorless, dark-brown or red-brown scales; soluble in alcohol or water. It is derived from glycyrrhiza and combined with ammonia. Dose, 1 to 8 grains. Action and Therapy.Glycyrrhiza root is demulcent, laxative, and expectorant. It acts upon mucous surfaces, lessening irritation and relieving coughs, catarrhs, and irritation of the urinary tract. The powdered extract is sometimes used to give solidity to pills, and the powdered root as a dusting powder for the same. The fluidextract is an agreeable flavoring agent for other medicines and soothing to irritated bronchial surfaces. The bitterness of cascara, quinine, aloes, quassia, the acridity of senega, guaiac, and the taste of ammonium chloride and sodium salicylate are more or less masked by the fluidextract. Licorice root is an ingredient of Compound Licorice Powder. (See Senna).1
QUASSIAQUASS
The wood of Picrasma excelsa (Swartz), Planchon (Nat. Ord. Simarubaceae). A tall tree of Jamaica and neighboring islands. Dose, 10 to 30 grains. Common Names: Quassia, Quassia Wood, Bitter Wood. Principal Constituent.The bitter substance quassiin (quassin). Preparations.1. Infusum Quassiae, Infusion of Quassia (1 drachm to 7 ounces of cold water). Dose, 1/2 to 2 fluidounces. 2. Specific Medicine Quassia. Dose, 1 to 30 drops. Action and Therapy.Quassia is a bitter stomachic and tonic. A cold infusion (1 to 100 of cold water) used as an injection is one of the most useful agents to remove ascarides. An acidulated infusion may be employed to lessen the craving for alcoholics. For this purpose the wood may be extracted with vinegar and administered in drachm doses in a glass of water. Specific medicine quassia may be given in doses of one to thirty drops, in water, for impairment of the appetite in feeble and emaciated persons. Cold infusions of the chips are to be preferred to hot, as less extractive matter is drawn out. Quassia is not without danger, and established doses must not be exceeded. Even rectal injections of it have caused collapse in a child. Having no tannin, quassia may be given with iron, if desired.1
The wood of Picrasma excelsa (Swartz), Planchon (Nat. Ord. Simarubaceae). A tall tree of Jamaica and neighboring islands. Dose, 10 to 30 grains. Common Names: Quassia, Quassia Wood, Bitter Wood. Principal Constituent.The bitter substance quassiin (quassin). Preparations.1. Infusum Quassiae, Infusion of Quassia (1 drachm to 7 ounces of cold water). Dose, 1/2 to 2 fluidounces. 2. Specific Medicine Quassia. Dose, 1 to 30 drops. Action and Therapy.Quassia is a bitter stomachic and tonic. A cold infusion (1 to 100 of cold water) used as an injection is one of the most useful agents to remove ascarides. An acidulated infusion may be employed to lessen the craving for alcoholics. For this purpose the wood may be extracted with vinegar and administered in drachm doses in a glass of water. Specific medicine quassia may be given in doses of one to thirty drops, in water, for impairment of the appetite in feeble and emaciated persons. Cold infusions of the chips are to be preferred to hot, as less extractive matter is drawn out. Quassia is not without danger, and established doses must not be exceeded. Even rectal injections of it have caused collapse in a child. Having no tannin, quassia may be given with iron, if desired.1
References
1) Felter, Harvey Wickes, 1922, The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Cincinnati, Ohio.