Viburnum Prunifolium. (Black Haw.)

Botanical name: 

Preparation.—Prepare a tincture from the recent bark of the root, ℥viij. to Alcohol 50° Oj. Dose from gtts. v. to gtts. xx.

It is claimed in the Southern States that the Viburnum is a specific against abortion. I have been told by several parties, that it was a common practice among planters to make their slaves drink an infusion of the Viburnum daily whilst pregnant, to prevent abortion from taking the Cottonroot. A physician from Texas assured me, that from an observation of fifteen years, he was confident that it exerted this influence, and that he had prescribed it in many cases without a failure.

If it exerts this influence upon the uterus, it will prove a valuable remedy, not only as anti-abortive, but in diseases of the reproductive organs.


Specific Medication and Specific Medicines, 1870, was written by John M. Scudder, M.D.