Leptandra. Leptandra virginica.

Synonyms—Veronicastrum Virginicum, Linné; Culver's Root.

CONSTITUENTS—

Leptandrin, resin, saponin, tannin, mannite, gum, citric acid, volatile oil.

PREPARATIONS—

Resin of Leptandra, Leptandrin. Dose, from one-fourth to one grain.

Extractum Leptandrae Fluidum, Fluid Extract of Leptandra. Dose, from twenty to sixty minims.

Specific Medicine Leptandra. Dose, from one to twenty minims.

Specific Symptomatology—Malaise from malarial influence, soreness on pressure in the right hypochondrium, with wide dullness on percussion, constipation, full abdominal tissues with inactive intestinal glands, torpor of the liver, anorexia, dull headache. Also in cases in which there are marked vertigo, cold extremities and cool skin, dull pain in the bowels, gloominess or mental despondency and depression, disinclination to work or even move, great lassitude.

Therapy—In malarial conditions no cathartic is more efficient than leptandra. It may be given in full doses, and there is no irritation from its action. It certainly increases the discharge of bile and stimulates and greatly improves the function of the liver.

In ague when quinine is given as an antiperiodic, if from one-fourth to one grain of leptandra be given with each dose in the intermission, the effects are much more marked and the influence is more permanent. It is demanded in malarial fevers of all kinds, and especially in remittent fever. It is given alone at the onset of the attack as a laxative and in the remission, in small doses in conjunction with the antiperiodic, proving a most valuable auxiliary to the treatment. As an addition to vegetable tonics when malarial conditions prevail, it improves the tone of the entire gastro-intestinal canal and increases the functional activity of the glandular organs. In some cases small doses in wine will produce excellent results.

In the treatment of jaundice it is a valuable auxiliary, and combined with the tonics here indicated its influence is most desirable. It clears the skin, produces black alvine evacuation, and assists in overcoming the entire train of symptoms.

Leptandra has no superior in a case of this character and must be used freely to be appreciated. It is certainly under-estimated.

The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, 1919, was written by Finley Ellingwood, M.D.
It was scanned by Michael Moore for the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine.