Sapium. Sapium salicifolium.

Synonym—Yerba de la flecha.

PART EMPLOYED—The root, bark and leaves.

LOCALITY—Mexico, New Mexico and Arizona.

PREPARATIONS—

Powdered Root. Dose, from one-half to one grain.

Fluid Extract. Dose, from one to five minims.

Infusion. Two ounces of the root to one pint of water. Dose, from twenty to thirty minims.

Physiological Action—In large doses it is poisonous, produces dysentery, vertigo and death from prostration and nervous exhaustion.

Sapium Salicifolium is an energetic cathartic and diuretic, produces copious liquid discharges without griping. In minute doses at intervals of four hours it stimulates the torpid liver up to its normal action, also increases the flow of urine and exerts a direct influence on the kidneys and urinary passages.

Therapy—In bilious colic caused by presence of calculous matter, sapium salicifolium combined with mono-bromated camphor promptly dislodges the gravel, calms the nervous system and quiets the distressed stomach.

The principal advantage the drug has over other cathartics and diuretics is its superior efficacy, its pleasing taste, besides its antilithic properties; the agent is not widely known. The small and pleasant dose and kindly action will give it a place as an efficient cathartic, if the above statements are confirmed.

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.