Scutellaria. Scutellaria lateriflora.

Synonyms—Scullcap, madweed, hoodwort.

CONSTITUENTS—

A bitter principle (crystalline glucoside), volatile oil, fat, tannin, sugar.

PREPARATIONS—

Extractum Scutellariae Fluidum, Fluid Extract of Scutellaria. Dose, from five to thirty minims.

Infusum Scutellariae, Infusion of Scutellaria.

Specific Scutellaria. Dose, from one to ten minims.

The remedy is usually prescribed in the form of the specific medicine. The normal tincture is very satisfactory, and in some cases scutellerin is the best form of the remedy to give. The glucoside in granules, which contain one-twelfth of a grain, will produce good results.

Specific Symptomatology—French advises this remedy for two distinct lines of specific phenomena. The first is where there is irritability of the nervous system, with restlessness and nervous excitability; inability to sleep without pain; general irritability with insomnia from local physical causes. The second is where there is nervous disorder, characterized by irregular muscular action, twitching, tremors and restlessness, with or without incoordination. These symptoms are found in chorea, paralysis agitans, epilepsy and delirium tremens. Its soothing influence continues for a protracted period, after the agent is discontinued. It is not a remedy of great power, but when indicated is of much service.

Its specific nerve sedative properties were those observed by the older writers who obtained this influence from a strong infusion which without doubt will yield results not obtained from small doses of the finer pharmaceutical preparations.

Therapy—Its soothing influence upon the nervous system conduces to quiet and restful sleep. In large doses in delirium tremens, it is a sufficient remedy. Its influence will be enhanced by combining, it with capsicum, the tincture of red cinchona, or some other non-alcoholic stimulant. Combined with cimicifuga, the value of both these agents is increased in their adaptability to chorea.

In restlessness, or in nervous excitability producing insomnia, and in prolonged fevers, it promotes sleep and at the same time stimulates the skin and kidneys to increased activity. Its soothing influence is retained after the agent is discontinued. The agent was at one time supposed to exercise an influence over the spasms of hydrophobia, but it is doubtless too feeble for such a purpose.

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.