Ceanothus Americanus.
Syn.—Ceanothus; Red Root; New Jersey Tea.
P. E.—Root.
N. O.—Rhamnaceae.
N. H.—States.
Properties: Astringent, expectorant; stimulating to mucous surfaces.
Physiological action: Taken in large and continued doses in healthy state it will produce sticking pain in the spleen, increased by motion., inability to lie on left side, enlargement of the spleen, then these same symptoms in the liver with enlargement and congestive pain worse on touch; pain in umbilical region; pain and soreness on the exterior part of thigh; loss of appetite; tongue coated with dirty white coating, emaciation and general weakness. Urine may be colored green with bile, stool clay colored. In fact under the physiological doses long continued all the symptoms of chronic malaria will develop.
Indications: Doughy, sallow skin, expressionless face, pain in the region of the liver or spleen.
Use: An alterative which has a powerful influence over the portal circulation, indicated where there is sluggish circulation and inactivity of the liver, especially if these conditions are the result of malaria. In enlargement of either spleen or liver, it is a valuable remedy and if combined with polymnia uvedalia is even more effective. Its use is confined to chronic conditions as above. Its astringency renders it of value in catarrhal conditions of the mucous surface with hyper secretion and without inflammation. In splenic pains, chilliness with splenic pains and leucorrhea, it has proved to be of value.
The Materia Medica and Clinical Therapeutics, 1905, was written by Fred J. Petersen, M.D.
