Hydrastis,—Golden Seal.

[Golden seal (Hydrastis) is endangered. Don't use it unless you know it's cultivated, not wildcrafted. --Henriette]

Hydrastis is the root of Hydrastis Canadensis (nat. ord. Ranunculaceae ), and contains three alkaloids,—Hydrastine, Berberine and Xanthopuccine, with Tannic and Gallic Acids, etc.

Preparations.

Extractum Hydrastis Fluidum, ♏︎v-ʒss. Tinctura Hydrastis, ʒss-ij.

Physiological Action.—Hydrastis is an astringent bitter, promotes appetite and digestion, increases the secretions of the gastro-intestinal tract, and the flow of bile. Long used, it deranges digestion and causes constipation. It is an antiperiodic, and a protoplasmic poison, arresting the movements of the white blood corpuscles.

Therapeutics. Hydrastis is chiefly used as a stomachic tonic, an anti-periodic, a mild astringent, and an antiseptic. In—

Catarrh,—of the stomach, duodenum, gall ducts, intestine, bladder, uterus, vagina; in gonorrhoea, gleet and chronic nasal catarrh, it is an excellent remedy, both locally and internally.

Syphilitic Affections, of the mouth, throat and nares,—the fluid extr. locally

Ulcers and Sores, of unhealthy character,—locally applied.

Stomatitis, both mercurial and aphthous,—the fluid extract locally.

Constipation,—when due to deficient intestinal secretion.

Rectal Fissure and Hemorrhage,—the fluid extract locally.

Intermittents,—here Hydrastine stands next after Quinine.

Malarial Poisoning,—the fluid extract with Iron preparations.

A Compend of Materia Medica, Therapeutics, and Prescription Writing, 1902, by Sam'l O. L. Potter, M.D., M.R.C.P.L.