558. LAPPA, N.F.— LAPPA BURDOCK ROOT

558. LAPPA, N.F.— LAPPA BURDOCK ROOT

The dried root of Arc'tium lappa Linné, and possibly of other species of Arctium, collected from plants of the first year's growth.

BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS. —Root biennial, fusiform; stem 1 to 3 feet high. Leaves strong-smelling, ovate, with cordate and crenate base, or lanceolate, with cuneate base. Involucre composed of imbricated coriaceous scales, the stiff, needle-like points of which are hooked. Heads solitary or clustered; flowers white or light purple, all tubular. Akenes oblong, flattened.

DESCRIPTION OF DRUG.—A fusiform, fleshy root several inches in length and about 25 mm. (1 in.) thick, sometimes sliced longitudinally; grayish-brown, longitudinally wrinkled from drying, and

having withered scales near the top; internally lighter colored, spongy, a cross- section showing a thick bark (in young roots, thin in old), the inner layer of which, and the meditullium, is traversed by broad medullary rays. Fracture horny. It has a slight unpleasant odor, and a sweetish, somewhat bitter taste.

Powder .—Brownish-gray. Characteristic elements: Parenchyma of cortex, thin- walled, elongated with glassy masses and sphæro-crystals of inulin; ducts large and small, with reticulate, simple pores; wood fibers and resin ducts, few.

CONSTITUENTS.—Mucilage, sugar, fat, a little tannin, a bitter glucoside, and inulin.

ACTION AND USES.—Diuretic, diaphoretic, and alterative. Dose: 1 / 2 to 2 dr. (2 to 8

Gm.). Fluidextractum Lappæ, Dose: 1 / 2 to 2 fl. dr. (2 to 8 mils).

559. LAPPÆ FRUCTUS.—BURDOCK FRUIT. A somewhat angular fruit, about 6 mm. ( 1 / 4 in.) long, rough and wrinkled, and covered with short, stiff hairs, which are easily rubbed off. Very bitter. A tincture is used in psoriasis and other skin diseases.

560. POLYMNIA UVEDALIA Linné.—BEARSFOOT. An indigenous plant, the root of which, in ointment form, has had virtues ascribed to it as a discutient and anodyne, particularly in the treatment of malarial splenic enlargements.

561. LACINIARIA SPICATA Willdenow.—BUTTON SNAKEROOT. Habitat: United States. (Root.) Diuretic; also used as a gargle and injection. Dose: 1 / 2 to 2 fl. dr. (2 to 8 mils).

562. HELIANTHELLA TENUIFOLIA Torrey and Gray.—The root of this plant has the properties of an aromatic expectorant and antispasmodic, used as an addition to cough mixtures.

563. ECHINACEA, N.F.—The root of Echina'cea angustifo'lia De Candolle. Habitat : Western United States. This plant has grown into considerable importance, especially among the eclectic practitioners, in the treatment of phagedenic ulcerations, boils, various forms of septicæmia, etc. The common name of the plant is “nigger-head.” The flower-head has from twelve to fifteen rays, 2 inches long, rose- colored or red, drooping; receptacle conical, with finely tipped chaff, longer than the disk-florets; disks purplish. The root has a brownish-black color, the epidermis 563. ECHINACEA, N.F.—The root of Echina'cea angustifo'lia De Candolle. Habitat : Western United States. This plant has grown into considerable importance, especially among the eclectic practitioners, in the treatment of phagedenic ulcerations, boils, various forms of septicæmia, etc. The common name of the plant is “nigger-head.” The flower-head has from twelve to fifteen rays, 2 inches long, rose- colored or red, drooping; receptacle conical, with finely tipped chaff, longer than the disk-florets; disks purplish. The root has a brownish-black color, the epidermis

In cross-section are seen wood-wedges and medullary rays, colored dark gray or blackish; fracture short and rough; taste peculiar and somewhat acrid and biting, reminding one of pyrethrum; odor heavy, mousey, accompanied by a peculiar pungency. The root contains a very small percentage of alkaloid and a crystalline principle soluble in carbon disulphide. Active principle contained, apparently, in an oleoresin which represents the medicinal properties. Allied species: Echinacea purpurea.

564. ARNICAE RADIX.—ARNICA ROOT. A horizontal, contorted rhizome about 50 to 75 mm. (2 to 3 in.) long, and 3 to 4 mm- ( 1 / 8 to 1 / 6 in.) thick; externally dark brown, rough from scars, longitudinally wrinkled, and beset with numerous thin, fragile rootlets. Fracture short, showing a rather thick bark containing a circle of resin cells near the cambium line, a circle of short, yellowish wood-bundles, and a very large, whitish pith. Odor slightly aromatic; taste pungent and bitter. Adulterated with other roots of the Compositae, also with Geum urbanum roots and Frageria vesca Off. in. U.S.P. 1890. Stimulant and tonic. Dose: 5 to 30 gr. (0.3 to 2 Gm.).