Aspidium. Aspidium felix-mas.

Synonym—Male Fern.

CONSTITUENTS—

Felicic, felixolic, felosmylic, tomaspidic and pteritannic acids, volatile oil, wax, chlorophyll, gallic acid, albumen, pectin, starch, gum, sugar, salts.

PREPARATIONS—

Oleoresina Aspidii, Oleoresin of Aspidium. Dose, from six to eight grains.

Therapy—A most active gastro-intestinal irritant, it is given to remove tapeworm, The oleoresin is given in doses of half a dram in capsules. One-half to one dram of the fluid extract may be given, or half an ounce of the leaves are steeped in half a pint of water and this is taken before breakfast. Oils should not be given after this agent, as they facilitate the absorption of its toxic principle which exercises a profound influence upon the nervous system. Saline laxatives or vegetable laxatives may be administered. The usual preparation of the patient is essential and it is necessary to follow the removal of the worm with mild tonics and restoratives. Unlike those often used, this agent does not produce unpleasant results, being in every way a safe remedy if taken in proper doses.

It does not impair the appetite or reduce the strength.

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.