Epilobium. Epilobium angustifolium.
Synonyms—Wickup, Willow herb.
PREPARATIONS—
- Extractum Epilobii Fluidum. Fluid Extract of Epilobium Dose, from five to sixty minims
- Specific Medicine Epilobium. Dose, from ten to sixty minims.
Physiological Action—The several species of epilobium are astringent, tonic, emollient, and demulcent, and have a specific influence on the intestinal mucous membrane. The epilobium palustre has a well established reputation as a remedy in intractable cases of camp dysentery and diarrhea, cases having been cured by it when other means had failed.
Specific Symptomatology—Chronic diarrhoea with general emaciation, and a persistent enfeebled condition with dry, dingy, rough, harsh skin. If no great structural change, and no tubercular or cancerous conditions are present, this agent is the most satisfactory remedy we have. It is suggested where the abdomen is contracted, and where the diarrhea is feculent in character with sharp colicky pains.
Therapy—It will be curative also in general relaxed, subacute or acute cases of diarrhea, after the stage of inflammation has passed, but is not as reliable a remedy at that time as geranium.
In muco-enteritis it is of some service in conjunction with the indicated remedies. It is very useful in the diarrhea of typhoid fever; it acts kindly and surely. The author seldom uses any other astringent when these conditions are present. It exercises an apparent tonic influence upon the mucous and glandular structures of the entire intestinal canal, overcoming ulceration, and being of material benefit in the more speedy restoration of normal function.
In the treatment of chronic eczema, epilobium was strongly advocated by one of our best physicians. He often gave it in conjunction with juglans. In that class of inveterate cases that was at first papular and finally squamous, he got excellent results. Dr. Goss had great faith in epilobium as a skin remedy. He gave it in doses from fifteen to twenty minims, and in persistent cases he would make all infusion of the herb, having the patient drink it freely.
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.
