Penthorum. Penthorum sedoides.

Synonym—Virginia Stonecrop.

PREPARATIONS—

Specific Medicine Penthorum. Dose, from one to twenty minims.

Specific Symptomatology—It is suggested in cases of chronic disease of the fauces, larynx, or pharynx, where the mucous membranes are relaxed and of purple color, irritable, sore and dry. This condition sometimes, resists all ordinary throat remedies. Five drops of specific penthorum every two hours with a gargle of capsicum, quite strong, used three times daily, will quickly relieve the troublesome condition. The gargle alone is of benefit.

Therapy—It influences the functional activity of the stomach through the direct action on the glandular structure of the mucous membranes. It will impart tone to the stomach and increase the appetite and power of the digestion. It regulates the function also of the entire intestinal tract in a mild, but sometimes very desirable manner.

The remedy has been employed in the treatment of cholera infantum, where a mild tonic astringent was needed, and in many forms of diarrhea. In piles it may be given in conjunction with collinsonia or hamamelis. It has been lauded in the treatment of intestinal dyspepsia, and other forms of atonic indigestion, especially where nervous exhaustion is present. Scudder remarked that mucous membranes in any locality, which had suffered from acute inflammation, were markedly susceptible to the action of this remedy in its direct restorative influence. It will remove irritation, restore the functional activities of the glands, and conduce to the return of the normal condition. He gave it also for chronic catarrh, pharyngitis, bronchitis, vaginitis and other catarrhal disorders. The fluid extract of penthorum may be given in doses of from one-fourth to one dram, every three hours.

Additional specific symptoms, are catarrhal inflammation, with profuse secretion, catarrhal gastritis, colitis, or iliocolitis, with mucous discharges and a spongy condition of the gums.

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.