Stillingia,—Queen's Root.

Stillingia,—Queen's Root.

Source and Composition. It is the root of Stillingia sylvatica, an indigenous plant of the nat. ord. Euphorbiaceae; and contains a Resin and a Volatile Oil, but the active principle has not yet been isolated.

Preparations. They should be made from the fresh root as those from the dried root are almost inactive. Dose of the powdered root, gr. x-ʒj.

Extractum Stillingiae Fluidum, ♏︎x-ʒj.

*Tinctura Stillingiae, ʒss-ij.

Physiological Action. Stillingia is expectorant, diaphoretic, diuretic, purgative, cholagogue, sialogogue and alterative. Its taste is acrid and pungent. It increases the action of the heart, skin, kidneys, and bronchial mucous membrane; and the gastric, hepatic, intestinal and salivary secretions. Full doses excite epigastric pain, nausea and vomiting.

Therapeutics. It is considered valuable in—

Strumous and Syphilitic Affections,—as an alterative, with Sarsaparilla.

Ascites from hepatic changes,—in full doses it rapidly removes the fluids.

Portal Congestions of malarial origin, torpid liver, and jaundiced skin.

Constipation due to deficient intestinal secretion,—it is often very useful.

Hemorrhoids due to hepatic obstruction, or to chronic constipation.

Intermittents,—the Fluid Extract with Quinine or Arsenic is a very useful combination. A strong decoction is said to ward off an impending paroxysm of ague, if administered early enough.

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