Cuphea Yiscosissima

Lythrum petiolatum. Waxweed. Fluxweed. Red Pennyroyal N. O. Lythraceae (Loosestrifes). Decoction or tincture of fresh plants collected in July or Angust.

Clinical

Cholera infantum. Dysentery.

Characteristics

This is a popular remedy in some parts of U.S. for summer diarrhoea and dysentery, as one of its names, " Fluxweed," would imply. The entire plant has a clammy, sticky feel, and contains tannin. It was first introduced to homoeopathic practice by Dr. A. A. Both, of Frederick, Maryland, who was induced to try it in his practice by a lady patient (H. R., iii. 242), and his experience has been confirmed by S. G. A. Brown (Med. Cent.). Dr. Both gave from 5 to lo-drop doses, according to age. The two chief forms on which it is successful are : (i) Cases arising from acidity of milk or food ; vomiting of undigested food or curdled milk, with frequent green, watery, acid stools, varying in number from five to thirty a day ; child fretful and feverish ; can retain nothing on stomach ; food seems to pass right through the child. (2) Stools decidedly dysenteric, small, frequent, bloody, with tenesmus and great pain ; high fever, restlessness, and sleeplessness. Dr. Both considers it has " tonic " properties, as children rally rapidly under it. In ordinary diarrhoeas, especially diarrhoea from cold, he found it useless. Brown says: ''If you have a child that is fretful and feverish ; vomits curdled milk ; from a hyper-acidity of the stomach ; has frequent green, watery, acid stools ; or even if the stools are dysenteric, with great tenesmus and colic ; high fever and restlessness, give Cuphea." Compare : Æthusa.