Hydrastis Canadensis

Questions

Where does Hydrastis grow, what is its common name, and what is the name of its Alkaloid ?

It grows in Northern and Western United States, its common name is Golden Seal, and its alkaloid is called Hydrastine or Berberine, being identical with that found in Berberis zndga^'is.

From what part of the plant is our mother tincture prepared ?

From the fresh root.

What is the general action of Hydrastis ?

It acts especialh- on mucous membranes, relaxing them and producing a thick, yellowish, ropy secretion. It also produces a condition of marasmus, and is specially active in old, easily tired people, cachectic individuals, with great debility, emaciation and prostration, and weak digestion. Give the symptoms indicating Hydrastis in nasal Catarrh. Watery, excoriating coryza, with burning and rawness in the nose and a sensation as if a hair was in the nose, the discharge being more profuse out of doors; later a thick, yellow, tenacious discharge and a constant dropping from the posterior nares into the throat.

How does this condition differ from that found under Kali bich.?

With Kali bich. there is a tendency to deep ulceration, and the mucus is even more tenacious and stringy than under Hydrastis.

Is there any ulceration with Hydrastis?

There is, but it is a more superficial ulcerative process than that under Kali bich.

What are the stomach symptoms of Hydrastis?

There is a sinking, gone feeling at the pit of the stomach; an empty, gone feeling, as if the patient had suffered from a diarrhcea for a long time; there are also eructations and some nausea. Atonic dyspepsia; tongue large, flabby, slimy.

In what diseases of the stomach will Hydrastis be found to be most often indicated ?

In ulceration, cancer and chronic gastric Catarrh.

What are the indications for Hydrastis in Constipation ?

After the use of purgatives, when there is present the sinking, gone feeling at the epigastrium, and symptoms of gastro-duodenal catarrh, such as torpidity of the liver, yellow skin and tenderness in the hepatic region and light colored stools.

What other remedy is useful for Constipation resulting from abuse of purgatives?

Ntix vomica.

What is the Leucorrhoea of Hydrastis ?

Like all the secretions of Hydrastis it is thick, yellow and tenacious, and is accompanied with great weakness and Constipation.

What is the principal use to which the Eclectics put this remedy ?

For a tonic in digestive complaints.

What are the chief ear symptoms of Hydrastis ?

Muco-purulent discharge, roaring in the ears and catarrhal deafness, with heavy, dull condition of the head.