Features: There are many different species of Gossypium, a member of the Malvaceae, or Mallow, family. Economically, cotton is one of the most valuable of all plants. The biennial or triennial herb is a branching shrub about 5 ft. high, with woody roots, and branches. The flower seems to open only for pollination, as it withers after one day. The boll grows to golf ball size with pointed tip. The boll cracks and splits from the tip showing locks, or 8 – 10 seeds with fibres attached. The open dried boll, which holds the fluffed-out cotton is called the burr. Native to Asia, but is cultivated extensively in many parts of the world. In the United States more successfully in the southern portion. Part Used: The inner bark of the root. Solvent: Boiling water. Bodily Influence: Emmenagogue, Parturient, Oxytocic. Uses: For parturient in childbirth add ¼ lb. of the bark to l½ quarts of water and reduce by boiling to 1 pint; take a wineglassful every ½ hr. For obstructed menstruation it should be continued daily until the desired effect is produced. A strong decoction of the seeds as a tea is mucilaginous and is reputed to be an effective cure for fever and ague.
COTTON ROOT Gossypium herbaceum, L.( Botanic Medicine, Moscow, 1951)
Homoeopathic Clinical: Tincture of fresh inner root bark— Abortion, Amenorrhoea, Dysmenorrhoea, Labia( abscess of), Ovaries( pains in), Pregnancy( vomiting of), Sterility, Tumour, Uterus( bearing down in). Russian Experience: Time never passes without the use of absorbent Cotton in Russia, and elsewhere, for industrial, commercial, and clinical use. Known in Russia as Hlopok or Vatta. Folk Medicine: The root is used to stop bleeding, especially internally. Clinically: Common in the form of extract. India and Pakistan: The many and different uses of the whole Cotton plant has long been established in India and Pakistan. Root Bark: As an Abortifacient, in uterine disorder, and as effective Emmanenagogue. Root powder, 20 – 60 grain dose; its decoction, 1 – 2 oz. every 30 min. Leaves: Crushed to make a fresh extract and used in Diarrhoea, Dysentery, Piles, Strangury, Gravel. Seed: Is used as a decoction or in powder form as Laxative, Expectorant, Antidysenteric, Aphrodisiac, Demulcent, Nervine, Tonic, Galactagogue and Abortifacient. Externally: Cotton seed oil: an application for Rheumatic disease and dressing for Freckles, Herpes, Scabies and Wounds. Local applications will act as a sedative for Neuralgia and Chronic headache. Cotton Ash Fibres: Are effective applied to Ulcers; Sores and Wounds. Leaves and Seeds: As a poultice for Bruises, Burns, Scalds, Sores, Swellings. For Uterine colic, a hot leaf infusion is applied.