Solvents: Alcohol, though more especially water.
BITTER ROOT Apocynum androsaemifolium, L.( Weeds, Canadian Agricultural Department, Ottawa, 1955)
Bodily Influence: Emetic, Diaphoretic, Tonic, Laxative, Expectorant. Uses: Bitter root is a celebrated remedy among the Indians for the treatment of venereal diseases and is regarded as almost infallible. Has been recommended in the treatment of Bright’ s disease. It is also highly praised for rheumatic gout of the joints and has been known to relieve cardial dropsy when everything else has failed. Parkinson quotes it is a“ sovereign remedy against all poisons and against the bites of mad dogs”; hence it derives its name Dog’ s bane. Bitter root will help to rid the system of other impurities, including expelling worms, and is influential in treating Diabetes.
Bitter root is a very bitter stimulating tonic, acting chiefly upon the liver, emptying the gall ducts, securing a free discharge of bile and thereby causing activity of the bowels. For jaundice, gall stones and chronic sluggish conditions of the liver Bitter root is unequalled. It should not be employed in irritable conditions of the stomach.
When used as an alterative to act on the liver, or for dyspepsia, a dose would be 10 grains twice a day( 5 – 6 grains of the extract). This remedy has been employed by some practitioners for nervous headache, for which it is said to be one of the most prompt and effective remedies in use. Large doses cause vomiting but tendency to gripe can be eliminated by adding Peppermint( Mentha-piperita), Calamus( Sweet flag), Fennel( Foeniculum officinale) or other carminatives. Take 2 – 5 grains thrice daily as a general tonic. Externally: In the spring the milk of Bitter root will remove unsightly warts( if the circulation is active within the system) if applied fresh two or three times daily. Be sure to apply only on the raised area. You will notice a burning and, perhaps, swelling, this is to be expected. If the area forms a scab, let it drop off of its own accord, underneath will be a smooth unelevated surface.( Do not regard moles as warts.) Homoeopathic Clinical: Tincture from the root— Diarrhoea, Dropsy, Nausea, Neuralgia of the face, Vomiting, Wandering rheumatism, Worms. Russian Experience: American Bitter root does not grow wild in Russia. After extensive research on medical purpose and cultivation, they commercially cultivate Kendir Konoplevy( Bitter root) in the European part of Russia and West Siberia. In all herbal and agronomical publications they encourage and promote the use of the rhizome and root for medical aid.
Dr. A. Nelubin in his Pharmacography( Medical Botanics) first described American Bitter root in 1850. This credit aroused interest and was clinically proved in many cases of heart diseases and dropsy. Up to 1930 – 33 it was imported from the United States of America, but since this time