Interesting plants and their Uses in Eclectic Female Medicine
Plant used to make Resin of Podophyllum
First Plant Image
BloodRoot use for warts By John King.
"Applied to fungous growths, indolent and ill-conditioned
ulcers, and fleshy excrescences, the powder often proves of utility, removing the fungous growth by its escharotic action, and creating a new
and healthy energy in the ulcers. An infusion made in vinegar has
been found valuable in several obstinate cutaneous diseases, tetter, ringworm, and warts. Dose of the powder, as an emetic, from ten to twenty grains; of the tincture, from twenty to sixty drops; as a stimulant
or expectorant, from three to five, grains; as an alternative, from half a grain to two grains. It may be used in powder, pills, tincture, or extract."
Interestingly, while Dr. King used this common poisonous plant to remove warts, he had discovered a treatment that truly does remove genital warts, Podophyllum. The Resin of podophyllum was used instead of mercury as a way to induce vomiting and treat the most common venereal diseases of the time, syphilis and gonorrhea. IT was INGESTED rather than placed on the skin lesions. "And since August 1835, I have prepared and used, more or less in my practice, in the treatment of various forms of disease, the Resins of Podophyllum, Iris, Cimicifuga, Alcoholic Extract of Aletris, and several other medicinal plants.
In July, 1844, I first called public attention to the Resins of Podophyllum and Iris, in the New York Philosophical Medical Journal, Yol. I., No. 7, pages 157-161, in which I recommended the Mandrake resin in combination with an alkali, for hepatic diseases, scrofula, dropsy, syphilis gonorrhea, gleet, obstructed menstruation, etc., but of which it appears but little notice was taken by the profession. "
That changes, quickly. It was adopted by eclectic physicians and regular physicians. It was still ingested and used as a laxative and a way to induce vomiting for many years. It was on the market in the United States until the OTC FDA Laxative Committee removed it in 1975.
Not surprising that Eclectic medical doctors used Cannabis sativa. It was used for pain instead of opium but Dr. King recommended it also for the prevention of miscarriage and treatment for gonorrhea. Cannabis was also turned into tinctures, resins, and drops. These different formulations were for different conditions.
"The following is a certain cure for gonorrhea: Take while in blossom from male and female plants, Hemp, bruise them in a mortar, take the juice and mix with equal parts alcohol. Dose one to three drops every two to three hours." Dr. King
Cannabis does not cure gonorrhea but its use in medicine by the eclectics was well documented. It was written about in their journal, National Eclectic Medical Association for the treatment of hysteria. It was not used as much as Cimicifuga(black cohosh) for female disorders but it definitely had a place in their history.