Apocynum cannabinum

Description

Indian Hemp

Increases secretions of mucous and serous membranes and acts on cellular tissue, producing œdema and dropsy and on skin causing diaphoresis. Acute hydrocephalus. A diminished frequency of the pulse is a prime indication. This is one of our most efficient remedies, in dropsies, ascites, anasarca and hydrothorax, and urinary troubles, especially suppression and strangury. In the digestive complaints of Bright’s disease, with the nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, difficult breathing, it will be found of frequent service. The dropsy is characterized by great thirst and gastric irritability. Arrhythmia. Mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. Acute alcoholism. Relaxation of sphincters.

Mind.–Bewildered. Low spirited.

Nose.–Long-continued sneezing. Snuffles of children (Sambucus). Chronic nasal catarrh with tendency to acute stuffiness with dull, sluggish memory. Dull headache. Takes cold easily, nostrils become congested and blocked up easily.

Stomach.–Nausea, with drowsiness. Thirst on walking. Excessive vomiting. Food or water is immediately ejected. Dull, heavy, sick feeling. Oppression in epigastrium and chest, impeding breathing (Lobelia infl). Sensation of sinking in stomach. Abdomen bloated. Ascites.

Stool.–Watery, flatulent, with soreness in anus; worse after eating. Feeling as if sphincter were open and stools ran right out.

Urine.–Bladder much distended. Turbid, hot urine, with thick mucus and burning in urethra, after urinating. Little expulsive power. Dribbling. Strangury. Renal Dropsy.

Female.–Amenorrhœa, with bloating; metrorrhagia with nausea; fainting, vital depression. Hæmorrhages at change of life. Blood expelled in large clots.

Respiratory.–Short, dry cough. Respiratory short and unsatisfactory. Sighing. Oppression about epigastrium and chest.

Heart.–Tricuspid regurgitation; rapid and feeble, irregular cardiac action, low arterial tension, pulsating jugulars, general cyanosis and general dropsy.

Sleep.–Great restlessness and little sleep.

Modalities.–Worse, cold weather; cold drinks; uncovering.

Relationship.–Cymarin is the active principle of Apocyn, lowers pulse rate and increases blood-pressure. Strophanthus (extreme cardiac depression with intense gastric disturbance; dropsy). Aralia hispida-Wild Elder-a valuable diuretic, useful in dropsy of the cavities, either due to hepatic or renal disease with constipation. Urinary disorders, especially with dropsy. Scudder advises doses of five to thirty drops in sweetened cream of tartar, (Solution). Apis, Arsenic, Digital; Helleb.

Dose.–Tincture (ten drops three times daily) and in acute alcoholism 1 dram of decoction in 4 oz water.