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Common Name: Bearsfoot | Scientific Name: Polymnia Uvedalia

Family Name: Compositae

Introduction

This herb was used by the Eclectics to treat chronic inflammation, be that of the joints, the liver, or the colon. Its use as an anti-inflammatory makes it an herb of interest today. Inflammation continues to be a problem and the chemical drugs out there cause lots of side effects. Somebody look into this.


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Notes from the Eclectic Physicians

Notes from the Eclectic Physicians

1883: Scudder: (alterative)
(The root of Polymnia Uvedalia – U.S. )

Preparations – Tincture of Uvedalia. Ointment of Uvedalia.

Dose – From two to twenty drops.

Therapeutic Action – Uvedalia has been recommended as a specific for the peculiar condition of the spleen known as “ague cake.” For this condition, I think, there is no remedy of the materia materia so efficient. The tincture is given in doses of five or ten drops every three or four hours, and the abdomen is thoroughly rubbed with the ointment, and heat applied to promote absorption.

It is a valuable remedy in chronic inflammation of the liver, and in enlargements of this organ. In cases of imperfect blood-making with tumid abdomen, it has proven an excellent remedy. In chronic metritis with hypertrophy, in sub-involution of the uterus, in engorgement of the lower lobe of the lungs, and when inflammatory deposits have not been absorbed, it may be thought of.

I have used it in chronic disease of the joints, the tissues being full and doughy, with most excellent results. Indeed I may say, that whenever we find a tissue full, inelastic and sodden, benefit may be expected from the thorough application of this remedy.

It is one of the best hair tonics in the materia medica, and if anything will stimulate growth, I think this may be depended upon. For this purpose I order Tincture Uvedalia 3ivl, Bay Rum 3xij. Mix, and rub thoroughly once or twice a day.

1895: Watkins: UVEDALIA, SP MED :
Enlarged spleen, feeling of weight and heaviness in splenic an dhepatic regions; skin full, enelastic and sallow. Ten to twenty drops three times a day.

1898: Felter and Lloyd – POLYMNIA – UVEDALIA
Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage – Polymnia was introduced to the medical profession, in 1870, by Dr. J. W. Pruitt, although it had several years previously been highly lauded, under the name of Bear’s foot, as a remedy in rheumatism. Dr. Pruitt recommended it in the form of ointment, as a local application in mammary and other glandular tumors or abscesses, in splenic enlargement, and, indeed, in all painful swellings and local inflammations. Subsequently, he employed a tincture of it internally, in connection with its external use, and found its efficacy to be thereby augmented. The tincture alone, was likewise found efficient in the treatment of chronic intermittent fever, ozeona, scrofulous ophthalmia, and similar affections. According to Dr. Pruitt, it may be considered a specific in splenic enlargement from malarial influence. Prof. J. M. Scudder, M.D., has used it with good effect in chronic gastritis, chronic hepatic enlargement, hypertrophy of the cervix uteri, chronic metritis with hypertrophy, uterine subinvolution, and engorgement of the lower lobes of the lungs; according to him the indications for its use are full, flabby, sallow tissues, impaired circulation, atonic impairment of function, and glandular enlargement. The efficacy of this drug in the effections named has been corroborated by many other practitioners who have tested it. It stands to-day at the head of spleen remedies, influencing not only the splenic circulation and reducing hypertrophies of that organ, but has more or less control over the other distributive branches of the coeliac axis. It is a remedy for congestive or engorged states of the spleen and other dictless glands. When dyspepsia depends upon a sluggish circulation in the gastric and hepatic arteries, and is attended with full, heavy, and burning sensations in the parts supplied by those branches we have in uvedalia an efficient remedy. It even exerts a beneficial action in some cases of that intractable malady, leucocythemia, though it more often fails. The remedy to be of benefit in all glandular difficulties should be used for several weeks. For its influence in splenic engorgement (ague cake) the ointment should be applied warm over the spleen, while specific polymnia uvedalia should be given in from 5 to 10 drop doses every 3 or 4 hours. It is a remedy for imperfect blood-elaboration, with tumid, sodden abdomen, and for the removal of low inflammatory deposits. With Prof. Scudder the following was a favorite hair tonic: R Specific uvedalia, 3ii; bay rum, 3vi. Mix. Rub thoroughly into the scalp once or twice a day. White swelling is stated to have been cured by the use of polymnia, both internally and as a local application, but we know of no authentic cases. The ointment appears to be a stimulating discutient. The dose of the tincture is from 10 to 60 minims, 2 or 3 times a day; of specific polymnia uvedalia from 2 to 20 drops.

Specific Indications and Uses – Full, sodden, inelastic, flabby tissues; splenic and hepatic enlargements, fullness, weight and burning in the region of liver, stomach and spleen; congestive states and impaired functions of the parts supplied by the coeliac axis; impaired blood-making with tumid abdomen; low inflammatory deposits.

1898: Webster : (Digestive System)
This remedy influences the circulation in the coeliacaxis‑-distributi on, and is applicable to digestive troubles dependent on congestion of the first capillary distribution of this portion of the portal circulation.

It is applicable to dyspeptic conditions attended by fullness in the epigastrium, sense of weight and sinking and burning when due to fullness of the gastric capillaries. It should be continued for several weeks, in order to derive its full benefit.

Form for Administration- The specific medicine.

Dose- From five drops to half a drachm.

1898: Webster: (The Ductless Glands)
The specific affinity of polymnia for the spleen has been attested by various Eclectic physicians for many years, and has become one of hte established points in our therapeutics. Its action is prompt and unmistakable, when disturbances of the circulation here are to be controlled, or their sequelae removed.

It not only acts promptly in the removal of the enlargement known as “ague-cake” but it proves resolvent of other indurations. Probably I may say without challenge that this is the typical spleen remedy-which excels all others in promptness and positiveness of action. There is but one form of splenic enlargement in which its value will not seen be attested; and this is the condition that defies most effeorts for its remocal, becuase it depneds upon a deeply seated constitutional depravity, which is an etiolgical facor in a series of changes of which the splenic derangement is but one of many. I refer to leucocythemia. Even in this case I have known polymnia to appreciably diminish the size of the spleen, though this was probably on account of its influence over the circulation here, the disease proceeding to an unfavorable termination unchecked, the enlargement of the spleen being but partially reduced.

Form of administration: the specific medicine.

Dose: from five to twenty drops three or four times a day.

1901: Locke
Specific Polymnia: This preparation is representative of the drug containing oleoresin in full amount. When dropped into water a milky mixture results and in time a sediment follows.

This remedy powerfully affects those parts supplied with blood by the branches of the coeliac axis. It is the remedy for congestion of these parts. Given internally in small doses, and applied warm locally and well rubbed in it forms the most certain remedy for all splenic enlargements, and especially for ague cake. It is a remedy for other glandular enlargements, and has favorably influenced the hypertrophied uterus. Dyspepsia,due to engorged vessels, and associated with a feeling of heaviness, sinking, burning, and fullness of the epigastric region, is benefitted by it. It will remove low inflammatory deposits, chronic metritis, uterine hypertrophy, and subinvolution. Hepatic and pulmonary engorgement are conditions in hwich it should not be forgotten. Full, sodden, and inelastic tissues always indicate this remedy. According to prof jm sudder, the following is one of the most certain hair tonics.

1905: Petersen – POLYMNIA UVEDALIA
Syn – Polymnia; Bearsfoot; Yellow Leaf Cup

P. E. – Root

N. O. – Compositae

N. H. – United States

Properties: Tonic stimulant. Improves nutrition and increases waste.

Indications: In glandular enlargement with functional atony. Inactivity of glandular organs with impaired circulation. Flabby, full, sodden and sallow tissues. The remedy in enlarged spleen and liver. In chronic hepatitis, chronic spleenitis. Also of value in glandular and structural hypertrophy of other organs; glandular induration and abscess in scrofulous people. Chronic rheumatism, lumbago, myalgia or other diseases depending on removal of waste, are benefitted by its use. Increases capillary circulation. It is our best remedy in chronic malaria with enlarged liver and spleen. In enlarged glands from syphilis it is of value. If combined with ceanothus americanus it is even more effective in these conditions. Of value in hypertrophy of the uterus and subinvolution, and in dyspepsia, the result of engorgement of the vessels with a burning and heavy sensation in the epigastrium. In chronic metritis it may be combined with other indicated remedies. Glycerine or syrup are the best menstrums for the administration of polymnia.

1911: Fyfe
Enlargement of the spleen, with sensation of weights and dragging, flabby sallow tissues, as in chronic splenitis, splenic enlargement from malarial influence. Polymnia uvedalia is antispasmodic, anthelmintic, anti-rheumatic, stimulant, and alterative.

It is a valuable remedy in chronic inflammation of the liver, and in enlargements of this organ. In cases of imperfect blood-making with tumid abdomen, it has proven an excellent remedy. In chronic metritis with hypertrophy, in sub-involution of the uterus, in engorgement of the lower lobe of the lungs, and when inflammatory deposits have not been absorbed, it may be thought of.

I have used it in chronic disease of the joints, the tissues being full and doughy, with most excellent results. Indeed I may say, that whenever we find a tissue full, inelastic and sodden, benefit may be expected from the thorough application of this remedy.

It is one of the best hair tonics in the materia medica, and if anything will stimulate growth, I think this may be depended upon. For this purpose I order Tincture Uvedalia 3ivl, Bay Rum 3xij. Mix, and rub thoroughly once or twice a day.

1895: Watkins: UVEDALIA, SP MED :
Enlarged spleen, feeling of weight and heaviness in splenic an dhepatic regions; skin full, enelastic and sallow. Ten to twenty drops three times a day.

1898: Felter and Lloyd – POLYMNIA – UVEDALIA
Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage – Polymnia was introduced to the medical profession, in 1870, by Dr. J. W. Pruitt, although it had several years previously been highly lauded, under the name of Bear’s foot, as a remedy in rheumatism. Dr. Pruitt recommended it in the form of ointment, as a local application in mammary and other glandular tumors or abscesses, in splenic enlargement, and, indeed, in all painful swellings and local inflammations. Subsequently, he employed a tincture of it internally, in connection with its external use, and found its efficacy to be thereby augmented. The tincture alone, was likewise found efficient in the treatment of chronic intermittent fever, ozeona, scrofulous ophthalmia, and similar affections. According to Dr. Pruitt, it may be considered a specific in splenic enlargement from malarial influence. Prof. J. M. Scudder, M.D., has used it with good effect in chronic gastritis, chronic hepatic enlargement, hypertrophy of the cervix uteri, chronic metritis with hypertrophy, uterine subinvolution, and engorgement of the lower lobes of the lungs; according to him the indications for its use are full, flabby, sallow tissues, impaired circulation, atonic impairment of function, and glandular enlargement. The efficacy of this drug in the effections named has been corroborated by many other practitioners who have tested it. It stands to-day at the head of spleen remedies, influencing not only the splenic circulation and reducing hypertrophies of that organ, but has more or less control over the other distributive branches of the coeliac axis. It is a remedy for congestive or engorged states of the spleen and other dictless glands. When dyspepsia depends upon a sluggish circulation in the gastric and hepatic arteries, and is attended with full, heavy, and burning sensations in the parts supplied by those branches we have in uvedalia an efficient remedy. It even exerts a beneficial action in some cases of that intractable malady, leucocythemia, though it more often fails. The remedy to be of benefit in all glandular difficulties should be used for several weeks. For its influence in splenic engorgement (ague cake) the ointment should be applied warm over the spleen, while specific polymnia uvedalia should be given in from 5 to 10 drop doses every 3 or 4 hours. It is a remedy for imperfect blood-elaboration, with tumid, sodden abdomen, and for the removal of low inflammatory deposits. With Prof. Scudder the following was a favorite hair tonic: R Specific uvedalia, 3ii; bay rum, 3vi. Mix. Rub thoroughly into the scalp once or twice a day. White swelling is stated to have been cured by the use of polymnia, both internally and as a local application, but we know of no authentic cases. The ointment appears to be a stimulating discutient. The dose of the tincture is from 10 to 60 minims, 2 or 3 times a day; of specific polymnia uvedalia from 2 to 20 drops.

Specific Indications and Uses – Full, sodden, inelastic, flabby tissues; splenic and hepatic enlargements, fullness, weight and burning in the region of liver, stomach and spleen; congestive states and impaired functions of the parts supplied by the coeliac axis; impaired blood-making with tumid abdomen; low inflammatory deposits.

1898: Webster : (Digestive System)
This remedy influences the circulation in the coeliacaxis‑-distributi on, and is applicable to digestive troubles dependent on congestion of the first capillary distribution of this portion of the portal circulation.

It is applicable to dyspeptic conditions attended by fullness in the epigastrium, sense of weight and sinking and burning when due to fullness of the gastric capillaries. It should be continued for several weeks, in order to derive its full benefit.

Form for Administration- The specific medicine.

Dose- From five drops to half a drachm.

1898: Webster: (The Ductless Glands)
The specific affinity of polymnia for the spleen has been attested by various Eclectic physicians for many years, and has become one of hte established points in our therapeutics. Its action is prompt and unmistakable, when disturbances of the circulation here are to be controlled, or their sequelae removed.

It not only acts promptly in the removal of the enlargement known as “ague-cake” but it proves resolvent of other indurations. Probably I may say without challenge that this is the typical spleen remedy-which excels all others in promptness and positiveness of action. There is but one form of splenic enlargement in which its value will not seen be attested; and this is the condition that defies most effeorts for its remocal, becuase it depneds upon a deeply seated constitutional depravity, which is an etiolgical facor in a series of changes of which the splenic derangement is but one of many. I refer to leucocythemia. Even in this case I have known polymnia to appreciably diminish the size of the spleen, though this was probably on account of its influence over the circulation here, the disease proceeding to an unfavorable termination unchecked, the enlargement of the spleen being but partially reduced.

Form of administration: the specific medicine.

Dose: from five to twenty drops three or four times a day.

1901: Locke
Specific Polymnia: This preparation is representative of the drug containing oleoresin in full amount. When dropped into water a milky mixture results and in time a sediment follows.

This remedy powerfully affects those parts supplied with blood by the branches of the coeliac axis. It is the remedy for congestion of these parts. Given internally in small doses, and applied warm locally and well rubbed in it forms the most certain remedy for all splenic enlargements, and especially for ague cake. It is a remedy for other glandular enlargements, and has favorably influenced the hypertrophied uterus. Dyspepsia,due to engorged vessels, and associated with a feeling of heaviness, sinking, burning, and fullness of the epigastric region, is benefitted by it. It will remove low inflammatory deposits, chronic metritis, uterine hypertrophy, and subinvolution. Hepatic and pulmonary engorgement are conditions in hwich it should not be forgotten. Full, sodden, and inelastic tissues always indicate this remedy. According to prof jm sudder, the following is one of the most certain hair tonics.

1905: Petersen – POLYMNIA UVEDALIA
Syn – Polymnia; Bearsfoot; Yellow Leaf Cup

P. E. – Root

N. O. – Compositae

N. H. – United States

Properties: Tonic stimulant. Improves nutrition and increases waste.

Indications: In glandular enlargement with functional atony. Inactivity of glandular organs with impaired circulation. Flabby, full, sodden and sallow tissues. The remedy in enlarged spleen and liver. In chronic hepatitis, chronic spleenitis. Also of value in glandular and structural hypertrophy of other organs; glandular induration and abscess in scrofulous people. Chronic rheumatism, lumbago, myalgia or other diseases depending on removal of waste, are benefitted by its use. Increases capillary circulation. It is our best remedy in chronic malaria with enlarged liver and spleen. In enlarged glands from syphilis it is of value. If combined with ceanothus americanus it is even more effective in these conditions. Of value in hypertrophy of the uterus and subinvolution, and in dyspepsia, the result of engorgement of the vessels with a burning and heavy sensation in the epigastrium. In chronic metritis it may be combined with other indicated remedies. Glycerine or syrup are the best menstrums for the administration of polymnia.

1911: Fyfe
Enlargement of the spleen, with sensation of weights and dragging, flabby sallow tissues, as in chronic splenitis, splenic enlargement from malarial influence. Polymnia uvedalia is antispasmodic, anthelmintic, anti-rheumatic, stimulant, and alterative.

Disclaimer: The author makes no guarantees as to the the curative effect of any herb or tonic on this website, and no visitor should attempt to use any of the information herein provided as treatment for any illness, weakness, or disease without first consulting a physician or health care provider. Pregnant women should always consult first with a health care professional before taking any treatment.