Family Name: Araliaceae

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Notes from the Eclectic Physicians

Notes from the Eclectic Physicians

1828: Rafinesque
Hispida has the same uses as Nudicaulis.

1854: JOHN KING – ARALIA HISPIDA – DWARF ELDER
Properties and Uses -The leaves in warm infusion are sudorific. The bark is diuretic and alterative. Very valuable in dropsy, gravel, suppression of urine, and other urinary disorders. The juice and decoction of the fresh roots are said to be emetic and hydragogue, and have been found efficacious in dropsy. Dose of decoction, two to four ounces, three times a day.

1859: Gunn
The bark, especially the root, is diuretic and alterative, and considered quite valuable in dropsey, supressed urine, gravel, and all affections of the kidneys and urinary organs. Used in decoction; dose from half to a teacupful , three or four times a day.

1868: l
Listed in Canadian Pharmacopia.

1874: Scudder
The Dwarf Elder has been extensively and successfully employed in dropsy. The infusion has usually been employed, and given freely.

I would suggest a tincture of the recent bark, in dilute alcohol, in the proportion of 3viij. to the Oj.; dose gtts. x. to 3j.

I have employed it to but a limited extent, yet with good results. It has a very positive influence on the circulation, and upon secretion. Does it not act on them through the sympathetic nervous system? and may we not influence all the vegetative functions with it, as we do with some others? It is deserving thorough investigation.

1883: Scudder
The bark of the root of aralia hispida – U.S

Dose: Aralia is mostly administered in decoction. One ounce of the dried root to a pint and a half of water, boiled down to one pint. Dose, two to four ounces, repeated as often as the stomach will bear it.

Therapeutic Action: Aralia is diuretic, alterative, purgative, emetic and detergent. It is an important diuretic, though but little used, and apparently but little known. It is the most efficient remedy in dropsies, especially in anasarca and ascites, with which we are acquainted. As an individual agent, if we were to select but one, for the cure of the varieties of dropsy named, this is the one we should choose. It greatly augments the flow of urine, promotes absorption, and if taken very freely, causes catharsis. It is an excellent vehicle for the exhibition of cream of tartar; one or two ounces added to a pint of a strong decoction of Aralia, and taken in the course of twenty-four hours, will rapidly reduce any dropsical swelling. Like other species of Aralia, it possesses valuable alterative properties, and if taken in large doses, it is emetic.

1895: Watkins
Extensive anasarca, cedema, dropsy of cavities, shortness of breath, pain in back, liver torpid, urine scanty, bowels constipated. One ounce to three ounces of water; teaspoonful every two hours.

1901: Locke
The bark of the root is the part used. It is diuertic , alterative, cathartic, and emetic. It is a very good remedy in dropsy, inceasing the flow of urine and promoting absorption. Make an infusion by macerating for two hours one ounce of the bark of the root in a pint of water. Dose,a wineflasul with a teaspoonful of cream of tartar. This acts as a diuretic and cathartic. If this does not act repeat the dose in four hours. In place of this from five to ten drops of specific aralia hispida may be used. Give this every three hours until the effusion is removed. It is a good alterative , influencing circulation and secretion, and as such it is a good agent in syphilis and scrofula and many other chronic diseases when an alterative is needed.

1903: Modern Materia Medica and Therapeutics
part used: bark of root
dose: fluid extract, 1-2 drachms, specific medicine: 5-20 drops. One dose every three hours.
indications: dropsey of cavities, urinary iritation. anasarca, ascites, diuretic, alterative, cathartic, emetic.

1906: Ellingwood
It is prescribed in dropsies of serous cavities, and diffuse anasarca from hepatic or renal insufficiency. A valuable but infrequently used, remedy in dropsy. In anasarca, if given in active doses, it produces catharsis as well as diuresis, greatly augmenting the flow of urine and causing excretion of water to a most serviceable extent. An infusion of aralia, given with other agents suggested for dropsy, will exercise a most immediate influence in the removal of the fluid. In suppression of urine it is an unirritating stimulant of much value. In gravel it is of some benefit, and may be given freely in combination with remedies directly indicated for other existing conditions.

1909: King
The leaves in warm infusion are sudorific. It has a marked influence upon the secretions, and the circulation. The bark is diuretic and alterative, and has an especial action on the kidneys, increasing secretion and allaying irritation. Very valuable in dropsy, gravel, and suppression of urine, and other urinary disorders.

1909: Felter and Lloyd: ARALIA HISPIDA – DWARF ELDER
History -This is a low undershrub, growing from New England to Virginia , in fields, hedges, rocky places, and along the road-sides. The fruit is round, black, one-celled, containing three irregular-shaped seeds. The bark of the plant is employed in medicine, but that of the root is the most active. It yields its virtues to water.

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage – The leaves in warm infusion are sudorific. It has a marked influence upon the secretions, and the circulation. The bark is diuretic and alterative, and has an especial action on the kidneys, increasing secretion and allaying irritation. Very valuable in dropsy, gravel, and suppression of urine, and other urinary disorders. The juice and decoction of the fresh roots are said to be emetic and hydragogue and have been found efficient in dropsy. Dose of decoction (3ss to aqua Oj), 2 to 4 ounces, 3 times a day. Specific aralia hispida, 1 to 30 drops.

Specific Indications and Uses – Diffused anasarea; dropsy of cavities; oedema; dropsy with constipation, renal an dhepatic torpor; dyspnoea; and pain in the lumbar region.

1911:Fyfe
dose: fluid extract, 1-2 drachms.specidic medicine, 5-20 drops

indications: dropsey of the cavities, iritation of the urinary apartus, In anasarca and ascites this plant is deemed of considerable value.

Aralia hispida is diuretic, alterative, cathartic, and emetic.

1919: Ellingwood: ARALIA – ARALIA HISPIDA
Synonym – Dwarf Elder.

Constituents – Has not been analyzed.

Preparations – Specific Aralia. Dose, from five to twenty minims.

Specific Symptomatology -It is prescribed in dropsies of serous cavities, and diffuse anasarca from hepatic or renal inefficiency.

Therapy – A valuable, but infrequently used, remedy in dropsy. In anasarca, if given in active doses, it produces catharsis as well as diuresis, greatly augmenting the flow of urine and causing an excretion of water to a most serviceable extent. An infusion of aralia, given with other agents suggested for dropsy, will exercise a most immediate influence in the removal of the fluid. In suppression of urine it is an unirritating stimulant of much value. In gravel it is of some benefit, and may be given freely in combination with remedies directly indicated for other existing conditions.

1925: Wood and Ruddock
The best preparation is an extract of the bark of the root mixed with vaseline. This makes one of the best healing salves.

1933: H.Smith
Potawatomi Indians: This medicine seems known only to Mrs. Spoon an she said the root is used as an alterative and tonic, that it is nowhere common in the forest country. Most of the other Indian tribes consulted had never noticed the difference between this species and sarsaparilla.(Aralia nudicaulis)

1970: Iroquois:
Used as medicine.