138 



ROSACES. 



Medical l*roperties and Uses. Hardback and other species of spiraea, 

 both indigenous and exotic, have been used considerably as astringents, 

 both internally and topically. Their action appears to differ in no way 

 from that of other simple vegetable astringents. 



GILLENIA. INDIAN PHYSIC. 



Gilleniatrifoli ata Moench. Indian Physic. 



Description. Calyx tubular-campanulate, 5-toothed, the teeth some- 

 what reflexed. Corolla : petals 5, unequal, linear-lanceolate, the two upper 



somewhat separated from the three 

 lower, inserted in the throat of the 

 calyx. Stamens 10 to 20, included. 

 Pods 5, included, 2- to 4-seeded. 



An herbaceous perennial. 

 Stems several from one root, 1 to 

 2 feet high, erect, slender, flexuous, 

 smooth, commonly tinged with red, 

 and considerably branched. Leaves 

 alternate, trifoliate ; leaflets ovate, 

 lanceolate, acuminate, sharply ser- 

 rate. The upper leaf is often sin- 

 gle. Flowers few, nodding, rose- 

 colored or white, forming a loose 

 paniculate corymb, appearing in 

 July. 



Habitat. Canada and Western 

 New York to Georgia. 



Part Used. The root not of- 

 ficial. 



Constituents. In addition to 

 the ordinary vegetable principles, 

 such as starch, gum, resin, tannin, 

 etc., gillenia possesses a peculiar 

 bitter principle, termed giU.enin, to 

 which its therapeutic properties are due. Gillenin has been obtained in 

 the form of a whitish powder, soluble in water, alcohol, ether, and dilute 

 acids. It has a very bitter taste and is an active emetic. 



Preparations. None are official. The root is commonly administered 

 in powder. A fluid extract occurs as a commercial article. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Gillenia was formerly used, especially in 

 domestic practice, as an emetic. It is said to act like ipecacuanha, though 

 less efficiently. In very small doses it is said to exert a tonic influence 

 upon the stomach similar to that of ipecacuanha when used in like manner. 



FIG. 123. Gillenia trifoliata. 



