EUPATORIUM 



427 



Powder. Yellowish-green. Characteristic elements: Sclerenchyma with bast 

 fibers, thin- walled, very slightly or not at all lignified; ducts, spiral, annular, 

 with bordered pits; trichomes, glandular and non-glandular present, 2- to 12-celled, 

 of different shapes; stomata present; pollen, ellipsoidal (10 to 20 /* diam.); pappus, 

 multicellular axis, unicellular branches. 



CONSTITUENTS. A peculiar, bitter, crystallizable glucoside (eupatorin), soluble 

 in boiling water, alcohol, ether, and chloroform; resin, gum, tannin, and an 

 undetermined wax-like, crystalline matter. 



FIG. 253. Eupatorium perfoliatum Portion of plant and flower (enlarged). 



ACTION AND USES. Stimulant and tonic, in large doses emetic and cathartic, 

 and as a diaphoretic often used in warding off a cold and in fevers. Dose: 

 30 to 60 gr. (2 to 4 Gm.), in infusion, powder, or fluidextract, which was 

 formerly official. 



575. EUPATORIUM PURPUREUM Linne. QUEEN OF THE MEADOW. GRAVEL 

 ROOT. The leaves and root of this indigenous plant are an excellent diuretic. 

 Also tonic, stimulant, and somewhat astringent. Dose: 30 to 60 gr. (2 to 4 

 Gm.). 



