138 



ROSACEA. 



3Iedical Properties and Uses. — Hardback and other species of spirsea, 

 both indigenous and exotic, bave 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. 



Gillenia trifoliata Moench. — Indian Physic. 



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

 what reilexed. Corolla : petals 5, unec[ual, linear-lanceolate, the two uj^per 



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, sharjDly ser- 

 rate. The upper leaf is often sin- 

 gle. Flowers few, nodding, rose- 

 colored or white, forming a loose 

 paniculate corymb, aiDpeaiing 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 giUenin, 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.— l^one are official. The root is commonly administered 

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



Medical Pi^operties and Uses. — Gillenia was formerly used, especially iu 

 domestic jDractice, 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. 



