26 BETH ROOT BETEL. 



BETH ROOT. Trillium pendulum, Willd. and 



Trillium e rectum. Linn. 



N.O. Liliacea. 

 Syn. Birthroot, Lamb's Quarter. 



Part used Root. 



Action Astringent, pectoral, alterative, and tonic. 

 Will be found of use in all cases of internal bleeding, 

 profuse menstruation, and pulmonary complaints. In 

 female disorders it is especially valuable both as a 

 medicine and as an enemata. It acts as a general 

 astringent to the uterine organs and should be used in 

 fluor albus, menorrhagia, &c. The infusion, made by 

 pouring i pint of boiling water on a tablespoonful of 

 powder, should be drunk freely in most cases when it is 

 required as an astringent, in doses of a wineglassful or 

 more. In coughs, &c., 10-20 grains of powdered root 

 may be taken in a little water three times a day. A 

 good antiseptic poultice may be made of equal parts of 

 powdered Beth Root and Slippery Elm with a small 

 quantity of powdered Lobelia Seed. 



Preparations Powdered root : Dose, 10-20 grains. 

 Fluid extract: Dose, 1-2 drachms. Trilliin : Dose, 

 2-4 grains. 



Distinctive character Rhizome dull brown, sub- 

 conical, more or less compressed, 1^-2 inches long, and 

 f-i inch in diameter, transversely ringed with numerous 

 oblique lines, and with numerous slender transversely 

 wrinkled rootlets on the lower surface. Transverse 

 fracture whitish, horny, and starchy. Taste, sweet, 

 bitterish, slightly astringent and acrid. Flavour, strong, 

 recalling that of podophyllum. 



BETEL. Piper Betle, Linn. 



Syn. Chavica Betle, Miq. Artanthe hexagona, Miq. 



Action Astringent. Largely used by Indian natives, 

 who chew the leaves with the Areca Nuts as a cure for 

 relaxed bowels. 



