Botanic Remedies 149 



In the British Pharmacopeia it is called Brayera 

 anthelmintica. Used as a teniafuge. The average 

 dose is 240 grains. This is administered in the form 

 of an unstrained infusion. The drug is a gastro- 

 intestinal irritant, depresses the heart, is apt to be 

 promptly vomited when administered, is unreliable 

 unless the flowers used are quite fresh, and it is most 

 disagreeable in action. 



CYPRIPEDIUM 



LADIES' SLIPPER, Cypripedium pubescens, or C. 

 parviflorum. Official only in the Eighth U. S. P. 

 and in no other national standard. Deleted from 

 the ninth U. S. P., but added to the National 

 Formulary. 



Cypripedium is a nervine possessing an action 

 akin to that of valerian; but it is less efficient. It 

 is effective in functional hyperasthesias in 10- to 

 30-minim doses fl. In hysterical and irritable states 

 it may promote sleep. Cerebral hyperemia is its 

 indication, and conditions incident thereto are more 

 or less amenable to its influence. It is a mildly- 

 acting and not very effective agent; but it sometimes 

 serves well in treating children and delicate women. 



DAMIANA 



Turnera aphrodisiaca. A gentle stimulant not un- 

 like ordinary tea, and used as such in Mexico. 

 There is no creditable evidence that damiana pos- 

 sesses aphrodisiac properties. It is noted here 

 simply to aid in dispelling a popular but unfounded 

 belief. See the Pharmaceutical Review, Vol. 22, 

 p. 126. 



