250 Botanic Drugs 



on a scientific but clinically untried basis, while one 

 or two are fraudulent. Also see "Cotarnine." 



PAREIRA 



Chondodendron tomentosum. Was official in the 

 eighth U. S. P. Not recognized in any other coun- 

 try. Belongs to the Menispermaceae, an order of 

 climbing shrubs of no general medicinal importance. 

 There are several species, badly mixed in commerce, 

 making supplies notoriously unreliable. Possesses 

 no defined physiological action. Good specimens 

 resemble buchu in action. The drug is similarly 

 used. The fl. is given in doses of 30 minims. Very 

 properly deleted from the U. S. P. IX. 



Menispermum Canadense, CANADIAN MOONSEED, 

 is the plant largely sold for pareira. Contains a 

 trace of berberina and a bitter; has been employed 

 as a substitute for sarsaparilla. A feeble tonic of 

 little value. 



PASSIFLORA 



Passiflora incarnata, PASSION FLOWER. Not offi- 

 cial, but listed in the N. F. The order of Passi- 

 iloraceae are not generally recognized as possessed 

 of any definite activity. This drug came into vogue 

 in America largely through proprietary medicine 

 advertising in which unwarranted and wholly un- 

 scientific claims were made. 



On the other hand, there is quite a volume of 

 clinical evidence in favor of the drug. One article 

 in its favor was by Prof. Solomon Soils Cohen 

 (Critic and Guide, Jan., 1913). 



My attention was first attracted to it in Homeo- 

 pathic literature, in which it is commended as an 

 efficient antispasmodic useful in insomnia, neuroses, 



