Botanic Remedies 297 



SAMBUCUS 



ELDER, Sambucus Canadensis. Not official. Sam- 

 bucus nigra (flowers) are very generally official ex- 

 cept in the U. S.; the berries are official in a few 

 countries, and the juice of the berries in six coun- 

 tries. The two plants are similar in action. 



ELDER FLOWERS carry a peculiar volatile oil. A 

 distilled elder flower water is used as a fragrant 

 vehicle, especially for collyria and lotions. In warm 

 infusion the flowers are diuretic. The berries possess 

 no medicinal activity. 



The bark and root are, in full dosage, hydrogogue 

 cathartic, and may be used in the treatment of 

 dropsy in doses of 30 to 60 minims fl. 



The decoction of the inner bark is used freely as 

 a diuretic in the treatment of acute nephritis. 



In small doses, fl. 5 to 10 minims, the inner bark 

 is an alterative of value in the treatment of edematous 

 skin affections. 



SANDALWOOD 



SANTAL, Santalum Album. The heart wood is 

 official in France and Spain; SANDALWOOD OIL is 

 nearly universally official. 



The oil, in an average dose of 8 minims, is an 

 effective urinary antiseptic and is eliminated chiefly 

 by the kidneys. When the urine is alkaline or 

 neutral, hexamethylenamine is not effective, but 

 santal oil is. In markedly acid urine hexamethyl- 

 enamine is more markedly antiseptic than is santal oil. 



The oil is valued in the treatment of subacute 

 and chronic urethritis, gonorrhea, and cystitis. The 

 oil is, however, very apt to be disturbing to the 

 stomach, and sometimes it induces vesical or renal 

 irritation, with dysuria. 



