Culver's root

Action and Therapy. Leptandra is a gastro-hepatic and intestinal stimulant. The fresh root is viciously cathartic and has produced bloody stools and abortion. Drying, however, deprives the drug of its drastic quality and it becomes a safe cholagogue, laxative, and cathartic.

Therapy. In malarial conditions no cathartic is more efficient than leptandra. It may be given in full doses, and there is no irritation from its action. It certainly increases the discharge of bile and stimulates and greatly improves the function of the liver.

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage. This is a valuable cholagogue pill, very beneficial in liver affections, obstinate constipation, or wherever catharsis is required. It will likewise be found useful in dysentery. The dose is from 1 to 3 pills, once or twice a day. A very useful and effectual pill, that will not occasion gastro-intestinal irritation, may be made by thoroughly mixing together resin of podophyllum, 30 grains; extract of leptandra, 60 grains; extract of hyoscyamus, 45 grains; and dividing the mass into 60 pills. The compound cathartic pill of some of our practitioners is composed of resin of podophyllum, 15 grains; dry extract of leptandra, extract of hyoscyamus, each 1 drachm. Mix, and divide into 60 pills.

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage. This preparation is a cholagogue cathartic, and was formerly regarded of immense benefit in epidemic dysentery, in doses of 8 grains, repeated every 1 or 2 hours, until it operates freely, after which it may be given 2 or 3 times a day. It was also used with asserted advantage in typhoid, remittent, and intermittent fevers, with or without the addition of quinine sulphate; also in biliary derangements. The addition of 3 grains of santonin to each dose, and given twice a day, forms an admirable anthelmintic (J. King).