Dwarf Elder

Dropsy with scanty, high-colored urine and generalized puffiness in a debilitated patient

Edema of the lower limbs with a sluggish, weak pulse calling for a warming, stimulating diuretic rather than a purely relaxant one

Anasarca and edema with constipation.

Overview. Aralia hispida is a low, bristly-stemmed shrub of the Araliaceae, native to gravelly and rocky ground from New England south to Virginia and west into adjacent regions. Its root and root bark were used by nineteenth century American Eclectic and physiomedical practitioners as a stimulating diuretic and alterative, distinct from the true elder (Sambucus) despite the shared common name. It belongs to the same genus as American spikenard (Aralia racemosa) and wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis), and was often grouped with them as one of the native 'sarsaparillas' used for dropsical and urinary complaints.

Clinical Notes. Eclectic physicians reached for Aralia hispida chiefly in cases of dropsy where the urine was scanty and the patient's general tone was low, favoring a warming, stimulating diuretic over a purely relaxant one.

Action and Therapy. Sometimes a surprisingly effective agent for the removal of anasarca dependent chiefly upon renal inactivity or renal irritation. Moreover, it often fails. It is, however, useful as a mild renal stimulant and laxative, and occasionally gives a good account of itself in the treatment of gravel.

Therapy. A valuable, but infrequently used, remedy in dropsy. In anasarca, if given in active doses, it produces catharsis as well as diuresis, greatly augmenting the flow of urine and causing an excretion of water to a most serviceable extent. An infusion of aralia, given with other agents suggested for dropsy, will exercise a most immediate influence in the removal of the fluid. In suppression of urine it is an unirritating stimulant of much value. In gravel It is of some benefit, and may be given freely in combination with remedies directly indicated for other existing conditions.