Western Herbalism
Pheasants eye
Adonis vernalis
Also known as Adonis, Adonis Apennina, Pheasant's eye, Ohio Buckeye, Smooth Buckeye, Fetid Buc eye, False hellebore.
On account of its quicker action Adonis has been preferred by some to digitalis and strophanthus in the same class of heart affections to which these are applicable, or in which for some reason it is undesirable to employ them.
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Ask HerbertIndications what the tradition reached for it in
- dyspnea (30x), cardiac incompetence
Safety
Recognised toxicity. This plant carries a toxicity flag in the record; it is for trained practitioners only.
Dosing as the sources wrote it
| Preparation | As written | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Adonidin | Dose, from 1/10 to 1/3 grain. | 6.48-21.6 mg |
| Fluid Extract of Adonis Vernalis ; miscible in water without material precipitation | Dose, one to two minims. | 0.06-0.12 mL |
| Specific Medicine Adonis | Dose, from one-fourth of a minim to one minim. | 0.06-0.06 mL |
| Durand sums up his observations as follows: In doses of 1/3 grain Adonidin increases arterial tension, regulates the heart beat, diminishes the frequency of the pulse, increases the force of the cardiac contractions. | 21.6-21.6 mg | |
| In the treatment of varicosis, one writer advises it in small doses persisted in. | ||
| Dose, 1/2 to 3 grains. | 32.4-194 mg |
Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.
From the sources
Therapy. On account of its quicker action Adonis has been preferred by some to digitalis and strophanthus in the same class of heart affections to which these are applicable, or in which for some reason it is undesirable to employ them.
Therapy. Aesculus is sedative, somewhat narcotic, and has a special control over the portal circulation, relieving venous congestion. When the circulation is rapid and the constrictive sensation prominent and dyspnea prolonged, it relieves such conditions as continuous asthmatic breathing.
Therapy. Adonis is indicated in chronic weak heart where the venous circulation is engorged, and where there is a tendency to varicosed ulcers. In functional heart disorders with weakness, the agent is contraindicated.
Action. Fresh adonis is irritant and vesicant. Upon the circulation it acts much like digitalis, but is prompter in action and not cumulative. It is an energetic agent and capable of poisoning. Adonis slows, regulates, and strengthens the heart's contractions, raises blood pressure, and thereby acts as a diuretic. It also causes deeper and slower breathing, and in proper cases overcomes dyspnea. Large doses paralyze the heart and blood vessels.
Drawn from King's American Dispensatory, 18th edition (Felter and Lloyd); Ellingwood's American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy; Felter's Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and the Bountiful Herbs editorial.
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