Western Herbalism
Pitcher Plant
Sarracenia purpurea
Also known as Purple Pitcher Plant, Sarracenia, Sidesaddle Plant, Fly Trap, Water Cup, Side-saddle plant, flower, Huntsman's cup.
Traditional use by Cree and other Native American groups for diabetes symptoms, smallpox, digestive issues Sarapin root extract used as injectable analgesic leaf extracts show antidiabetic cytoprotection in vitro limited clinical data no modern pharmacopoeia monograph found ]
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Indications what the tradition reached for it in
- Slow-healing infections
- Measles
- Childbirth aid
- Kidney complaints
- Smallpox
- Small pox pustules
- Whooping cough
- Scarlet fever
- Post-childbirth sickness
- Constipation
- Zymotic fevers
- Diabetes symptoms
- Dyspepsia
- Chills
- Liver complaints
- Urinary tract disorder
- Fluid retention
- Amenorrhea
- Back pain
- Fever
- Clarke
- Debility
- Edema
- Fatigue
- Pain
- Urinary disorders
- Viral infections
- Weakness
- Cough
- Digestive complaints
Safety
Pregnancy: Pregnancy Caution
Breastfeeding: Lactation (source flag notSafeInLactation)
The record lists 2 contraindications; open the plate in the library to read them in full.
Dosing as the sources wrote it
| Preparation | As written | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Specific fluid extract: 2-20 drops | 0.04-0.4 mL | |
| Tincture: 1 dram | 3888-3888 mg | |
| Specific Sarracenia | Dose, from two to twenty drops. | 0.04-0.4 mL |
| Tincture Sarracenia | Dose, one dram. | 3888-3888 mg |
| The best mode of employing it is not well determined; though the powder may be given in doses of from 20 to 30 grains, 3 or 4 times a day; and the infusion or syrup, from 1 to 3 fluid ounces. | 1296-1944 mg | |
| Scudder suggests a strong tincture of the fresh root (℥viij to alcohol, 76 per cent, Oj) in doses of 1 to 20 drops. | 0.02-0.4 mL |
Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.
From the sources
Clinical Notes. Traditional use by Cree and other Native American groups for diabetes symptoms, smallpox, digestive issues Sarapin root extract used as injectable analgesic leaf extracts show antidiabetic cytoprotection in vitro limited clinical data no modern pharmacopoeia monograph found ]
Therapy. As a remedy in the treatment of zymotic disease this agent has been used with good results. It is given freely during the course of scarlet fever, measles and small-pox, and it is claimed that in every case it modifies the character of these diseases, shortens their course, and prevents sequelae. It has, as yet, no established place in therapeutics.
Physiological Action. The agent is laxative, stimulating the action of the intestinal glands and the liver and overcoming torpidity. It stimulates the kidneys, inducing an abundant flow of limpid urine. It is an active eliminating agent, exercising a special influence upon the glands of the skin.
Specific indications and reasoning. :235 been employed for very different purposes. It evidently exerts a direct influence upon the nervous system, relieving irritation, and this probably extends to the sympathetic. It would be well to give it a trial in those cases in which there is enfeebled function with nervous irritability.
Drawn from Scudder's Specific Medication and Specific Medicines; King's American Dispensatory, 18th edition (Felter and Lloyd); Ellingwood's American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, and the Bountiful Herbs editorial.
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