Western Herbalism
Polygala
Polygala senega
Also known as Rattlesnake Root, Senega Root, Senega Snakeroot, Snake Root, Senega, Seneca snake-root, Seneca Snakeroot, Seneka Root.
Senega has an acrid taste and leaves a disagreeable sensation when swallowed. In ordinary doses it is sialagogue, stimulant, diuretic, expectorant, and is reputed emmenagogue. It may be used in subacute forms of cough as is found in chronic bronchitis with profuse secretion. It is contraindicated in active febrile conditions. Dropsy of renal origin has been benefited by it, but it is of no value when due to cardiac lesions. It is little used, and then chiefly in syrups containing other medicaments. It is an ingredient of the once celebrated Coxe’s Hive Syrup, a vicious preparation now represented by compound syrup of squill, and containing also squill and tartar emetic.
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Indications what the tradition reached for it in
- Bronchitic asthma
- Chronic bronchitis
- Pharyngitis
- Specifically for chronic bronchitis
Safety
The record lists 7 contraindications; open the plate in the library to read them in full.
Dosing as the sources wrote it
| Preparation | As written | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Dried root 0.5-1.0 g as an infusion three times daily | 500-1000 mg | |
| (G6, G7) Senega Liquid Extract (BPC 1968) 0.3 -1.0 mL | 0.3-1 mL | |
| Senega Tincture (BPC 1968) 2.5 -5.0 mL. | 2.5-5 mL | |
| Dose of the powder, from five to ten grains every three or four hours | 324-648 mg | |
| Dose, one to two fluid drachms | 3.7-7.39 mL | |
| Extractum Senegae Fluidum, Fluid Extract of Senega | Dose, from ten to twenty minims. | 0.62-1.23 mL |
Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.
From the sources
Action and Therapy. Senega has an acrid taste and leaves a disagreeable sensation when swallowed. In ordinary doses it is sialagogue, stimulant, diuretic, expectorant, and is reputed emmenagogue. It may be used in subacute forms of cough as is found in chronic bronchitis with profuse secretion. It is contraindicated in active febrile conditions. Dropsy of renal origin has been benefited by it, but it is of no value when due to cardiac lesions. It is little used, and then chiefly in syrups containing other medicaments. It is an ingredient of the once celebrated Coxe’s Hive Syrup, a vicious preparation now represented by compound syrup of squill, and containing also squill and tartar emetic.
Therapy. The agent is in use in the treatment of dropsy from obstruction and glandular enlargement, also in rheumatism, syphilis, squamous skin diseases and in amenorrhea. In inflammation of the eyelids, and iritis it is beneficial.
Properties and Uses. Senega root is a distinct and persistent stimulant, chiefly influencing the respiratory membranes, but extending its influence to other mucous membranes, to all the secretory organs, the uterus, and the circulation.
Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage. This forms a stimulating expectorant, which is often very useful in affections of the chest, etc. It is frequently combined with syrup of squill, tincture of lobelia, syrup of sanguinaria, etc. Its dose is 1 or 2 fluid drachms.
Drawn from Cook's Physio-Medical Dispensatory; 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.
Often paired with
IpecacCarapichea ipecacuanha
SquillDrimia maritima
Wild cherryPrunus serotina
Irish MossChondrus crispus
Opium poppyPapaver somniferum
Black cohoshActaea racemosaNearby on the shelf
Pointed gourdTrichosanthes dioica
Poison HemlockConium maculatum
Poke rootPhytolacca americana
PoleoHedeoma oblongifolia
Polygala rootPolygala tenuifolia
PolymniaPolymnia uvedalia
PomegranatePunica granatum
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