Tragacanth

Properties and Uses. The strained mucilage is occasionally used as a vehicle for exhibiting very active and dense powders. Its most common employment is as a basis for medicated troches and lozenges, for which its density well adapts it. Druggists generally use it as their label paste; for which purpose four drachms may be macerated in a pint of cold water, and more water added as required.

Action and Medical Uses. This has been applied locally to burns, scalds, ulcers, etc., for its protective purposes. It is employed as an excipient where a slowly dissolving preparation is desired, as in troches, and in laxatives and nonirritating mixtures. It is also used as a pill excipient.

Description. Natural Order, Leguminosae. A small shrub, native to Asia Minor, Armenia, and Northern Persia. Branches covered with imbricate scales and spines; leaves of eight to ten pairs of linear pinnae; flowers in axillary clusters of two to five, yellow, sessile, small; legume two-celled, dorsal suture turning inward.

Related Preparation. PULVIS ACACIAE COMPOSITUS (N. F.), Compound powder of acacia, Pulvis gummosus (Ger. Pharm.). "Acacia, in fine powder, fifty grammes (50 Gm.) [1 oz. av., 334 grs.]; glycyrrhiza, in fine powder, thirty-four grammes (34 Gm.) 11 oz. av., 87 grs.]; sugar, in fine powder, sixteen grammes (16 Gm.) 1247 grs.]. Mix them intimately" ... (Nat. Form).