Whistle wood

Persistent dry, irritative cough with a sense of relaxed, atonic bronchial tissue

Nausea or vomiting associated with gastric irritability, as an adjunct to more specific antiemetic measures

Overview. Acer striatum, better known today as Acer pensylvanicum, the striped maple or moosewood, is a small understory tree native to eastern North American woodlands, recognizable by its smooth bark marked with pale green and dark vertical stripes. The inner bark was the part used in nineteenth century American physiomedical and eclectic practice. Its place in that tradition is modest: a mild, cooling, astringent and demulcent agent used mostly in domestic and folk remedies for coughs, bowel complaints, and as a general restorative, rather than a headline botanical of the physiomedical materia medica.

Clinical Notes. Within the physiomedical framework, where remedies are classed by their effect on tissue tone, the inner bark of striped maple was regarded as a relaxant and mildly astringent agent, suited to states of irritated, atonic mucous membrane rather than acute inflammatory heat.

Properties and Uses. The leaves of this tree are demulcent and relaxant, and were popular among our earlier settlers as a poultice in swelled breasts. They deserve the good opinion once held toward them by the people, and should receive the attention of the physician in mammary, scrofulous, and other swellings requiring a demulcent and mildly relaxing application.

Properties and Uses. Vinegar promotes the secretions of the kidneys and respiratory mucous membranes, but diminishes that of the skin. Added to sweetened water, it forms a pleasant drink in febrile and inflammatory cases where the condition of the stomach does not contraindicate a vegetable acid.