American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

different influences. Its continued use among the latter is most serious,
inducing habits more degrading and pernicious than the use of opium
and alcohol, and as fatal to mental and physical integrity.
The effects attributed to the drug are only what might be expected from
the action of so powerful an alkaloid as is contained in the coca leaves.
Therapy—There are few cases of neurasthenia in which this agent will not
be found useful. Taken after dinner, it serves often to facilitate digestion,
and even confirmed dyspeptics find their distressing symptoms relieved
by it. It is of especial value in cases where exhausting mental labor has
led to morbid depression of spirits. It is valuable in all cases of
despondency. It relieves the nervous irritability that follows overindulgence
of any kind, restoring the capacity for work and renewing the
energy.
It acts to an extent as an antidote to the effect of opium, alcohol, tobacco
or coffee, and judiciously used is said to enable one to overcome the
morbid craving for any of these stimulants when they have been used to
excess.
It is used by public speakers and singers, who have found themselves in
better voice after using it.
As a remedy for nausea and vomiting from reflex causes, particularly in
the vomiting of pregnancy, the cordial proves extremely efficacious. For
this purpose it should be taken a few moments before meals, and the dose
repeated in an hour or so afterwards. Gastralgia is frequently relieved by
this remedy, and nervous headaches often disappear under its use.
It is of service also in cases of asthma. It is an aphrodisiac and
emmenagogue. It is an antiperiodic. Internally and locally it has been
used for hemorrhoids. As a restorative in feeble heart it is of much value.
JAMBUL. Syzygium jambolanum.
Synonyms—Eugenia Jambolana, Java Plum, Jamboo.
PREPARATIONS—
Jambul seeds in powdered form. Dose, three to ten grains, two or
three times a day.
Fluid extract jambul seed, miscible with water. Dose, five to ten
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 207