American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

If Kalmia would relieve other cases of syphilis as it did this one, we may
safely say that we have no other alterative in our materia medica equal to
it. It has not been extensively used, but it is without doubt beneficial in
glandular disorders, scrofula, and in mild cases of secondary syphilis.
Kalmia exercises a sedative influence over the heart, controls the pulse
beat without depression. It is markedly alterative but must not be pushed
because of this slowing influence. Homeopathists give it in cardiac
hypertrophy, and for painful rheumatic affections, for facial neuralgia, for
tobacco heart, and it will probably act well in rheumatic endocarditis.
It will be found of service in inflammatory diseases, also in hypertrophy
of the heart with palpitation, diarrhea and dysentery, rheumatism,
chronic inflammations, with atonicity, neuralgia, active hemorrhages,
threatened abortion from syphilitic taint, active menorrhagia, pain in the
limbs and back during menstruation, jaundice, and also in scleritis, with
pain in turning the eyes, and in ophthalmia.
LEONURUS. Leonurus cardiaca.
Synonym—Motherwort.
CONSTITUENTS—
Bitter principle, volatile oil.
PREPARATIONS—
Extractum Leonuri Fluidum, Fluid Extract of Leonurus. Dose, from
a half to two drams.
Specific Symptomatology—This agent is positive in suppressed lochia
from any cause, amenorrhea from cold; dysmenorrhea, with morbid
nervous excitability, and hysteria.
Prof. John King regarded motherwort as superior to all other remedies in
suppression of the lochia, giving it internally and applying a fomentation
of the herb over the lower abdominal region. The author has used it with
excellent results.
Therapy—It is prescribed in the above conditions, also in delirium tremens,
typhoid state in fevers, chronic diseases with wakefulness,
restlessness, disturbed sleep, spinal irritation, neuralgia of the stomach
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 272