American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

In diseases of the respiratory apparatus lycopus has been found to be very
useful. Hemoptysis, associated with rapid and tumultuous heart's action,
yields readily to its influence, as does hemorrhage from any part. Hale
lauds lycopus highly for its efficiency when used in cases of incipient
phthisis and in chronic inflammatory diseases of the lungs. By
regulating the heart's action and equalizing the circulation in the lungs
it mitigates or arrests the local inflammation.
Chronic irritable cough, arising from the smouldering inflammation in
the lungs, can be cured by its administration. It has been used
repeatedly in the high temperature of typhoid fever with uniformly good
results; it not only effectually reduced the excessive heat, but in so
doing, it did not depress in the least the vital forces of the patient.
To a certain extent it acts on the heart as a nerve sedative by lessening
its action, also by constringing the blood vessels; hence, diminishing the
flow of blood. We have in this valuable remedy much that is expected of
aconite or veratrum, antipyrin, antifebrin, as an agent to reduce the heat
in high temperature without many of their baleful effects. A dose of from
one to five drops may be given every two to four hours. It is not necessary
to give it regularly-only as indicated.
It is also good in hepatitis, if complicated with pneumonitis, in two-drop
doses, once every three hours. In hematuria, if associated with calculi or
catarrh of the bladder, lycopus is of benefit alternated with chimaphila
umbellata.
Dr. Halbert and others combine lycopus with chionanthus and perhaps
belladonna in the treatment of diabetes.
They claim that it influences patients that are naturally fleshy, previously
very heavy, and who lose their excess of weight by this disease.
It is decidedly beneficial in the treatment of diabetes, curing a few cases
after all other remedies have failed. It has proven beneficial in chronic
diarrhea and dysentery, inflammatory disease of drunkards and in
intermittents. It promotes digestion, invigorates the appetite, allays
gastric and enteric irritability.
Dr. Langford says that lycopus will benefit more gastric difficulties than
any other remedy that he has ever used, but does not specify the most
particular indications that would suggest it.
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 290