American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

It has been used in the treatment of some forms of skin disease. There is
room for investigation concerning its action.
PULSATILLA. Anemone pulsatilla.
Synonyms—Pasque-flower; meadow-anemone; wind flower.
PREPARATIONS—
Extractum Pulsatillae Fluidum, Fluid Extract of Pulsatilla. Dose,
from one-half to two minims. Precipitates upon addition to water.
Extractum Pulsatillae, Extract of Pulsatilla. Dose, one-sixth of a
grain.
Tinctura Pulsatillae, Tincture of Pulsatilla. Dose, from five to thirty
minims.
Specific Pulsatillae, Specific Pulsatilla. Dose, from five to twenty
drops in four ounces of water. Teaspoonful every two hours.
Anemonin. A crystallizable camphoraceous body; volatile, easily
converted in the presence of alkalies into anemonic acid. Dose, from
one-twentieth to one-fourth of a grain.
The medicinal properties must be extracted from the fresh herb, as the
volatile character of anemonin permits of the rapid dissipation of these
properties on drying.
Physiological Action—The agent has a direct influence upon the brain
and spinal cord. In toxic doses it produces mental hebetude, dilated
pupils, coma, and in extreme cases, convulsions. It lessens general
sensibility.
It paralyzes to a mild degree both, sensation and motion. It increases, in
proper doses, the cerebral functions and imparts tone to the sympathetic
system.
In toxic doses it is a heart depressant; it lowers arterial tension, reduces
the pulse rate and temperature.
It exercises an influence upon the heart similar to that of cactus,
increasing its power, improving the strength and rate of the pulse and
slowing the rapid and feeble pulse of nervous prostration.
The influence of full doses of pulsatilla, taken into the stomach and
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 29