American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

It causes a sensation of acridity in the throat when a moderate dose is
swallowed, and may be employed in chronic pharyngitis, as a local
stimulant, where the mucous membrane is relaxed and the secretion
abundant.
Specific Symptomatology—The agent is indicated in typhoid
pneumonitis, capillary bronchitis, in aged and debilitated subjects,
chronic bronchitis with profuse secretion, in the declining stages of
pneumonitis, bronchitis and croup, when the inflammatory condition has
passed off, chronic bronchitis with pain and soreness in the chest and
asthma.
Therapy—The agent is in use in the treatment of dropsy from obstruction
and glandular enlargement, also in rheumatism, syphilis, squamous
skin diseases and in amenorrhea. In inflammation of the eyelids, and
iritis it is beneficial.
Senega has been employed as a stimulating expectorant in chronic
bronchitis, in aged and debilitated subjects, where a stimulating
medicine is demanded and in the later stages of pneumonia and
catarrhal inflammations.
In these cases, given in small doses, it improves secretion, removes
abnormal deposits and restores the strength.
It is an energetic stimulant to the mucous membranes of the air passages:
and, when given before the inflammation has subsided, aggravates the
cough and does harm. Given in small doses, it also acts as an alterative,
and may thus be given in dropsy from obstruction, in syphilis, and in
squamous skin diseases.
In the treatment of chronic asthma this is an efficient remedy.
POLYGONUM. Polygonum punctatum
Synonym—Smart-weed.
CONSTITUENTS—Not analyzed.
PREPARATIONS—
Specific Polygonum. Dose, from one to sixty minims.
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 358