American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

Cactus exercises a direct influence over the sympathetic nervous system,
regulating its action, restoring, normal action, whatever the perversion. It
acts directly upon the cardiac plexus, regulating the functual activity of
the heart.
Investigations have proven that it increases the contractile power and
energy of the heart muscle, through the intercardiac ganglia and
accelerator nerves. It certainly improves the nutrition of the heart, as we
have noticed the entire removal of progressive valvular murmurs after its
continued use.
Specific Symptomatology—An irregular pulse, feebleness of the heart's
action, dyspnea, weight, oppression in the chest, violence of the heart's
action, depending upon atonicity or enervation, and a sensation of a
constriction or band around the heart or around the chest, are the direct
indications for its use in heart troubles.
Therapy—This agent is prescribed where the heart muscle is enfeebled,
where there is progressive valvular inefficiency, with irregular or
intermittent pulse. It is valuable in mitral or aortic regurgitation from
whatever cause.
It is an exceedingly useful agent in functional irregularity of the heart,
however evidenced, if due to gastric irritation, as the agent in doses of
from one to three minims, soothes gastric irritability and imparts tone
and improved function, in wide contrast to digitalis, which irritates the
stomach.
The action of cactus with nux vomica and hydrastis in the treatment of
functional palpitation, depending upon an atonic condition of the
stomach, must be emphasized. If extreme acidity be present, they may be
combined with an alkaline agent or with neutralizing cordial (glyconda).
A number of our physicians recognize this influence, and my own
experience confirms its value.
Those who have used all the heart remedies unite in the belief that for
breadth of action, for specific directness, for reliability and smoothness
and general trustworthiness, cactus takes preference over all the rest. Its
influence is admirable where indicated and it is invaluable in many
cases. Other remedies in some cases will do as much in single lines, but
none will do more, and none will exercise all of its desirable influences.
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 394