American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

Externally the bruised herb has been applied to bruised and strained
parts, to rheumatic joints, and where there was ecchymosis or
extravasations within or beneath the skin.
Dr. Heinen of Toledo treats non-malignant abdominal tumors in women
with better results by adding five drops of capsella three times a day to the
other indicated treatment.
CAPSICUM Capsicum frutescens
Synonym—Cayenne pepper.
CONSTITUENTS—
Capsiacin, Capsicin, volatile oil, resin and fixed oil.
PREPARATIONS—
Extractum Capsici Fluidum, Fluid Extract of Capsicum. Dose, from
five to sixty minims.
Oleoresina Capsici, Oleoresin of Capsicum. Dose, from one to five
minims.
Emplastrum Capsici, Capsicum plaster.
Tinctura Capsici, Tincture of Capsicum. Dose, ten to sixty minims.
Physiological Action—Capsicum is a pure stimulant, both local and
general. In large doses it causes vomiting, purging and inflammation of
the stomach and bowels, with dizziness, intoxication and feebleness of
the nervous power. Locally applied, it is a powerful rubefacient. It
produces rapid capillary determination of the blood to the part, and if
taken into the stomach it promotes its own absorption and thus
continues its further influence through the nerve centers. Belonging as
it does to the solanaceae, its influence upon the nerve centers, although
insidious and not in all its field of exercise readily distinguishable, is
nevertheless active and most important, demanding its classification
among the diffusible cerebral stimulants. It produces an increase of tone
and a marked and comfortable sensation of warmth in the entire system,
and a glow and sensation of increased nerve influence and more active
circulation.
The general or systemic influence is better obtained from the tincture or
from the hot infusion, while local stomach or intestinal effects follow
promptly upon the administration of the powder.
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 93