This section is from the book "Materia Medica Pharmacy, Pharmacology And Therapeutics", by W. Hale White. Also available from Amazon: Materia Medica Pharmacy, Pharmacology And Therapeutics..
Cypripedium. - Synonym. - Ladies' Slipper. The rhizome and roots of Cypripedium pubescens Swartz, and of Cypripedium parviflorum Salisbury (nat. ord. Orchideae).
North America; in swampy places.
Of horizontal growth, bent, 10 cm., or less, long; from 3 to 5 mm. thick; on the upper side beset with numerous circular, cup-shaped scars; closely covered below with simple, wiry roots, varying from 10 to 15 cm. in length; brittle, dark brown, or orange-brown; fracture short, white; odor peculiar, heavy; taste sweetish, bitter and somewhat pungent.
It contains - (1) A volatile oil. (2) A volatile acid. (3) Two resins. (4) Tannic acid.
Dose, 15 to 30 gr.; 1. to 2. gm.
By maceration and percolation with Diluted Alcohol, and evaporation.
Dose, 15 to 30 m; 1. to 2. c.c.
Cypripedium is a gentle, nervous stimulant, resembling valerian in its action. It has been used for nervous diseases, epilepsy, hypochondriasis and neuralgia.
 
Continue to: