Extractum Taraxaci

Lond. Extractum Herbae et Radicis Taraxaci, Dub. Extract of Dandelion.

"Take of fresh dandelion root, bruised, fifteen ounces; boiling distilled water, a gallon. Macerate for twenty-four hours; then boil down to four pints; strain the hot liquor, and evaporate it to a proper consistence.

Syn. Lowenzahn-extrakt (G.), Estratto di Tarassaco (I.).

The medicinal powers of dandelion have been already noticed. (See Part ii.) The extract should be made by pressing the proper juice from the recent roots taken up in autumn, and inspissating it rapidly in dry air. The extract is then of a brown-yellow colour, of an agreeable odour, and has a bitter acidulous taste. Dr. Pemberton affirms, that he has seen great advantage result from the use of this extract in doses of 3ss. in chronic inflammation and incipient scirrhus of the liver, and in chronic derangement of the stomach.1 The usual dose is from grs. x. to 3j. united with sulphate of potassa.

1 On Diseases of the Abdominal Viscera, p. 43.

Extractum Uvae Ursi. Lond. Extract of Bear's Whortleberry

It is prepared in the same manner as the extract of gentian.

This extract is a useful form of administering Uva Ursi in affections of the bladder and kidneys, with phosphatic deposits. It may be combined with narcotics. The dose is grs. vj. to 3ss.