(Non-official.)

Origin. - The root of Petroselinum sativum (Hoffmann), Apium Petroselinum-L., a plant indigenous in Southern Europe, and much cultivated for culinary purposes.

Description and Properties. - The root is tapering, from 4 to 8 inches (10-20 Cm.) long, about 1/2 inch (12 Mm.) thick; externally yellowish or light brown; odor aromatic; taste sweetish and aromatic.

It contains a votatile oil and apiol, the chief constituent.

Dose. - 30-60 grains (2.0-4.0 Gm.).

Unofficial Preparation

Apiolum - Apioli - Apiol (Non-official).- Origin. - A camphor obtained from the fruit of Petroselinum sativum Hoffmann.

Description and Properties. - White needles, of a feeble, parsley odor. Insoluble in water, but freely soluble in alcohol and in ether.

Dose. - 10-15 grains (0.6-1.0 Gm.).

Physiological Action and Therapeutics. - The root is carminative, laxative, and diuretic. Apiol is an active emmenagogue. Given in excessive doses it occasions severe frontal headache, dizziness, and ringing in the ears. It causes a rapid rise of blood-pressure, due to increased cardiac action and stimulation of the vasomotor centers.

Apiol, or Chapoteaut's apioline, is usually prescribed, and is an efficient remedy in amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea. As an emmenagogue in cases of scanty or deficient menstruation apioline is very effective.

Hedeoma - Hedeomae - Hedeoma. U. S. P.

(Pennyroyal.)

Origin. - The dried leaves and flowering tops of Hedeoma pukgioides (L.) Per--soon, an annual herb indigenous in North America.

Description and Properties. - Leaves opposite, short-petioled, about 1/2 inch (12 Mm.) long, oblong-ovate, obscurely serrate, glandular beneath; branches roundish-quadrangular, hairy; flowers in small, axillary cymules, with a tubular-ovoid, bilabiate, and five-toothed calyx, and a pale-blue, spotted, bilabiate corolla, containing two sterile and two fertile exserted stamens; odor strong, mint-like; taste warm and pungent. Its virtues depend upon a volatile oil.

Dose. - 15-60 grains (1.0-4.0 Gm.), in infusion [120 grains (8 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Official Preparation

Oleum Hedeomae - Olei Hedeomae - Oil of Hedeoma (Oil of Pennyroyal). - Origin. - A volatile oil distilled from the leaves and flowering tops of Hedeoma.

Description and Properties. - A pale-yellowish, limpid liquid, having a characteristic, pungent, mint-like odor and taste. It should be kept in well-stoppered bottles, in a cool place, protected from light.

Dose. - 2-10 minims (0.1-0.6 Cc.) [3 minims (0.2 Cc.), U. S. P.].

Physiological Action and Therapeutics. - Hedeoma is aromatic, stimulant, carminative, and emmenagogue, while the oil is rubefacient if rubbed into the skin.

The herb is given in the form of a hot infusion to bring on retarded or suspended menstruation and for the relief of flatulent colic, pharyngitis, bronchitis, etc., as well as to dissipate congestions of various parts.

The oil of hedeoma is an active emmenagogue, and is used to increase the rubefacient effect of various embrocations.