Extractum Castaneae Fluidum (U. S. P.)—Fluid Extract of Castanea.

Related entry: Castanea (U. S. P.)—Castanea

SYNONYM: Fluid extract of chestnut leaves.

Preparation.—"Castanea, in No. 30 powder, one thousand grammes (1000 Gm.) [2 lbs. av., 3 ozs., 120 grs.]; glycerin, one hundred cubic centimeters (100 Cc.) [3 fl℥, 183♏]; alcohol, water, each, a sufficient quantity to make one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏]. Pour five thousand cubic centimeters (5000 Cc.) [10 0, 9 fl℥, 33♏] of boiling water upon the powder, allow it to macerate for 2 hours, then express the liquid, transfer the residue to a percolator, and pour water upon it until the powder is exhausted. Evaporate the united liquids, on a water-bath, to two thousand cubic centimeters (2000 Cc.) [67 fl℥, 301♏], allow this to cool, and add six hundred cubic centimeters (600 Cc.) [20 fl℥, 138♏] of alcohol. When the insoluble matter has subsided, separate the clear liquid, filter the remainder, evaporate the united liquids to seven hundred cubic centimeters (700 Cc.) [23 fl℥, 321♏], allow this to cool, add the glycerin and enough alcohol to make the fluid extract measure one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏]"—(U. S. P.).

Description, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—(See Castanea). This fluid extract is powerfully, but agreeably astringent in taste, and has a red-brown color. The boiling water readily extracts the active virtues of the leaves, and the extract is finally preserved by the addition of alcohol and 1/10 part of glycerin. In our opinion the infusion of the leaves, made fresh, is superior to this or any other pharmaceutical preparation of chestnut leaves. Dose, ½ to 2 fluid drachms.


King's American Dispensatory, 1898, was written by Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D.