Juglans Cinerea. (Butternut.)

Botanical name: 

Preparation.—Prepare a tincture from the fresh inner bark, in the proportion of ℥viij. to Alcohol 76° Oj. Dose from a fraction of a drop to five drops.

In minute doses, the Juglans exerts a marked influence upon the skin, and may be employed in either acute or chronic skin disease. Its influence in this direction requires study.

It also allays irritation of mucous membranes, and promotes their normal function. In some cases of intestinal dyspepsia, it will be found to give much better results than the bitter tonics.

A valuable laxative may be formed by making a watery extract of the Juglans, adding some aromatic to render it pleasant. I have a distinct recollection of the use of Butternut extract in the olden time to cure ague. It was given in large doses, and the catharsis would last for days, its influence being so constant and powerful that the patient would not have inclination or time to shake. In small doses, it leaves the bowels in a soluble condition, and is one of the few cathartics that may be employed to overcome obstinate constipation.


Specific Medication and Specific Medicines, 1870, was written by John M. Scudder, M.D.