Extractum Rhamni Purshianae Fluidum Aromaticum (N. F.)—Aromatic Fluid Extract of Rhamnus Purshiana.

Related entries: Rhamnus Purshiana (U. S. P.)—Cascara Sagrada - Extract of Cascara Sagrada

SYNONYM: Aromatic fluid extract of cascara sagrada.

Preparation.Formulary number, 173: "Rhamnus purshiana, in No. 60 powder, one thousand grammes (1000 Gm.) [2 lbs. av., 3 ozs., 120 grs.]; glycyrrhiza, in No. 40 powder, one hundred grammes (100 Gm.) [3 ozs. av., 231 grs.]; calcined magnesia, one hundred and twenty-five grammes (125 Gm.) [4 ozs. av., 179 grs.]; glycerin, two hundred and fifty cubic centimeters (250 Cc.) [8 fl℥, 218♏︎]; compound spirit of orange (U. S. P), ten cubic centimeters (10 Cc.) [162♏︎]; alcohol, five hundred cubic centimeters (500 Cc.) [16 fl℥, 435♏︎]; water, diluted alcohol, (U. S. P.), each, a sufficient quantity to make one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏︎]. Mix the powdered drugs and the magnesia with two thousand cubic centimeters (2000 Cc.) [67 fl℥, 301♏︎] of water, macerate for 12 hours and then dry the mixture on a water-bath at a gentle heat. Mix the glycerin and the alcohol with two hundred and fifty cubic centimeters (250 Cc) [8 fl℥, 218♏︎] of water, and percolate the dried powders with this menstruum, followed by diluted alcohol, according to the directions given under Process B (see F. 135). Reserve the first eight hundred and fifty cubic centimeters (850 Cc.) [28 fl℥, 356♏︎] that pass, and set this aside. Continue the percolation with diluted alcohol to practical exhaustion, evaporate this second portion to a soft extract, dissolve it in the reserved portion, and add the compound spirit of orange and sufficient diluted alcohol to make one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏︎] of fluid extract"—(Nat. Form.).

Medical Uses and Dosage.—An agreeable aromatic laxative. Dose, 10 to 45 minims.

Under the name of Cascara Cordial, Parke, Davis & Co. have long made a palatable preparation of cascara, which enjoys the confidence of those who use it. Kasagra, or Cascara Aromatica, is a liquid preparation of cascara sagrada, used extensively by physicians, made by Frederick Stearns & Co., of Detroit. Both these preparations are very pleasant to the taste, being destitute of all bitterness.


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