Sentry Page Protection

Hippoglossum, Horsetongue

Double-tongue, Tongue Blade, Tongue upon Tongue
Bilingua (Latin)
J. Barrellier, Plantae per Galliam, Hispaniam et Italiam observatae, (1714)

Lesser Horsetongue
Salmon, Botanologia, 1710

J. Sibthrop, J.E. Smith, Flora Graeca, vol. 10 (1840)

Botanical name:
Ruscus hippoglossum
Greater and Lesser varieties were known

Parts used:
Whole Herb; Root

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry.

Classifications:
Åperitive, Hysteric, Emmenagogue, Traumatic (Vulnerary)

Constituents:
Steroidal Saponins

Uses:
1. Moves the Blood, Promotes Menstruation:
-Suffocation of the Womb, Vapors, Hysteria, PMS
-Amenorrhea
-Promotes Labor, clears Afterbirth
-Postpartum Pain; continually taken after Childbirth to cleanse and restore tone to the Womb.

2. Moves the Blood, Clears Stasis:
-Headache
-also for 'Imperfect Speech' (decoction in wine)
-Paralysis (various preparations including oily tincture)
-Chronic, Foul and Spreading Ulcers anywhere in the body
-also for Hernia

3. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine:
-Strangury, suppressed or painful urination, dribbling urine
-Gravel, Stones
-the oily tincture (infused in oil) was commended for strangury, Gravel and Stones (Salmon)

4. Externally:
-as a gargle (leaves and roots) for sore and swollen mouth and throat, and swollen glands under the tongue
-Running and Spreading Sores and Ulcers
-was used as an amulet against Headache (Dioscorides)


DOSE:
Of the Powder: 2–5 grams
When used to induce or promote Labor, 1 dram (3 grams) can be given in wine every 2 hours until 3 or 4 drams have been given.
Of the Tincture: 1–2 drams
Of the Juice: 2–3 spoonfuls in wine
Acid Tincture: enough added to water give a pleasant acidity.
Oily Tincture: 10–30 drops on sugar

Main Combinations:
1. Hernia, powders of Cattail Pollen, Betony, Gladioli root, Horsetongue leaves, 1 dram mixed with Egg Yolk and eaten daily for 30 days (Gerard)

Major Formulas:


Cautions:
Not used during Pregnancy

Main Preparations used: