Gelsemium

GELSEMIUM, Gelsemium sempervirens Pers. (family Loganiaceae), grows in America, from Virginia to Texas and Florida. In medicine, the rhizome, Rhizoma Gelsemii (of almost cylindrical form) and the branched roots (Radix Gelsemii) are used, which are very hard, 1.5-3.0 cm thick, externally yellowish-brown in color with purple-brown stripes, of bitter taste and a 'narcotic' odor. The rhizome contains the alkaloids gelsemine (0.25%) and gelseminin. It is used for neuralgias, toothache, asthma, pleuritis, etc., in the form of a decoction, liquid extract and tincture (1:10); the latter is taken internally in doses of 0.25-1.0; larger doses cause dizziness, dilation of the pupils, relaxation of muscles and symptoms of suffocation. Gelsemine, Gelseminum, - small colorless crystals melting at 178°, or a white amorphous powder of bitter taste, alkaline reaction, sparingly soluble in water, of very varying composition according to different authors; the action of gelsemine in experiments on frogs resembles strychnine and curarine (Cushny). It has no great therapeutic value; it is used as an antineuralgic and antispasmodic in doses of 0.0005-0.002. Highly poisonous. Gelseminin, Gelsemininum, - white crystals melting at 160°, almost insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol, ether and diluted acids. It causes weakness in muscles, paralysis of the central nervous system, weakening and cessation of respiration, dilation of the pupils, and weakening of vision. It has no therapeutic application.