Sabadilla

Sabadilla, Sabadilla officinarum Brandt., Schoenocaulon officinale Asa Gray, a perennial bulbous plant of the lily family, growing wild in Mexico and Venezuela, with narrow, long, linear leaves and a flowering stem reaching 1-2 meters in height. The fruit is a 3-celled, many-seeded, splitting capsule. In medicine, the seeds of S. ('louse seed') are used, of an oblong-lanceolate shape, yellow-brown in color, 5-9 mm in length and up to 2 mm in diameter. The seed contains over 5% alkaloids, of which the main active principle is considered to be crystalline verat-rip (see) or cevadine, then sabadine, sabadinine, sabatrine, crystalline veratric acid, and fatty oil. An alcoholic tincture of the seeds turns greenish with sulfuric acid, which changes to carmine-red upon heating. The seed, known in Europe since 1571, was introduced in the 18th century by Capuchin monks (Capuchin powder) against lice. It is used in the form of a decoction, so-called louse water, vinegar (Acetum. SSabadillae) (composition-10 parts of crushed seeds, 10 parts of 90% alcohol, 18 parts of 30% vinegar, and 72 parts of water), tincture (10% in alcohol) and ointment (20% from finely powdered seeds and vaseline). Sabadilla seeds and preparations from them are stored with caution and dispensed exclusively on prescription. Picture of sabadilla poisoning and antidote-see Veratrin.