Liatris Spicata

• ▸Liatris is an old botanic remedy for indigestion and colic.
• ▸As T.
• ▸C.
• ▸Duncan

• ▸explains (17.
• ▸R.
• ▸, xiii.
• ▸110), it is called "Devil's bit,"—a piece is missing from each tuber, just as if

it had been bitten out. It has the reputation of being aromatic, stimulant, diaphoretic, diuretic,

anodyne, and carminative; particularly useful in colic, headache, and flatulency. It was

• ▸introduced to homeeopathic medicine (H.
• ▸R.
• ▸, xiii.
• ▸35) because of its action in two cases of dropsy

under eclectic treatment: (/) Dropsy from material enlargement of liver and spleen. (2) Dropsy

with almost total suppression of urine. After other remedies had failed Liatris was given, and on

• ▸the second day the patient passed a gallon and a half of urine.
• ▸A.
• ▸E.
• ▸White wrote in Minneap.

• ▸Hom.
• ▸Mag.
• ▸(date not noted) of another use of Liatris.
• ▸It has a popular repute as specific in

chronic diarrhoea following exposure in camp life; and also as an application to non-granulating

ulcers. For this purpose the root is to be chewed and then applied. White was invited to chew a

piece, which he did. The result was, in six or eight hours he had three successive calls to stool,

very urgent, a little griping in lower back, and some straining at stool. He has confirmed its use

• ▸in camp diarrhcea, but says it acts better if Su/.
• ▸or Merc.
• ▸cor.
• ▸is given first.
• ▸He gives this case.
• ▸Mr.

X, 56, had chronic diarrhoea since the war. Had tried treatment of all kinds, homceopathic

• ▸included.
• ▸Had twelve to sixteen stools a day.
• ▸Had fallen from 180 to 120 pounds in weight.
• ▸Was

all run down and had made up his mind he had only a short time to live. He was given Su/. 30x

two doses, one each night; then Merc. cor. 3x, a dose each night for five nights; then Liatris 1x,

four pellets each night for five weeks, by which time he was completely cured.

1 to 4 drams of tincture of infusion.