Matico powder can be advantageously used externally in sprinkling over bleeding parts, in plugging the nasal fossœ and in epithems for contusions. Internally it may be used moistened with a little sweetened water under the form of electuary or in pills.
INFUSION OF MATICO.
| Bruised matico, | 10 to 20 grammes. |
| Boiling water, | 1,000 grammes. |
Let it infuse until cold and strain it. This infusion is amber-colored, and possesses the aromatic odor of the plant. It is not unpleasant to take, but may be rendered more agreeable by the addition of sugar, or an appropriate syrup.
For external use, lotions, embrocations, lavements and injections, 30, 40 or even 50 grammes of matico may be used to the {170} same quantity of water, and it may be submitted to a slight decoction. If, in this mode of operation, it parts with some volatile oil, it gains a small portion of resin.
DISTILLED WATER, OR HYDROLATE OF MATICO.
| Bruised matico, | 100 parts. |
| Water, | 1,000 parts. |
Draw off by distillation, 500 parts of hydrolate.
The product is colorless throughout the distillation, except the first few drops, which are milky.
Hydrolate of matico has an odor of turpentine stronger than the plant itself. It is covered with globules, or a light layer of a volatile oil, almost colorless, and of the consistence of castor oil.