Habitat.—North America in woods west to Missouri and Arkansas.
Properties.—Externally brownish-gray to yellow-brown; fracture short, wood wedges bright yellow, pith large, light yellow, the roots thin, brittle, with a thick yellow bark and a somewhat quadrangular wood; odor distinct; taste bitter.
Constituents.—Berberine, an alkaloid occurring in yellow crystals; hydrastine, a colorless crystalline alkaloid, soluble in alcohol and ether; canadine occurring in white, acicular crystals.
Dose.—Horses and cattle, 2 dr. to 1 oz.; sheep and pigs, 1 to 2 dr.; dogs, 5 gr. to 1 dr.
PREPARATIONS
FLUIDEXTRACTUM HYDRASTIS—FLUIDEXTRACT OF HYDRASTIS
Made by maceration and percolation with alcohol, glycerin and water and evaporation.
Dose.—Horses and cattle, 3 drs. to 1 oz.; sheep and pigs, 1 to 2 drs.; dogs, 5 gr. to 1 dr.
TINCTURA HYDRASTIS—TINCTURE OF HYDRASTIS
Made by maceration and percolation of hydrastis, with diluted alcohol.