Materia Medica for Skin Diseases
Taken from:A Treatise on the Materia medica and
Therapeutics of the Skin, Piffard, 1881
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ABSINTHIUM (Right) Affections of the skin with heat and itching ACETIC ACID Glacial Acetic acid is used Topically to destroy epithelial tissue Hyperhidrosis, Scabies Psoriasis Trichophytosis Warts, corns, callosities Nävus Lupus erythematosus Clavus, condylomata acuminata (injected) Clavus, verrucas, and molluscum contagiosum Pruritus |
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Internally:
Erysipelas Arrests profuse sweating Obstinate scaly eruptions Chronic affections of the skin Pruriginous papular eruptions
Pruritus scroti
Topically:
Pruritus
Acne
‘In affections of the skin attended with febrile action, as some cases of acute eczema, erysipelas, etc., aconite is the first remedy to be thought of. In these cases a few doses given early, certainly exert a marked beneficial action on the course of the disease. In chronic affections in which its long-continued use was advised by the older writers, I have had too little experience to enable me to form any opinion as to its efficacy.’
ADIANTUM CAPILLUS VENERIS
Topically:
Removes dandruff, increases the hair, and cures alopecia
ALOES
Topically:
Fissures, excoriations, Sycosis, eczema
ALUM
Topically:
Exerts a special influence upon ulcerated Cancer, acting as a caustic, disinfectant and hemostatic
Affections of the skin accompanied with profuse and rank perspiration
Diminishes the secretion in herpes and eczema, but does not cure
AMYGDALA AMARA. Bitter Almond
Topically:
Emulsion removes freckles
Emulsion is antipruritic
ANGELICA
Topically:
Powdered seed kill head Lice
ANISUM
Topically:
Oil Kills Lice
Pediculi, chromophytosis, trichophytosis
APIUM PETROSELINUM, Parsley
Topically:
Powdered seed kill head Lice
ARCTIUM, BURDOCK
Internally:
Chronic diseases of the skin
Impetiginous eruption on the leg, with ulceration or varicose veins (decoction)
Topically:
Old Ulcers Obstinate and corroding ulcers
Varicose ulcers Mitigates the pain of Cancer and ulcers
Alopecia
ARNICA
Internally:
Urticaria
Topically:
Urticaria, Eczema
ARSENIC (specifically, Arsenic acid)
Internally:
Psoriasis (many authors) Eczema (many authors) Pemphigus
Urticaria Puruncles
Epithelioma
Rodent Ulcer Lupus Syphilitic nodes and pains
Syphilis (late lesions) Obstinate syphilis, leprosy, and scaly eruptions Molluscum contagiosum Lichen ruber
Topically:
Lupus (Fowler’s Solution)
Cancerous growths
Leprosy (in ointment, 10 grains to 1 drams)
ARTEMISIA ABROTANUM
Topically:
A decoction promotes the growth of the hair and prevents its falling out
ARUM (Arum maculatum)
Topically:
Atonic and scrofulous ulcers
Condylomata
ASSAFETIDA
Internally:
‘Chronic scaly eruptions, chronic eczema, etc., especially when the skin is dry and harsh, are much improved by the persistent use of assafoetida’.
AURUM (Gold chloride)
Internally:
Leprosy
Lupus
Syphilis, including late-stage
Venereal diseases
BAPTISIA (Baptisia tinctoria)
Very useful as an application to foul ulcers
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BELLADONNA (Right) Internally: Acne Erythema Erysipelas Scarlet fever Diffuse inflammatory affections of the skin Prophylactic against scarlet fever. Pruritus ani Topically: Herpes Zoster Erysipelas Sensitive Scars BENZOIN Topically: Rosacea Fissured Nipples |
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Topically:
Scabies
BRYONIA
Chronic Skin diseases
BUXUS SEMPERVIRENS
Topically:
Promotes the growth of the hair
CALENDULA (Calendula officinalis)
Topically:
Callous ulcers
Incised and lacerated wounds
Chapped hands
‘a tincture made from the fresh herb, and diluted before use, forms one of the best local applications for fresh wounds with which I am acquainted. It has been my custom for many years to employ it as a dressing after Operations’.
CALOTROPIS GIGANTEA
Internally:
Syphilis
Leprosy
Lupus
Psoriasis
*Not in inflammatory diseases
CAMPHORA
Internally;
Pruritus
Topically:
Ichorous pustules and torpid ulcers
Chronic vesicular and pustular eruptions
Pruritus.
Herpes labialis
CANNABIS
Itching
‘A pill of cannabis indica at bedtime has at my hands sometimes afforded relief to the intolerable itching of eczema’
CANTHARIDES
Internally:
Eczema
Psoriasis
Topically:
Psoriasis, Eczema
Lupus Alopecia areata
‘The tincture of cantharides, commencing with a dose of three or four drops, gradually increased up to twenty, succeeds admirably in the treatment of psoriasis. Prudently administered and carefully watched, it is without danger. The remedy succeeds best and most promptly with women’.
CAPSICUM
Topically:
Alopecia areata
CAROTA (Carrot)
Eczema rubrum The fresh root very healing in cancerous and old ulcers
Calms the pains of Cancer and old ulcers Ulcers Sloughing ulcers
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CHELIDONIUM (Right) Internally: Herpes Chronic Eruptions Topically: Ulcers Ulcerated Scrofulous Tumors Chronic eruptions Warts Mentagr CHRYSANTHEMUM LEUCANTHEMUM Topically: Tinea Ulcers |
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Internally:
Skin diseases
Acne
Eczema
Topically:
Smooths rough skin
CITRUS LIMONUM
Internally:
Psoriasis
Lupus
-‘two cases of erythematous lupus were treated with the juice of three lemons daily, one greatly improved, the other was cured’
Topically:
Acne indurata, ulcerating lupus, freckles
As an anti-pruritic in lichen aestivus Dry chronic eczema of fingers, lips and face
CLEMATIS ERECTA
Topically:
Cancerous ulcers
CLEMATIS VITALBA
Topically as a wash for atonic and scrofulous ulcers
COLCHICUM
Topically:
Urticaria, prurigo
Eczema (especially with Gout)
Peliosis
CONIUM
Internally:
Chronic skin diseases
Tinea
‘ulcers of bad character’
Obstinate chronic eruptions
Topically:
Scrofulous ulcers ‘The pains of cancer are particularly amenable to its influence’
Carcinoma, ulcus, Scabies
Pruritus
COPPER ACETATE
Internally:
‘Pruritus, and especially the kind which occurs without visible lesion’
Topically:
‘In chronic diseases of the scalp, when indolent and obstinate’
Trichophytosis
COPPER SULPHATE
Internally:
‘Eczema and pellagra when marked by ill-nutrition’
Topically:
Ulcers
‘Its chief value is as an external application. When applied in solid form to ulcers, it destroys flabby granulations and exerts a powerful exciting influence. Its Solution acts more feebly and is sometimes employed as a dressing for indolent ulcers’. ‘It unites with the albuminous substances on sores and forms an insoluble albuminate, which coats the surface and in an imperfect manner may take the place of the lost cuticle. Indolent forms of Impetigo, after resisting the more usual applications, will sometimes yield to sulphate of copper’.
CYDONIUM (Quince)
Topically:
Mucilage of the seed for Dermatitis
DAPHNE GNIDIUM
Topically:
Tinea (bark)
DELPHINIUM (Stavesacre)
Topically:
Pediculi, acari
Fungous ulcerations Ulcers and eruptions Pruritus
DIGITALIS
Internally:
Purpura
Erysipeals
Eczema
Topically:
Pruritus
Infusion is anodyne in painful eruptions and ulcerations
DROSERA, Sundew
Juice is caustic to Warts and Corns
DULCAMARA, Bittersweet
Internally:
‘affections accompanied with much irritation’
Scrofula
Syphilis
Psoriasis
Prurigo
scaly affections
Herpetic Eruptions
Squamous eruptions
rebellious eruptions and scrofulous ulcers
Leprosy
FERRUM
Internally:
Acne
Eczema
Herpes Zoster
Scleroderma
Erythrema nodosum
‘chronic eruptions with bluish or violet margins and thin, ichorous discharge’
FERRUM SULPHAS
Topically:
Eczema
Lichen aestivus
FRANGULA (Rhamnus frangula)
Internally:
Scabies
Varix ani
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FUMARIA (Right) Internally: Eczema, ‘Chronic cutaneous affections of an eczematous character’ Lepros GALANGA (Alpinia officinarum) Internally: Herpes GALIUM Internally: Cancer Psoriasis |
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Topically:
Fomentation in superficial inflammations of the skin
Condylomata
GLYCERINUM
Internally:
Acne
Topically:
Lichen
Psoriasis
Pityriasis
Ichthyosis
Skin diseases with itchiness
GRATIOLA
Internally:
As a purgative in ulcers and chronic skin diseases
GUAIACUM
Internally:
Syphilitic affections
HELLEBORUS NIGER
Internally:
Rebellious Pityriasis alba
HUMULUS (Hops)
sedative in cancerous ulcers (Lupuline)
hemorrhoids
HYDRASTIS
Internally and Topically for chronic and indolent Ulcers of the legs
HYDROCOTYLE ASIATICA
Internally:
Eczema
Leprosy (Internally and Topically)
‘ “In all these cases” (57 in number), “without exception, the progress of the disease has been arrested, …. frightful sores have been cicatrized, spots on the skin are less marked, and the skin itself has become more supple and firm and has recovered its sensibility.” It seemed to act better after the previous exhibition of mercury and arsenic.’ Boileau (Pharm. Jl. from Madras Gaz.)
HYSSOPUS
Internally:
Chronic skin diseases
IMPERATORIA OSTRUTHIUM
Topically:
cleanses Ulcers
Eczema of the head
INULA, Elecampane
Internally:
Scabies
Topically:
Pruritus
Scabies
JUGULANS, Walnut leaf
Internally:
Scrofulous affections (effects may take 3–5 weeks to be noticable)
Ulcers
Fistulous tracts
Topically:
Ulcers, eruptions
JUNIPERUS
Internally:
Eczema, squamous eruptions
Pruritus
LINUM, Linseed
Internally:
Pemphigus, lichen ruber (seeds)
Psoriasis, dry Eczema (oil)
MATRICARIA, Camomile
Topically:
ill-conditioned and cancerous Ulcers
MENTHA PIPERITS, Peppermint
Topically for Pruritus, Pruritus vulvae
MEZEREON
Internally:
Old ulcers and eruptions Scrofulous and chronic cutaneous diseases
‘The berries, slightly torrefied and made into one-grain pills, have cured dartres (Pityriasis alba) that resisted various treatment’
Eczema and other skin diseases of internal origin in children
Pruritus ani
MYRRHA
Topically to ill-conditioned Ulcers
NUX VOMICA
Internally:
macular leprosy
‘The natives of India use the crude nut in doses of about two and a half grains taken after meals, in the treatment of ” Sunbheri” (macular leprosy). To be of Service, the drug must be long continued and the dose gradually increased’.
Topically:
Alopecia and alopecia areata
OLEUM CAJEPUTI, Oil of Cajeput
Internally:
Scrofula, Syphilis, elephantiasis, and other cutaneous diseases
OLEUM GYNOCARDLAE, Chaulmoogra oi
Internally:
Leprosy (Internally and Topically)
Scrofula
Lupus
Syphilis
OLEUM OLIVAE, Olive oil
Topically for Pruritus genitalium
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OPIUM (Papaver, Right) Internally: Syphilitic ulcers Topically: Psoriasis Phagedenic ulcers PHASEOLUS VULGARIS Topically Meal of the seeds beautifies the skin PHYTOLACCA Internally & Topically for Cancers of the Breast and Lips Topically for Psoriasis, Tinea capitis |
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Topically for Pruritus
PIX LITHANTHRACIS, Coal tar
Topically:
Chronic squamous eczema, psoriasis, ichthyosis
PLANTAGO MAJOR
Topically:
Ulcers
Rhus poisoning
PLUMBI SUBACETAS, Lead acetate
Topically:
Eczema
Erysipelas, Erythema, Herpes
POLYGONUM HYDROPIPER
Topically:
Detersive in atonic and scrofulous ulcers
Condylomata
POTASSIUM CARBONAS
Internally:
Psoriasis, pityriasis, acne, lichen
Eczema and psoriasis
Topically:
‘In weak Solution as a lotion in the early and middle stages of acute eczema, when the red and raw surface weeps copiously’.
Psoriasis (Ointment)
PSORALEA
Internally:
Leprosy
PULSATILLA
Internally:
Ill-conditioned ulcers and obstinate eruptions,
Topically:
Putrid wounds, ragged nails, papules, and warts
Syphilitic ulcerations of long duration,
ROSMARINUS
Internally:
Obstinate eruptions, psoriasis, elephantiasis, etc.
Topically:
Alopecia
RUMEX ACETOSA
Internally:
Purpura hemorrhagica
SABINA, Savin
Internally:
Eczema capitis of infants
Topically:
Eczema capitis of infants
Venereal Warts
SALVIA, Sage
Internally:
excess sweating
Topically:
Atonic and scrofulous ulcers
SAPONARIA (Soapwort)
Internally:
Furfuraceous and squamous affections Cutaneous diseases Chronic eruptions Topically:
Scabies
SARSAPARILLA
Internally:
Scaly eruptions and ulcers
Chronic skin conditions, especially with weak constitution
Syphilis
Venereal diseases
SASSAFRAS
Internally in chronic eruptions
SCABIOSA SUCCISA
Internally:
Eczema, other eruptions
Fissures
Topically:
Pruritus, impetigines, pityriasis, fistulous ulcers
Eczema capitis Itching vesicular eruptions
SCORDIUM
Topically, the powder is applied to foul Ulcers
SCROPHULARIA, Figwort
Internally:
Serpiginous ulcers
Topically:
Pemphigus gangrenosus
SEDUM ACRE
Fresh juice is applied to Lupoid, Torpid and Cancerous Ulcers
SODIUM BICARBONAS
Topically for Eczema (baths etc.)
SODIUM BORAS, Borax
Topically:
Chloasma, ephelis Chromophytosis (Richter), trichophytosis (Christison, Pereira) Pityriasis Intertrigo and pruritus ani
SODIUM CARBONATE
Topically:
Eczema
Urticaria
SOLANUM NIGRUM
Internally:
Herpetic Eruptions
Painful Ulcers
Topically:
Cancerous Ulcers (juice)
STRAMONIUM
Topically:
Gangrenous, phagedenic, and sloughing ulcers
Contused leaves in chronic ulcers Promotes the cure of certain cutaneous eruptions
Erythema that sometimes follows vaccination Pruritus
‘Cutaneous affections of all descriptions are mitigated and frequently cured altogether,
by a constant ablution with the tepid decoction twice a day’
STYRAX LIQUIDIS, Liquidamber orientalis
Topically to Scabies
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SULPHUR (Right) Internally: Furuncles, psoriasis, impetigo, eczema Topically: Scabies. Acne (infusion of sulphur) Rosacea Lentigines Pityriasis SYMPHYTUM, Comfrey Topically to Fissures of the Nipples |
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Internally for Acne and Chronic Eruptions
TEUCRIUM CHAMAEDRYS
Much used and highly prized as a detergent for ulcers and wounds
THUJA
Internally:
Venereal Warts
Epithelioma
Warts of the Face
Topically:
Warts, Venereal Warts
TRITICUM REPENS
Internally:
Herpetic and Squamous Eruptions
Topically:
Ulcers
TUSSILAGO, Coltsfoot
Internally:
Scrofulous Ulcers
Topically:
Eczema
URTICA, Nettle
Internally:
Eczema, psoriasis, lichen agrius
Topically:
Pruritus Eczema Gangrenous ulcers ‘Prompt relief of burns by applying to affected parts lint moistened with tincture of urtica’.
VERBENA
Topically to Alopecia
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VIOLA TRICOLOR (Right) Internally: Eczema Eczema capitis infantum (Eczema of the head in children) Crusta Lactea (Milk Crust, Specific) Scrofula in children Topically: Eczema ZINC CARBONAS Topically: Intertrigo Humid ulcers and excoriations |
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