By antispasmodics are meant those articles that assist, through their
physiological action, in relaxing the nervous and muscular systems.
Hence the reader will perceive, by the definition we have given of this
class of remedies, that we cannot recommend or employ the agents used by
our brethren of the allopathic school, for many of them act
pathologically. The class we use are simple, yet none the less
efficient.
Professor Curtis says, when alluding to the action of medicinal agents,
"Experiments have shown that many vegetable substances, which seem in
themselves quite bland and harmless, are antidotes to various poisons.
Thus the skullcap (_scutellaria laterifolia_) is said to be a remedy for
hydrophobia, the _alisma plantago_ and _polemonium reptans_ for the
bites of serpents, and lobelia for the sting of insects. They are good;
but why? Because they are permanently relaxing and stimulating, and
depurate the whole system."
Natural antispasmodics are warmth and moisture. The medicinal ones are
lobelia, Indian hemp, castor musk, ginseng, assafoetida, pleurisy
root, Virginia snakeroot, camomile, wormwood. The above are only
specimens. There is no limit to the number and variety of articles in
the vegetable kingdom that will act as antispasmodics or relaxants. They
may be given internally or applied externally: the effect is the same.