Partridge Berry Herb C/S (Mitchella repens; Squaw Vine) 1 lb: K

This is Frontier's nitrogen-flushed double wall silverfoil pack. Some Frontier packs are double wall wax-lined paper. Used as an infusion, decoction, extract, tincture and salve. As Grieve puts it, 'It is taken by Indian women for weeks before confinement, in order to render parturition safe and easy. A herbal physician should be consulted for a safe and effectual preparation.' Ellingwood gives the specifics of this regimen below. Used also for the relief of painful periods. As an astringent it has been used in the treatment of diarrhea and colitis. The salve, recipe below, is recommended by Grieve and King for sore nipples. Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'Parturient, diuretic, tonic, astringent. Beneficial in all uterine complaints. It resembles in its action pipsissewa (Chimaphila), for which it is often substituted. It is taken by Indian women for weeks before confinement, in order to render parturition safe and easy. A herbal physician should be consulted for a safe and effectual preparation.' 'It is used in dropsy, suppression of urine, and diarrhoea.' 'The following preparation is a cure for sore nipples: 2 oz. of the herb (fresh, if possible), 1 pint of water. Make a strong decoction, strain, and add an equal quantity of good cream. Boil the whole down to the consistency of a soft salve, and when cool, anoint the nipple every time the child is removed from the breast.' 'Dosages: Of a strong decoction, 2 to 4 fluid ounces, two or three times a day. Fluid extract, ½ to 1 drachm.' King’s 1898 Dispensatory: 'Partridgeberry is parturient, diuretic, and astringent. Used in dropsy, suppression of urine and diarrhoea, in decoction.' 'It seems to have an especial affinity for the uterus, exerting a powerful tonic and alterative influence upon this organ, and has hence been found highly beneficial in many uterine derangements, as in amenorrhoea, some forms of dysmenorrhoea, menorrhagia, chronic congestion of the uterus, enfeebled uterine nervous system, etc.' 'It is said that the squaws drink a decoction of this plant for several weeks previous to their confinement, for the purpose of rendering parturition safe and easy. Similar virtues have been ascribed to it by competent physicians of our time. The remedy is peculiarly American, not being noticed or used by foreign practitioners.' 'Dose of a strong decoction, from 2 to 4 fluid ounces, 2 or 3 times a day.' 'The berries are a popular remedy for diarrhoea and dysuria.' American Materia Medica, 1919 (Ellingwood): 'The sphere of action of mitchella is upon the reproductive organs, particularly upon those of the female. It is not enlarged upon by our writers, but is known positively to a few practitioners. It is par excellence the partus preparator. The importance of removing every possible influence that increases in any way the severity of labor, does not impress itself upon physicians, unless an exceedingly severe labor is anticipated,