Rhamnus

(ram'-nus). One of a genus of polypetalous shrubs and trees. R. a later nus, a plant indigenous to northern Africa and the south of Europe, of which the leaves are astringent and the fruits bitter and purgative. R. alpinus, Alpine buckthorn. The fruits and bark are purgative. R. baccae, the berries of R. cathartic us. R. californica, California buckthorn, the bark of which has strong purgative properties. R. carol in i an us, a shrub or small tree with purple berries, found in the southern United States. R. cathartic a, or cathartic us, common buckthorn;purging thorn; harts - thorn; rain - berry; thorn way; thorn; a shrub indigenous to Europe, Asia. and northern Africa; it is cultivated in the United States. The berries are actively purgative. They are usually given in a syrupy vehicle to counteract their irritant effect. R. catharticae fructus, the berries of R. cathartic a. R. crocea, California mountain holly; an extract of the bark is used in medicine as a mild laxative and tonic. R. elliptic us, a species used in medicine as an antisyphilitic. R. frangula, dogwood; alder (United States and Br. Ph.). The bark only is official and occurs in thin quills, grayish-brown externally, and rough; internally, smooth and yellowish in color. It is a laxative, but too irritant to prove of much value in medicine. The berries have been used as a cathartic. R. frangulae, Extractum, an aqueous or alcoholic extract of the bark of R. frangula. R. line at us, a species indigenous to China. The root is used in medicine and has diuretic properties. R. lycioides, a Spanish variety. A decoction of the berries is used as an external application in rheumatic joint-enlargements. R. pumilus, dwarf buckthorn; a variety having mild purgative properties, the fruit and bark being used. R. purshiana, or purshianus, California buckthorn; a small tree which grows in California. The bitter bark constitutes cascara sagrada official in the Br. Ph. purshiani cortex. It contains three resins; tannic, malic, and oxalic acids; a neutral, crystallizable principle, and an e ential oil. It is used as a laxative, and is especially valuable in that it exerts a protracted influence upon the gastrointestinal tract. R. sanguine a, or sanguine us, used in the treatment of itch; a Spanish variety. R. saxatilis, rock buckthorn;the berries and a portion of the bark are said to be purgative. Rhamni, Succus, the expre ed juice of the fruit of R. cathartic us. R.