Astringent principles

This contains a considerable quantity of tannic acid as well as cathartic principles. The astringent action predominates with smaller doses (0.05 to 0.01 g), and these are used as astringent bitters in gastric catarrh and in diarrhea. Larger doses (1 to 5 g) are laxative with little colic. They may be employed in chronic constipation, but the astringent action makes it inferior to cascara. It may cause skin eruptions. 

A decoction of the bark, which is more astringent than the leaves, checks external and internal hemorrhages, and this astringency, when in combination with the more specific principles of Pilewort, makes one of the most effective pile medicines known. The compound can be obtained in the form of both ointment and suppositories for external application. For varicose veins an extract of the fresh leaves and young twigs of Witch Hazel is applied on a lint bandage kept constantly moist. 

Alchemically, these three principles are as follows ASTRINGENCY = SULPHUR COMPUNCTION = MERCURY ROTATION = SALT. Of these Boehme says (Signatura 31) "These three forms are in one another... 

Lactic acid is a sour principle of yogurt and lactobacillus beverages. It exhibits a soft and thick sour taste quality with slight astringency. It is a syrupy liquid produced by fermentation with a lactobacillus and is formed in the body by the metabolism of sugars. Due to its pH-controlling effect, it is used in soft drinks, pickles, Japanese sakes, sherbets, and so on. It is industrially produced by the fermentation of glucose and chemical synthesis. Approximately 12 000 tons are consumed annually as a food additive in Japan. 

Trigeminal stimuli are triggered by the trigeminal nerve (Nervus trigeminus). As with taste and smell, we do not know precisely how this works. Trigeminal stimuli are, for example, basic, metallic, astringent, etc. In principle, the sense of temperature and... 

Oleo-gum-resin exudes from incisions made in bark of myrrh trees (family Burseraceae) in North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula— Commiphora molmol—and India—C. mukul— where it is known as guggul. The main constituents are resin 25-40%, gum 60%, volatile oil 2.5-8% along with a bitter principle. Its actions are antiseptic, antimicrobial, astringent and stimulant. 

Astringents are locally applied protein precipitants which have such a low cell permeability that the action is essentially limited to the cell surface. Astringents are used to coagulate blood, reduce inflammation of mucus membranes, promote healing, and toughen the skin. The principle astringents are the salts of aluminum, zinc, manganese, iron, or bismuth, in addition to certain other salts which contain these metals and tannins. 

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