witch's gloves, dead men's bells, fairy's glove, gloves of Our Lady, bloody fingers, virgin's glove, fairy caps, folk's glove, fairy thumbles, fair women's plant.
indigenous and widely distributed in many areas of Europe and Great Britain
the leaves, which contain four important glucosides - digitoxin, digitalin, digitalein and digitonin. The first three listed are well known cardiac stimulants.
Cardiac tonic, sedative, diuretic. Administering digitalis increases the activity of all forms of muscle tissue, particularly the heart and arterioles. It causes a rise in blood pressure, while the pulse is slowed and becomes regular. Digitalis makes the heart contract in size, allowing increased blood flow and nutrient delivery to the organ. It also acts on the kidneys and is a good remedy for dropsy, particularly when it is connected with cardiac problems. The drug has benefits in treating internal haemorrhage, epilpesy, inflammatory diseases and delirium tremens. Digitalis has a cumulative action whereby it is liable to accumulate in the body and then have poisonous effects. It should therefore only be used under strict medical advice. Digitalis is an excellent antidote in aconite poisening, when given as an injection.
tincture, infusion, powdered leaves, solid extract, injection.