Used in traditional European medicine to regulate heart rate, promote heart activity, and raise blood pressure. Used in modern medicine to increase force of systolic contractions in congestive heart failure. The active ingredients lower venous pressure in hypertensive heart ailments, elevate blood pressure in weak heart, and reduce edema. Note: Source of powerful cardiac glycosides; potentially very toxic and not for home use.
References:
Grieve, M. (Maud). A Modern Herbal; the Medicinal, Culinary, Cosmetic and Economic Properties, Cultivation and Folk-Lore of Herbs, Grasses, Fungi, Shrubs, & Trees with All Their Modern Scientific Uses. New York :Harcourt, Brace & company, 1931.
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