Seneca Snakeroot, Prep & Dose

Daily dosage:

1.5–3.0 g crude drug as an infusion or decoction in divided doses. A 60% ethanol extract (made slightly alkaline with dilute ammonia): 0.9–3 ml; tincture: 2.5–7.5 g. Equivalent preparations

Infusion: Place 1.5 to 3.0 g in cold water, heat to a simmer, strain after 10 minutes. (1 teaspoonful = 2.5 g). To use the infusion as an expectorant, drink 1 cup 2 to 3 times a day. In serious cases, it can be taken every 2 hours if the patient is observed for side effects.

Decoction: 4-12 grams, Tincture 2-4 ml.  (Holmes)

Dose of the powder, from five to ten grains every three or four hours. Most commonly it is used as an ingredient with such articles as symphytum, glycyrrhiza, convallaria or althea, and made into an infusion. A decoction is prepared by adding a pint and a half of water to an ounce of senega and an ounce of licorice root, boiling down to a pint, and straining. One to two fluid ounces of this are used as an expectorant three or four times a day. A sirup is prepared by boiling four ounces of the root in a quart of water till the strength is obtained, straining with pressure, adding a pound of refined sugar, and evaporating so as to obtain a pint. Dose, one to two fluid drachms. (Cook)