Purple Foxglove was historically used to treat which conditions?

Purple Foxglove was historically used to treat which conditions?

• A. Allergies
• B. Digestive ulcers
• C. Skin infections
• D. Dropsy and heart issues

Answer: (D)

Purple Foxglove contains cardiac glycosides that were historically used to treat heart failure and related edema (dropsy). The way they work is by inhibiting the Na+/K+-ATPase pump in heart muscle cells, which raises intracellular calcium and strengthens each heartbeat (positive inotropy). They also increase vagal tone, which can slow the heart and help control certain rapid rhythms. Because these effects address the weakened pumping and edema seen in heart disease, they were used for dropsy and other heart-related issues. They aren’t used for allergies, digestive ulcers, or skin infections, which involve different systems and treatments.

Purple Foxglove contains cardiac glycosides that were historically used to treat heart failure and related edema (dropsy). The way they work is by inhibiting the Na+/K+-ATPase pump in heart muscle cells, which raises intracellular calcium and strengthens each heartbeat (positive inotropy). They also increase vagal tone, which can slow the heart and help control certain rapid rhythms. Because these effects address the weakened pumping and edema seen in heart disease, they were used for dropsy and other heart-related issues. They aren’t used for allergies, digestive ulcers, or skin infections, which involve different systems and treatments.