Give different ones to different patients, for the sweet ones do not benefit everyone, nor do the astringent ones, nor are all patients able to drink the same things. In most cases, drugs, when they appear, are mingled with dietary suggestions, and it seem that the Hippocratic doctor saw little distinction, since all have properties and effects on the body. For the cough, grate dragon arum into honey, and give this to the patient to take. On the other hand, a few books are more therapeutically oriented. The root is very poisonous, with a paralyzing effect on the nervous system, and is scarcely if ever used internally.
Excessive doses can cause gastroenteritis and even death.
Root and leaves edible when dried or cooked. The root is also used to encourage delayed menstruation. It can induce uterine contractions and so should not be used by pregnant women. The whole plant is antiasthmatic, antidandruff, astringent, depurative, diuretic, galactogogue, haemostatic, hypoglycaemic and a stimulating tonic. An infusion of the plant is very valuable in stemming internal bleeding.