Also -jerva. [Sp.; = ‘counter-herb,’ i.e., one used as an antidote, f. CONTRA- 3 + yerva (now yerba) HERB.] A name given, in general use, to the root-stock and scaly rhizome of species of Dorstenia (D. Contrayerva and D. braziliensis, N. O. Urticaceæ) native to tropical America, used as a stimulant and tonic, and formerly as an antidote to snake-bites. In Jamaica, the name is given to a species of Birthwort (Aristolochia odoratissima), still held in repute as an alexipharmic.
a. 1656. Bp. Hall, in Select Thoughts, § 51. No Indian is so savage but that he knows the use of his tobacco and contrayerva.
1731. Houstoun, in Phil. Trans., XXXVII. 196. A short Account of that Plant whose Root is called Contrayerva here in England.
1736. Bailey (folio), Contrayerva, a plant in the West Indies much used with others in counterpoisons, and which distillers with us use in strong waters.
1755. Miller, (in Johnson), A species of birthwort growing in Jamaica, where it is much used as an alexipharmick.
1757. A. Cooper, Distiller, III. xv. (1760), 171.
1782. E. Gray in Med. Commun., I. 30. Stimulating diaphoretics, such as contrayerva.
1814. Lunan, Hort. Jamaic., I. 232 (Aristolochia) This is called Contrayerva in Jamaica, from its great efficacy against poisons, but is in no respect like the Spanish contrayerva.
1876. Harley, Mat. Med., Contrajerva root.
1887. D. Morris, in Kew Bulletin, No. 12. 7. In Jamaica, this term is invariably applied to a species of Aristolochia, while roots of Dorstenia are there called Spanish Contrayerva.
