Digitalis, drug obtained from the dried leaves of the common foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) and used in medicine to strengthen contractions of the heart muscle.

Where is digoxin extracted from?

Digoxin is obtained from the leaf of the woolly or Balkan foxglove, D lanata,2 from which it was first isolated by Dr Sydney Smith at Burroughs Wellcome in Britain in 1930. It is still extracted from the plant because, although it can be made synthetically, this is a difficult and expensive process.

What plant is digitalis made from?

Chemicals taken from foxglove are used to make a prescription drug called digoxin. Digitalis lanata is the major source of digoxin in the US. Foxglove is most commonly used for heart failure and fluid build up in the body (congestive heart failure or CHF) and irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation).