How does digitalis work? How does digitalis work? Digitalis medicines strengthen the force of the heartbeat by increasing the amount of calcium in the heart’s cells. (Calcium stimulates the heartbeat.) When the medicine reaches the heart muscle, it binds to sodium and potassium receptors.How much digoxin do you take for digitalis? The plant is cultivated as an ornamental. Digitalis leaf has a narrow therapeutic index, requiring close medical supervision for safe use. Traditional dosage starts at 1.5 g of leaf pided into 2 daily doses. Purified digoxin is typically used at daily doses of 0.125 to 0.25 mg.Is digitalis purpurea a plant? Digitalis purpurea (Dig.) Digitalis purpurea, known commonly as foxglove, is a flowering plant native to most parts of Europe. It is the original source of the heart medicine digoxin, (also called digitalis or digitalin). Digitalis, during its homeopathic provings slowed the pulse rate of those who took it.What is the scientific name of digitalis? Digitalis. Digitalis ( /ˌdɪdʒɪˈteɪlɪs/ or /ˌdɪdʒɪˈtælɪs/) is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous perennials, shrubs, and biennials commonly called foxgloves . This genus was traditionally placed in the figwort family Scrophulariaceae, but recent phylogenetic research has placed it in the much enlarged family Plantaginaceae.