Curcuma zedoaria
Trade Names
Turmeric Power, Turmeric Whole Rhizome, Turmeric Extract (available from numerous manufacturers and as a combination product)
Medicinal Parts
The medicinal part is the dried tuberous part of the rhizome, cut in transverse slices or in longitudinal quarters.
Flower and Fruit
The inflorescences are on 5 to 15 cm long, obtuse and silky involucre bracts. The spike-like inflorescences are 7.5 to 12.5 cm long and 5 to 7.5 cm wide. The bracts bearing the flowers are ovate with revolute tips, pale •green with a reddish border, densely punctuated with glands. There are more or less stiff hairs on the surface, in particular at the tip. The bracts at the tip of the inflorescence are 5 cm long, initially white, then pink to crimson. The flowers are pale yellow. The calyx is 8 mm long, obtuse and 3-tipped. The tips of the corolla are broadly triangular and pale pink at the extreme tips. The labellum is light yellow, fluorescent yellow in the center with very slightly reddish tinged borders at the lower part. The ovary is 4 to 5 mm long and very weakly pubescent. The fruit is an ovate, thin, smooth and irregularly opening capsule. The elliptical seeds have a white aril.
Leaves, Stem and Root
Curcuma zedoaria is a perennial, erect and leafy plant. The rhizome has a grayish outer surface and is ovate to pear-shaped, thick and palmately branched downwards. It is whitish-yellow, with numerous thin roots, and it has a strong smell of camphor. The roots are partially uhickened to ovate, white tubers. The leaves, in groups of4 and 6 on the rhizome, are up to 1 m long. The 20 to 60 cm long and 8 to 10 cm wide leaf blade is oblong-ovate, glabrous, and has a purple mark in the middle of the leaf.
Characteristics
The taste is bitter; The smell is like camphor and is reminiscent of cardamom and ginger.
Habitat
The plant is indigenous to northeast India and is also found in the Moluccas, the Philippines and New Guinea.
Production
Zedoary rhizome consists of the dried rhizome of Curcuma zedoaria and its preparations. After the root tubers have been harvested they are washed, cut and dried.
Other Names
Turmeric
Actions and Pharmacology
Compounds
Volatile oil (1.0-1.5%): chief components zingiberene, 1,8-cineole, D-camphor, D-camphene, D-borneol, alpha-pinene, also including among others curcumol, zederone, curcume-neol, curculone, furanodienone, isofuranodienone
Curcuminoids: curcumin, desmethoxycurcumin, bisdes-methoxycurcumin
Starch (50%)
Effects
Main active principles: essential oil, tannins, mucilage, small-grained starch. In animal tests, the drug has a choleretic, mildly antacid and spasmolytic effect, as well as increasing intestinal transit time. The ethanol extract (main active principle p-methoxy cinnamic acid ethyl ester) is a strong fungicide. An anti-tumoral effect has also been proven.
Indications and Usage
Unproven Uses
Zedoary is used as a stomachic for digestive debility, colic and spasms (stomachic, carminative). In folk medicine, it is also used as a remedy for nervous diseases.
Indian Medicine
In India, the drug is used for loss of appetite, tuberculosis, wounds, leukodermia, fever, bronchitis and asthma.
Precautions and Adverse Reactions
General
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages.
Pregnancy
Not to be used during pregnancy.
Dosage
Mode of Administration
Zeodary is available as solid and liquid dosage forms for oral intake.
How Supplied
Capsules: 300 mg, 450 mg; liquid: 1:4.
Preparation
Extracts of the drug are contained in numerous combination preparations for gastrointestinal indications and as cholagogues. To prepare an infusion, pour boiling water over 1 to 1.5 gm of comminuted or powdered drug, or put in cold water and strain after 3 to 5 minutes (1 teaspoonful = 3 gm of drug).
Daily Dosage
Drink 1 cup as an aromatic bitter at meals.
Pausinystalia yohimbe
Trade Names
Yohimbe, Yohimbe Super Potent, Yohimbized 1000, Yocon Tablets, Actibine, Aphrobine, Testomar, Yohimex, Super Yohimbe Plus, Yohimbe Power Max 1500, Yohimbe Power Max for Women, Yohimbe Power Max 2000.
Medicinal Parts
The medicinal part is the bark.
Flower and Fruit
The inflorescence consists of racemes of yellow blooms.
Leaves, Stem and Root
The evergreen tree grows up to 30 m in height. The bark is gray-brown, fissured and split, and is often spotted. The inner fracture is reddish brown and grooved. The leaves are oblong or elliptical.
Characteristics
The taste is bitter, and the plant is odorless.
Habitat
The plant grows in the jungles of west Africa, Cameroon, Congo and Gabon.
Production
Yohimbe bark consists of the dried bark of the trunk and/or branches of Pausinystalia yohimbe.
Actions and Pharmacology
Compounds
Indole alkaloids (2.7-5.9%): including among others yohim-bine (quebrachine) and its stereoisomers alpha-yohimbine (rauwolscine), beta-yohimbine, and allo-yohimbine. Including also, ajamalicine, dihydroyohimbine, corynantheine, dihydrocorynantheine, corynanthine (rauhimbin)
Tannins
Effects
Alpha 2-adrenergic Antagonist/Norepinephrine Release: Rauwolscine is a selective alpha 2-adrenergic receptor antagonist. Yohimbine increases plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels by stimulating the rate of norepinephrine release from sympathetic nerves (alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist). Plasma concentrations of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), the major central nervous system metabolite of NE, also increases with yohimbine. Central noradrenergic stimulation of yohimbine results in the enhancement of recall and recognition of emotional material.
Analgesic Effects: Yohimbine significantly enhanced the overall analgesic effect of morphine with postoperative dental pain.
Clonidine Antagonism: Traditionally, yohimbine was thought to reverse the therapeutic effects of clonidine. One study demonstrated yohimbine reversed sedation and shortened the duration of analgesia associated with clonidine administered postoperatively. There was no effect on hypotension and bradycardia related to clonidine administration with yohimbine.
Epinephrine Effects: Yohimbine causes an increase in epinephrine release from the adrenals and results in a dose-dependent increase in plasma epinephrine.
Improves Sexual Function: Because of the alpha-2 adrener-gic blockade, the drug may be an effective treatment for sexual side effects, such as decrease libido and decreased sexual response, caused by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. There was no therapeutic response to yohimbine in women with hypoac-tive sexual desire.
Cardiovascular/Pressor Effects: Yohimbine given in moderate doses increases systolic blood pressure in patients with orthostatic hypotension due to primary autonomic failure. Yohimbine-induced enhancement of sympathetic tone in patients with neurally mediated syncope improves orthostatic tolerance.
Salivary Effects: Yohimbine (18 mg daily) increases salivary flow in patients treated with psychotropic drugs (tricyclic antidepressants or neuroleptics) suffering from xerostomia.
Miscellaneous Effects: Through enhancing inhibitory sympathetic input, yohimbine attenuates increases in colonicton.
Clinical Trials
Non-organic Erectile Dysfunction
A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to determine the safety and efficacy of yohimbine hydrochloride in the treatment of nonorganic erectile dysfunction. Eighty-three patients were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. Yohimbine (10 mg three times daily) was administered orally for eight weeks. Subjective criteria included improvement in sexual desire, sexual satisfaction, frequency of sexual contacts, and quality of erection (penile rigidity) during sexual contact or intercourse. Objective criteria were based on improvement in penile rigidity determined by use of polysomnography in the sleep laboratory. Yohimbine was overall significantly more effective than placebo for response rate and was well tolerated.
Mixed-type ErecTile Dysfunction
The effect of yohimbine hydrochloride was evaluated in the treatment of mixed-type impotence. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial included 29 patients administered either yohimbine hydrochloride 36 mg daily or placebo. The two groups received therapy for 25 days, then a washout period of 14 days, and finally, a switch of treatment groups for an additional 25 days. Positive clinical results were seen in 44% and 48% of patients in the yohimbine and placebo groups, respectively, with no significant difference between the groups.
Pressor Effects with Autonomic Failure
In 35 patients with severe orthostatic hypotension due to multiple system atrophy or pure autonomic failure, the effect was determined on seated systolic blood pressure (SBP) of placebo, phenylpropanolamine (12.5 mg and 25 mg), yohimbine (5.4 mg), indomethacin (50 mg), ibuprofen (600 mg), caffeine (250 mg), and methylphenidate (5 mg). The pressor response was significant for phenylpropanolamine, yohimbine, and indomethacin compared with placebo. In a subgroup of patients, the pressor effect was confirmed of phenylpropanolamine, yohimbine, and indomethacin corresponding to a significant increase in standing SBP. The pressor responses to ibuprofen, caffeine, and methylphenidate were not significantly different from placebo, and phenylpropanolamine and midodrine exerted similar pressor responses.
Indications and Usage
FDA Approved Indications: Yohimbine Hydrochloride is indicated as a sympatholytic and mydriatic. Impotence has been successfully treated with Yohimbine in male patients with vascular or diabetic origins and psychogenic origins.
Unproven Uses
Yohimbe bark is used as an aphrodisiac, and for debility and exhaustion.
Contraindications
Yohimbe bark is contraindicated in liver and kidney diseases.
Precautions and Adverse Reactions
General
Side effects that can appear include anxiety states, elevated blood pressure, exanthema, nausea, insomnia, tachycardia, tremor, and vomiting.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Yohimbine was reported to exacerbate anxiety/panic and PTSD-specific symptoms after oral ingestion of the drug. Patients with PTSD consists of 2 subgroups, one with a sensitized noradrenergic system, and the other with a A sensitized serotonergic system, and is why yohimbine-in-duced panic attacks occur in different patients.
Hypertension: Yohimbine induced a significant increase in diastolic pressure, but only in hypertensive patients due to an alpha 2-adrenoreceptor desensitization or an alteration in the balance of alpha-adrenoreceptors in human hypertension.
Auditory Effects: The drug has been associated with a transient impairment in auditory sensory gating.
‘Salivation: Yohimbine significantly increases salivary flow in patients treated with psychotropic drugs (tricyclic antide-pressants or neuroleptics) suffering from xerostomia.
Panic Disorder: Patients with agoraphobia with panic attacks had greater autonomic anxiety symptoms, increase in SBP and Cortisol responses to yohimbine than healthy patients. Yohimbine also induced panic episodes in these patients.
Parkinson’s Disease: Patients with Parkinson’s Disease have demonstrated a vulnerability to yohimbine-induced somatic symptoms such as panic attacks.
Drug Interactions:
Naltrexone — Clinically used naltrexone doses alter sensitivity to yohimbine, and potentiates the drug’s side effects, such as nervousness.
Anti-hypertensive Medications — Because of the increase in diastolic pressure in hypertensive patients, caution should be taken with concomitant use of anti-hypertensive medications.
Ethanol — Intoxicating and anxiogenic effects of acute ethanol administration may be associated with increase norepinephrine turnover when administered concomitantly with yohimbine.
OTC stimulants — These may have alpha-1 adrenergic receptor activity to potentiate hypertension when yohimbine is given concomitantly.
Morphine — The overall analgesic effect of morphine was significantly enhanced in the presence of yohimbine in one study.
Overdosage
Overdosage leads to salivation, mydriasis, evacuation, hypotension and disorders of the cardiac impulse-conducting system with negative-inotropic effect. Death occurs through cardiac failure.
Treatment of overdosage includes gastrointestinal emptying (inducement of vomiting, gastric lavage with burgundy-colored potassium permanganate solution, sodium sulfate) and administration of activated charcoal. For cardiac rhythm disorders, treat with lidocaine; possibly using physostigmine for its anticholinergic effect and electrolyte substitution. For cases ofacidosis, treat with sodium bicarbonate infusions. In case of shock, plasma volume expanders should be infused.
Dosage
How Supplied
Capsule — 500 mg
Liquid — lOOOmg/ml
Tablet — 5.4 mg, 800 mg
Daily Dosage:
Erectile Dysfunction — Yohimbine hydrochloride was effective for nonorganic erectile dysfunction administered as 30 mg daily (10 mg three times daily). Given up to 30 mg daily and 36 mg daily, yohimbine, showed no effect for mixed-type impotence and erectile problems. For erectile impotence, yohimbine 5.4 mg (1 tablet) three times daily is recommended, and if side effects of nausea, dizziness or nervousness are reported, reduce to one-half tablet three times daily. Gradually increase to 1 tablet three times daily and therapy should not exceed 10 weeks.
Xerostomia Treatment — Yohimbine 6 mg three times daily has been effective for increasing salivary flow in patients treated with psychotropic drugs suffering from xerostomia.
Taxus baccata
Medicinal Parts
The medicinal parts are the fresh leaves, the branch twig tips, and the branches.
Flower and Fruit
The flowers are inconspicuous and dioecious. The male florets appear in autumn in yellowish catkins in the axils of the annual needle. The female florets, with only 1 pistil, are on short pedicles, which have scalelike high leaves. The hard, pea-sized, dark-brown seed is surrounded by a crimson, pulpy, beaker-shaped, sweet and edible aril.
Leaves, Stem and Root
The Yew may be a bush or small tree approximately 17 m high with a trunk diameter of over 1 m. The trunk has red-brown bark. The numerous branches are crowded and evergreen. The needles are 2 to 3 cm long, arranged in double rows, soft and acute. They are glossy dark green above, have a distinct midrib, and are lighter green beneath, matte, with no resin.
Characteristics
Yew is poisonous.
Habitat
The plant is common in large areas of Europe as far as Anatolia and Sicily.
Production
Yew leaves are the needles of Taxus baccata.
Other Names
Chinwood
Actions and Pharmacology
Compounds
Diterpene esters of the taxane-type (mixture is known as taxine, 0.6-2.0%): including among others, taxine A, taxine B, taxol
Flavonoids: including among others, sciadopytisin, ginkge-tin, sequoia flavone (biflavonoids)
Effects
In animal experiments, the taxin, a mixture of different ester alkaloids, leads to an improvement in cardiac metabolism. The motility-inhibiting effect may be attributable to the biflavonoid fraction. In higher doses the drug is cardiotoxic and can cause tachycardiac arrhythmia leading to diastolic cardiac arrest.
Indications and Usage
Unproven Uses
The cooked Yew leaves are used to promote menstruation; to treat diphtheria, epilepsy, tapeworm, and tonsillitis; and as an abortifacient. The plants are highly toxic and their use is not recommended.
Homeopathic Uses
The drug is used for poor digestion and skin pustules.
Contraindications
The drug is considered an abortifacient and therefore should not be used during pregnancy.
Precautions and Adverse Reactions
General
The drug is severely toxic: 50-100 gm Yew needles (fresh weight) are fatal for an adult. The red seed coat of the berries — although not the green seed — is free of toxic taxane derivatives.
Use in Pregnancy
The drug is used as an abortifacient.
Overdosage
Symptoms of poisoning include queasiness, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, and feelings of vertigo, followed later by unconsciousness, mydriasis, reddening of the lips, tachycardia, and superficial breathing. Death results from asphyxiation and diastolic cardiac arrest.
Following gastrointestinal emptying, (inducement of vomiting, gastric lavage with burgundy-colored potassium permanganate solution, sodium sulphate), and use of activated charcoal, treatment for poisonings consists of treating spasms with diazepam or barbital (i.v.). In case of shock, plasma volume expanders should be infused. The administration of lidocaine has proven effective in cardiac rhythm disorders. Monitoring of kidney function, blood coagulation and liver values is necessary. Intubation and oxygen respiration may also be necessary.
Dosage
Mode of Administration
Yew is used in homeopathic dilutions of the mother tincture.
Homeopathic Dosage
5 drops, 1 tablet or 10 globules, every 30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic); M parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc, acute: 3 times daily; chronic: once a day (HAB1).
Storage
The mother tincture should be protected from light.
Eriodictyon californicum
Trade Names
Yerba Santa Resin-Rich Leaf (available from numerous manufacturers and as combination product)
Medicinal Parts
The medicinal parts are the dried leaves.
Flower and Fruit
The flowers are tubular to funnel-shaped, lavender or white and clustered at the top of the plant. The calyx is ciliate. The fruit is a small, oval, grayish-brown seed capsule containing shriveled, almost black seeds.
Leaves, Stem and Root
The plant is a 2.5 m high, sticky, evergreen shrub, with woody rhizomes. The trunk is smooth and usually branched near the ground. It is completely covered in sticky resin. The leaves are up to 15 cm long and about 2 cm broad. They are thick, coriaceous, glabrous, greenish white, lanceolate and irregularly dentate at the margins. The upper surface appears to be varnished with resin, the lower surface is reticulate and tomentose.
Characteristics
The taste is balsamic and the odor, pleasant and aromatic.
Habitat
The plant grows in California, Oregon and parts of Mexico.
Production
Yerba Santa is the aerial part of Eriodictyon californicum.
Other Names
Bear’s Weed, Consumptive’s Weed, Eriodictyon, Gum Bush, Holy Herb, Mountain Balm, Sacred Herb, Tarweed
Actions and Pharmacology
Compounds
Flavonoids: including eriodictyonin, eriodictyol, chrysoer-iodictyol, xanthoeriodictyol
Resinous substances: made up of flavonone and flavone aglycones
Volatile oil (very little)
Tannins
Effects
Yerba Santa is mildly diuretic and masks bitter tastes.
Indications and Usage
Unproven Uses
The drug is used as a constituent of anti-asthmatic treatments and application by brush (painted on) to counteract bitter tastes.
Precautions and Adverse Reactions
Health risks or side effects following the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded.
Dosage
Mode of Administration
As an additive to mask bitter flavors and for painting on as Tinctura Eriodictyonis.
How Supplied
Liquid — 1:5
Linaria vulgaris
Medicinal Parts
The medicinal part is the fresh or dried herb.
Flower and Fruit
The flowers are in terminal dense racemes. They are sulfur yellow and remain closed until a bee gains entry. The calyx is only fused at the base and is 5-tipped. The corolla has a long sharp spur and is bilabiate with orange edges. There are 2 large and 2 small stamens and 1 superior ovary. The fruit is an orbicular, dry capsule with some chambers, which open when ripe, flinging out the seeds. The seeds are flattened and are in the middle of a circular wing.
Leaves, Stem and Root
A number of slim, glabrous, erect, simple stems 30 to 60 cm high grow from a perennial creeping root. The numerous leaves are alternate, sessile, very long and narrow. The leaves and stems are pale blue and completely glabrous.
Habitat
The plant is indigenous to the northern hemisphere and the southwest U.S.
Production
True Toadflax is the flowering herb of Linaria vulgaris.
Other Names
Fluellin, Pattens and Clogs, Flaxweed, Ram-sted, Snapdragon, Churnstaff, Dragon-Bushes, Brideweed, Toadpipe, Yellow Rod, Larkspur Lion’s Mouth, Devil’s Ribbon, Eggs and Collops, Devil’s Head, Pedlar’s Basket, Gallwort, Rabbits, Doggies, Calves’ Snout, Eggs and Bacon, Buttered Haycocks, Monkey Flower, Butter and Eggs, Pennywort
Actions and Pharmacology
Compounds
Iridoide monoterpenes: chief component – antirrhinoside
Flavonoids: including among others linarin, pectolinarin, linariin (pectolinarigenin-7-rhamnoglucoside- acetate) *
Aurones: including among others aureusin, bracteatin-6-O-glucoside
Quinazoline alkaloids: peganine (vasicin)
Effects
The main active agents are the flavon glycosides linarin and pectolinarin, pectin, phytosterol, tannic acid and vitamin C.
The drug is anti-inflammatory. Diaphoretic and diuretic effects have been documented.
Indications and Usage
Unproven Uses
Yellow Toadflax is used internally to aid digestion problems and urinary tract disorders.
Externally, the herb is used for hemorrhoids, ablution of festering wounds, skin rashes and ulcus cruris.
Precautions and Adverse Reactions
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages.
Dosage
Mode of Administration
The powdered form and the extract are used as a diuretic and a mild laxative (tea). Externally the herb is used in poultices.
Preparation
Tea infusion is prepared from 1 to 2 teaspoon-fuls of the drug and 2 to 4 cups of boiling water left to draw for 18 minutes.
Daily Dosage
Drink the tea during the course of the day.
Lupinus luteus
Medicinal Parts
The medicinal parts are the seeds and the aerial parts of the plant.
Flower and Fruit
The terminal flowers are almost sessile. They are arranged in numerous, distinct whorls. They have dropping, silky-haired bracts. The corolla is bright yellow with a blunted boat-shaped tip. The fruit is an oblong-lanceolate, 5 to 7 cm by 1 cm, densely pubescent pod with nodes. It contains 4 to 7 yellowish, reddish-white, black or dark violet marbled seeds 5.5 to 6.5 mm long.
Leaves, Stem and Root
The plant is an annual with up to a 1 m long taproot, which contains numerous lateral roots. The stem is light green and pubescent with numerous side shoots. The 5 to 10 leaves are oblong-obovate to lanceolate, 4 to 8 cm long, acuminate and pubescent on both sides.
Habitat
The plant is indigenous to Europe, Asia, and North and South America.
Production
Lupin herb and seeds are the aerial part and seeds of Lupinus luteus and other Lupinus species.
Actions and Pharmacology
Compounds: in the Foliage
Quinolizidine alkaloids (0.6-1.6%): sparteine (55-70%), lupinine (20-30%), p-cumaroyllupinine (10%>); in cultivated strains (sweet lupins), alkaloid content is 0.01-0.8%>
Compounds: in the Seeds
Quinolizidine alkaloid (0.4-3.3%): lupinine (60%o), sparteine (30%>); in some cultivated strains, gramine; in cultivated strains (sweet lupins), alkaloid content is less than 0.1%
Fatty oil (4-6%)
Carbohydrates: including stachyose (6%>)
Proteins (36-48%)
Effects
There has been no research on the effects of the drug; however, an anthelmintic effect has been established for the constituents lupinin and benzolylupinin.
Indications and Usage
Unproven Uses
Yellow Lupin is used externally for ulcers. It is used internally for urinary tract disorders and worm infestation.
Precautions and Adverse Reactions
See Overdosage section.
Overdosage
Symptoms of poisoning include salivation, swallowing difficulties, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, hypocyclosis, double vision, cardiac rhythm disorders and prickling sensation in the extremities. In cases of severe poisoning, symptoms include ascending paralysis and possible death through respiratory failure within a few hours. The intake of a single seed of a bitter lupin is said to be toxic for a child. In one case, a small child died following intake of several seeds. The intake of more than one pod of the plant or 10 seeds by an adult is said to trigger vomiting and should be treated with administration of activated charcoal. Following gastrointestinal emptying (inducement of vomiting, gastric lavage with burgundy-colored potassium permanganate solution, sodium sulfate) and installation of activated charcoal, the therapy for severe poisonings consists of electrolyte substitution, treating possible cases of acidosis with sodium bicarbonate infusions, and administering orciprenaline or lidocaine for cardiac rhythm disorders. In case of shock, plasma volume expanders should be administered. Intubation and oxygen respiration may also be necessary.
The lupinosis seen in animals is caused by mycotoxins.that are formed from the fungus Phomopsis leptostromiformis, which can live as an endophyte in lupins.
Dosage
Mode of Administration
The drug is used internally as an infusion, and externally in poultices.
Gelsemium sempervirens
Medicinal Parts
The medicinal part of the plant is the dried rhizome with the roots.
Flower and Fruit
Yellow, strongly perfumed, 2.5 to 4 cm, funnel-shaped, long flowers grow in axillary or terminal cymes of 2 to 5 blooms. The fruit consists of 2 separable, connected pods containing numerous flat-winged seeds.
Leaves, Stem and Root
The plant is a perennial evergreen vine on a tortuous, smooth root with a thin bark and woody center, showing broad medullary rays. The stem is slender, woody and up to 6 m high. The leaves are opposite, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, short-stemmed, entire-margined, 2.5 to 10 cm long, dark green above and paler green beneath.
Habitat
The plant is indigenous to southern North America, along the coast from Virginia to Florida and Mexico.
Production
Gelsemium root consists of the rhizome and roots of Gelsemium sempervirens.
Not to be Confused With
The plant should not be confused with yellow flowering Jasmine (Jasminum odoratissimum), which is also called True Yellow Jasmine or Gelsemium.
Other Names
Gelsemin, Woodbine, Yellow Jasmine, False Jasmin
Actions and Pharmacology
Compounds
Indole alkaloids: main alkaloid gelsemin, including among others 21-oxygelsemine, gelsemicin, gelsidin, gelsevirin, sempervirin
Hydroxycoumarins including scopoletine (gelseminic acid), fabiatrin
Anthracene derivatives: emodin monomethyl ether
Effects
In animal tests, the following effects on the autonomic nervous system have been documented: inhibition of cholin-esterase; cardiac-circulatory effects (vasodilatory, hypoten-sive); a bronchodilatory effect on respiration; an effect on the smooth muscle; and an analgesic effect, as well as mydriasis ” on rabbits’ eyes.
Indications and Usage
Unproven Uses
The drug is used for neuralgia, headache, gastric disorders, nervous stomach, feelings of fullness and heartburn.
Contraindications
Particular dangers are associated with administration of the drug in the presence of cardiac weakness.
Precautions and Adverse Reactions
Health risks following the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded. The following side effects could appear: heaviness of the eyelids, inhibition of movement of the eyeball, double vision, hypocyclosis, dryness of the mouth and vomiting. Particular dangers lie with administration in the presence of cardiac weakness.
Overdosage
Poisonings through overdosages, sometimes with fatal outcome, are possible. Extracts corresponding to approximately 0.5 g of the drug can kill a child, 2 to 3 g can be fatal for an adult. Initial side effects can include heaviness of the eyelids, inhibition of movement of the eyeball, double vision, hypocyclosis, dryness of the mouth, swallowing difficulties or vomiting. They may progress to symptoms of poisoning that can include headache, dizziness, loss of speech ability, vision weakness or double vision, pupil enlargement, trembling of the limbs, paralysis or stiffening of the muscles, cyanosis, shortness of breath and coma.
The therapy for poisonings, following stomach emptying (gastric lavage with burgundy-colored potassium permanganate solution), consists of prophylaxis for shock, diazepam for spasms, electrolyte replenishment and sodium bicarbonate infusions for any acidosis that may arise. Intubation and oxygen respiration may also be necessary.
Dosage
Medicinal preparations are obsolete. Yellow Jessamine is currently used in homeopathic dilutions only.
Gentiana lutea
Medicinal Parts
The medicinal parts of the plant are the dried or fresh underground plant organs.
Flower and Fruit
The flowers are yellow, terminal, pedicled and axillary in cyme-like false whorls. The calyx is deeply divided in 2. The corolla is rotate and divided almost to the base into 5 or 6 lanceolate tips. There are 5 stamens with 8 mm long anthers and 1 superior ovary. The fruit is 6 cm long and capsule shaped. The numerous seeds are flat, oblong or round, with a membranous edge.
Leaves, Stem and Root
Yellow Gentian is a completely glabrous perennial plant that grows to 140 cm high. The rhizome has a number of heads, and the top of the rhizome can attain the thickness of an arm. The main root is a taproot, which grows up to 1 m long. The stem is round, unbranched, hollow and grooved in the upper region to finger thickness. The leaves are elliptical, bluish-green, have strongly curved ribs and grow up to 30 cm long and 15 cm wide.
Characteristics
The drug has a weak, sweetish odor. It tastes metallic/sweet at first, then bitter.
Habitat
The plant is indigenous to the mountainous regions of central and southern European, and cultivated in many other regions.
Production
The roots are collected from spring through October, cleaned and swiftly dried. Extended, slower drying causes the roots to ferment. The roots become brittle through drying, swollen and spongy through contact with moisture.
Not to be Confused With
The roots of Rumex alpinus or Gentiana asclepiadea
Other Names
Bitter Root. Bitterwort, Gentian Root, Pale Gentian
Actions and Pharmacology
Compounds
Iridoide monoterpenes (bitterprinciples): amarogentin (determines the value), gentiopricroside, swertiamarine, sweroside
Monosaccharides/Oligosaccharides: saccharose, gentianose (somewhat bitter), gentiobiose (bitter)
Pyrridine alkaloids
Xanthone derivatives (colored yellow): including gentisin, gentisein, isogentisin, l,3J-«”imefhoxyxanthone
Volatile oil (traces)
Effects
The essential active principles are the bitter substances contained in the herb. These bring about a reflex stimulation of the taste receptors, leading to increased secretion of saliva and the digestive juices. Gentian root is therefore considered to be not simply a pure bitter, but also a roborant and tonic. There is also a possible cholagogic effect, although it is not clear if the mode of action is sensory-reflexive. In addition, a fungistatic effect has been proven for the gentian extract.
Indications and Usage
Approved by Commission E:
• Dyspeptic complaints
• Loss of appetite
Unproven Uses
Folk medicine uses of the drug include as a tonic and in teas to stimulate bile secretion and alleviate loss of appetite, fullness and flatulence.
Homeopathic Uses
Yellow Gentian is used in homeopathy for digestive disorders.
Contraindications
The drug’s stimulation of gastric juice secretion rules out its administration in the presence of stomach or duodenal ulcers.
Precautions and Adverse Reactions
Health risks or side effects following the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded.
Dosage
Mode of Administration
Comminuted drug and dried extracts for infusions and teas. Forms of commercial pharmaceutical preparations include digestives, drops and coated tablets.
Preparation
Tea is prepared by pouring boiling water over 1/2 teaspoon of the drug (1 to 2 g) and allowing it to steep for 5 to 10 minutes. The tea may be sweetened with honey to alleviate the bitter taste. Decoctions are made using 1 g of the drug to 1 cup boiled water.
Daily Dosage
The average single dose is 1 g of the drug; daily dose is 2 to 4 g. The average daily dose of tincture is 1 to 4 ml 3 times daily. Liquid extract: 2 to 4 g; root: 2 to 4 g. A one-cup dose of cold or lukewarm tea is taken several times a day, including 1/2 hour before meals.
Homeopathic Dosage
5 drops, 1 tablet or 10 globules every 30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic); parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc acute, 3 times, daily: chronic: once a day (HAB1)
Storage
The drug must be stored away from light sources.
Rumex crispus
Trade Names
Yellow Dock (available from a number of manufacturers), Yellowdock, Alcohol Free Yellow Dock, Yellow Dock Root, Wild Countryside Yellow Dock Root
Medicinal Parts
The medicinal parts are the fresh and dried roots.
Flower and Fruit
The green androgynous flowers are in panicles. The inner tips of the perigone are entire-margined, orbicular or ovate. When the fruit ripens they are slightly longer than wide. Otherwise die flower is the same as R. acetosa in that there is a 6-tepalled perigone. The inner tepals are longer than the outer ones and grow closer together. When the fruit ripens they are usually red-tinged, membranous, entire-margined and have a downward curved, scalelike welt at the base. The outer 3 tips are revolute. There are 6 stamens and 3 styles with paintbrush-like stigmas. The fruit is a triangular, brown-black nut, which is enclosed by the wing-like enlarged inner tepal.
Leaves, Stem and Root
The plant is about 100 cm high and has a carrot-like rhizome. The roots are 20 to 30 cm long, about 1.25 cm thick, fleshy and are not usually branched. The roots are rusty brown on the outside, whitish on the inside and have a relatively thick bark. The stems are angular, grooved and usually branched from the base up. The lower leaves are large and have flat petioles. They are supported at the base or almost cordate, lanceolate acute, undate-curly at the margins and alternate. The upper leaves are smaller and narrow-lanceolate.
Habitat
The plant is indigenous to Europe and Africa, but grows wild in many regions of the world.
Production
Yellow Dock root is the fresh root harvested in spring from Rumex acetosa.
Other Names
Curled Dock
Actions and Pharmacology
Compounds
Oxalates: oxalic acid, calcium oxalate
Tannins (3-6%)
Flavonoids: including among others, quercitrin
Anthracene derivatives (0.9-2.5%): anthranoids, agly cones physcion, chryosphanol, emodin, aloe-emodin, rhein, their glucosides
Naphthalene derivatives: neopodin 8-glucoside, lapodin
Effects
No documentation is available, but laxative, alterative and mildly tonic characteristics have been attributed to Rumex crispus.
Indications and Usage
Unproven Uses
Yeliow Dock is used for acute and chronic inflammation of the nasal passages and respiratory tract. It is also used as an adjuvant in antibacterial therapy. The plant has traditionally been used like the Red Dock (R. aquatica) for its similar properties, in decoctions for scurvy and other skin_eruptions, and as a ‘blood cleanser.’ It is also used as an astringent for hemorrhoids and pulmonary bleeding. It has been used as a remedy for jaundice and a tonic for the stomach.
Homeopathic Uses
Uses in homeopathy include inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, asthmatic conditions, tracheal cough and morning diarrhea.
Precautions and Adverse Reactions
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages. However, mucus membrane irritation, accompanied by vomiting is possible following intake of the fresh rhizome, due to its anthrone content. The anthrones are oxidized to anthraquinones after dehydration and storage.
Overdosage
Oxalate poisonings are conceivable primarily with the consumption of numerous leaves eaten as salad. One case of death following consumption of a soup made from the leaves of the curled Yellow Dock has been described.
Dosage
Mode of Administration
Preparations are available in ground form or as an extract.
How Supplied:
Capsules — 500 mg, 505 mg
Liquid IT
Achillea millefolium
Trade Names
Yarrow Flowers, Yarrow Extract, Alcohol-Free Yarrow Flowers
Medicinal Parts
The dried flower clusters and above-ground parts of the herb are used medicinally.
Flower and Fruit
The plant has white, pink or purple composite flowers in dense cymes with small capitula. The bracts are imbricate, long, thorn-tipped and taper to a point. There are 5 white female florets. The disc florets are tubular, yellowish-white and androgynous. The fruit is 1.5 to 2 mm long.
Leaves, Stem and Root
AchiUea millefolium are 0.1 to 1.5 m high plants with hardy, horizontal rhizomes, which grow from underground runners. The stem is simple, erect and hairy. The leaves are lanceolate and multi-pinnate with short acute tips.
Habitat
The numerous subspecies of the AchiUea millefolium group are found in various regions. They mainly grow in regions of eastern, southeastern and central Europe, as well as on the southern edge of the Alps from Switzerland to the Balkans.
Production
Yarrow herb consists of the fresh or dried, above-ground parts of Achillea millefolium, harvested at flowering season. Yarrow flower consists of the dried inflorescence of AchiUea millefolium.
Other Names
Band Man’s Plaything, Bloodwort, Carpenter’s Weed, Devil’s Nettle, Devil’s Playtning, Milfoil, Nose Bleed, Old Man’s Pepper, Sanguinary, Soldier’s Wound-wort, Staunchweed, Thousand Weed, Yarroway, Thousand Seal, Noble Yarrow, Knight’s Milfoil
Actions and Pharmacology
Compounds
Volatile oil (0.2-1.0%): chief components (rendered through steam distillation) are chamazulene (blue, 6-19%, maximum 40%), camphor (up to 20%), beta-pinene (up to 23%), 1,8-cineole (up to 10%), caryophyllene (up to 10%), alpha-pinene (up to 5%), isoartemisiaketon (up to 8%). The composition depends greatly on the variety, and the volatile oil of some strains is free of chamazulene.
Sesquiterpene lactones: Mainly guaianolides including, achillicin, 8-alpha-angeloyloxy-lO-epi-artabsin, 2,3-dihydro-desacetoxy-matricin, alpha-peroxyachifolide. There are also germacranolides such as millefoild and 3-oxaguaianolides. Some sesquiterpenes are transformed through steam distillation into chamazulene (proazulenes).
Polyynes: including pontica epoxide
Alkamids: including tetradeca-4,6-diin-10,12-dien acetyl isobutylamides
Flavonoids: including apigenine-7-O-glucoside, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, rutin
Betaine: including L-stachydrine, L-hydrostachydrine (betonicine)
Effects
The herb has a cholagogue (stimulates the flow of bile) effect due to the guaianolide and germacranolide content. The flavonoid content exerts a spasmolytic effect, while the proazulene fraction has an anti-edema and anti-inflammatory effect. The effect probably results from the interaction of various structured bonds with the chamazulene and flavonoids. The plant has similar effects to those observed in Chamomile flowers, since some of their components are identical.
Indications and Usage
Approved by Commission E:
• Loss of appetite
• Dyspeptic complaints
• Liver and gallbladder complaints
Unproven Uses
Externally, the herb is used as a site bath for painful, cramp-like conditions of psychosomatic origin in the lower part of the female pelvis. Yarrow is also used externally as a palliative treatment for liver disorders and for the healing of wounds. In folk medicine, it is used for bleeding hemorrhoids, menstrual complaints, and as a bath for the removal of perspiration. It is contained in other cholagogic preparations and biliary tract therapeutic agents. It is also used as an adjuvant in preparations for many other indications such as laxatives, cough treatments, gynecological agents, cardiac agents and preparations for varicose veins.
Homeopathic Uses
AchiUea millefolium is used in varicose veins, arterial bleeding, convulsions.
Contraindications
Contraindications include allergy to Yarrow and other composites.
Precautions and Adverse Reactions
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages. The drug possesses a weak to medium-severe potential for sensitization resulting in contact dermatitis. The main compound responsible for the sensitization is a sespuiterpene lactone, alpha-peroxyachfolid.
Pregnancy
The drug is not to be used during pregnancy.
Dosage
How Supplied:
Capsules — 340mg, 350 mg
LiquidA — 1:1, 250 mg/ml
Mode of Administration
As a comminuted drug for teas and other galenical preparations for internal use and for site baths. The pressed juice of fresh plants is used internally. The drug is contained in standardized preparations of cholagogic and gallbladder therapeutics and as an adjunct in many other preparations, such as laxatives, antitussives, gynecological products, cardiac remedies and preparations for varicose veins.
Preparation
To make a tea, place 2 gm of finely cut drug in boiling water, cover, leave to steep for 10 to 15 minutes, and then strain. For sitz baths, use 100 gm Yarrow per 20 liters of water.
Daily Dosage:
Infusion — 4.5 gm Yarrow herb or 3 gm Yarrow flowers.
Tea — A cup of freshly made tea to be drunk 3 to 4 times daily between meals.
External application — 100 gm Yarrow to be drawn in 1 to 2 liter of water for 20 minutes and added to the bath water.
Homeopathic Dosage
5 to 10 drops 1 to 3 times daily; 1 tablet or 5 to 10 globules: injection solution 1 ml 1/week sc (HAB1).
Storage
The herb must be protected from light and moisture. The essential oil should not be stored in synthetic containers.
