PDR for Herbal Medicines

796 /WATER DROPWORT

EFFECTS

The pharmacologically active substances of the root drug are

the toxic oenanthotoxin and the less toxic polyacetylenes

oenanthetol and oenantheton. Oenanthotoxin caused an

irreversible inhibition of loading transfer and sodium inflow

at the nerve fibers of frogs.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Water Dropwort was formerly used in the

treatment of epilepsy, but this use can no longer be

recommended.

Homeopathic Uses: Homeopathic uses include epilepsy and

cerebral convulsions.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

Use of the drug can no longer be recommended because of

its severe toxicity, due to the oenanthotoxin content.

OVERDOSAGE

Symptoms of poisoning include a burning sensation in the

mouth and nose, dizziness, weakness, chill, mild twitching

and speech disorders. Higher dosages may produce tonic-

colonic spasms, temporarily slowed cardiac activity, uncon-

sciousness, bloody foam at the mouth and death through

respiratory failure.

Following gastrointestinal emptying (inducement of vomit-

ing, gastric lavage with burgundy-colored potassium per-

manganate solution and sodium sulfate), and the

administration of activated charcoal, the therapy for poison-

ings consists of treating spasms with thiobarbiturates (di-

azepam is said to be less effective); hemodialysis or

hemperfusion have been applied successfully.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: The drug is obsolete except in

homeopathy. ..

Homeopathic Dosage: Adult dosages are 5 drops, 1 tablet or

10 globules every 30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times

daily (chronic); from D4 parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc i.v., i. m.

acute, 3 times daily; chronic: once a day. Children up to 6

years old are given a maximum of half the adult dose;

children up to 12 are given a maximum of two-thirds the

adult dose (HAB34).

LITERATURE

Anet E, Lythgoe B, Silk MH, Tripett S, The chemistry of

oenanthotoxin and cicutoxin. In: Chem Ind 31:757. 1952.

Bohlmann F, Rode KM, Polyacetylenic compounds: CXVlI.

Polyynes of Oenanthe crocata. In: Chem Ber 101(4): 1163-1175.

1968.

Grindy HF, Howarth F. Pharmacological studies on hemlock

water dropwort. In: Brit J Pharmacol 11:225-30. 1956.

Mitchell MJ, Routledge PA, Hemlock water dropwort poisoning

• a review. In: Clin Toxicol 12(4):417-426. 1978.

PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Further information in:

Frohne D, Pfander HJ, Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fur

Apotheker, Toxikologen und Biologen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlags-

Ges. Stuttgart 1997.

Kern VV, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der (

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8. Springer Verlag

Berlin. Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Lewin L, Gifte und Vergiftungen, 6. Aufl., Nachdruck. Haug

Verlag. Heidelberg 1992.

Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel. Bde 1-3,

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Roth L. Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,

4. Aufl.. Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
   Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologic Chemie,
   Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.

Water Fennel

Oenanthe aquatica

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts of the plant are the ripe j

seeds.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are white and grow in many-

rayed compound umbels opposite the leaves. They have no

involucre but there is a small epicalyx. The calyx is distinct

with an irregular corolla and petals that have a distinct

border. The calyx narrows at the base and has an involute tip.

The style is long. The fruit is 5 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, with

5 broad obtuse ribs.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant grows from 30 to 120 cm

high. The stem is angularly branched, hollow and soft. The

lower end of the 3 cm thick stem, which grows underwater,

has long roots at the nodes. When the stem end reaches

above water, is grows to only 6 mm thick. The leaves are

double pinnate, pinnatifid to pinnatisect with splayed leaf-

lets, which are often turned backward and have lanceolate,

deeply indented-serrate tips. .The underwater leaves have a

thread-like tip.

Habitat: Found near ponds and ditches in both the U.S. and J

Europe.

Production: Water Fennel fruit are the ripe seeds of

Oenanthe aquatica, which are collected in the wild.

Not to be Confused With: Mistaken identity can occur with

Cicuta virosa, Sium latifolium or Perculanum palustre.

Other Names: Water Dropwort, Horsebane