PDR for Herbal Medicines

818/WILD YAM PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Wild Yam is used industrially as an active agent in the half-

synthesis of steroid hormones and for the manufacture of

homeopathic preparations.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

General: Health risks or side effects following the proper

administration of designated therapeutic dosages are not

recorded.

Drug Interactions: There is evidence that the diosgenin

componant of Wild Yam may decrease the anti-inflam-

matory effect of indomethacin by increasing the elimination

constant and reducing plasma levels of indomethacin (Yama-

da et al, 1997). Wild Yam may have an additive estrogenic

effect when administered with estrogen containing drugs.

OVERDOSAGE

Poisoning is conceivable with overdosages because of the

picrotoxin-like effect of dioscorin (see Cocculi fructus).

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Liquid extract.

How Supplied:

Capsules—200 mg, 400 mg, 505 mg, 535 mg

Liquid—1:1; 1:2; 250 mg/ml

LITERATURE

Hegnauer R, Chemotaxonomie der Pflanzen, Bde 1-11,

Birkhauser Verlag Basel, Boston, Berlin 1962-1997.

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

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

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

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

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Willow Herb

Epilobium species
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the herb and the
roots of the drug containing Epilobium varieties.
Flower and Fruit: The flowers are arranged in long clusters
of crimson flowers. The receptacle extends over the ovary.
There are 4 sepals that are often colored and 8 stamens. The
petals are purple to pink seldom white or yellow. The style is
erect or curved downwards. The stigma is capitual or club-
like and has 4 grooves or is divided into 4. The fruit is long,
linear capsule-like, quadrangular, 4-valved and opens with 4
bending valves. The seeds are numerous and smooth or they
may be covered in tiny warts with a white, often short-
stemmed, tuft of hair.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The species includes perennial herbs

and occasionally up to 2 m high sub-shrubs with under-

ground creeping rhizomes. The stems are erect, glabrous or

covered with simple hairs or glandular hairs. The leaves are

entire-margined or dentate. They are alternate or opposite

and in whorls of 3, which are flat or occasionally with a

turned-back border.

Habitat: The plant is found all over Europe, Asia, Africa and

America. Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand.

Production: Willow Herb is the aerial part of Epilobium

parviflorum and other small-blossomed Willow Herbs. The

herb is dried in the open air in the shade.

Other Names: Blood Vine, Blooming Sally, Rose Bay

Willow Herb, Willow-Herb

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS: ANGUSTIFOLIUM VARIETY

Flavonoids: in particular myricitrin, isoquercitrin, quercitrin,

guaiaverin, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucuronide

Palmitate

Steroids: in particular beta-sitosterol and its ester, including

among others beta-sitosterol caproate

Tannins

COMPOUNDS: HIRSUTUM VARIETY

Flavonoids: in particular guaiaverin, hyperoside, myricitrin,

quercetin-3-0-beta-D-glucuronide,quercetin-3-0-alpha-L-

arabinofuranoside

Steroids: in particular beta-sitosterol

Tannins

COMPOUNDS: PARVIFLORUM VARIETY '

Flavonoids: in particular guaiaverin, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-

glucuronide, quercitrin

Palmitate

Steroids: in particular beta-sitosterol and its ester, including

among others beta-sitosterol caproate

Tannins

EFFECTS

Willow Herb is reported to have antiphlogistic and antiexu-

dative effects. A watery infusion revealed a significant

inhibitory effect on edema in rat paws. The methanol

infusion had a distinctly weaker effect.

Antimicrobial effects have also been demonstrated. A

suspension of the fresh drug in ethanol stunts the growth of

the bacteria of Pseudomonas pyocyanea. Tincture and the

liquid extract showed anti-microbial effect against Candida

albicans, Staphylococcus albus and Staphylococcus aureus.