820 /WINTER CHERRYMadaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.
Teuscher E, Lindequist U. Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
Pharmakologie. 2. Aufl.. Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
Vessal M, Mehrani HA. Omrani GH, Effects of an aqueous
extract of Physalis alkekengi fruit on estrus cycle, reproduction
and uterine craetive kinase BB-isoenzyme in rats. In: ETH
34(l):69-78. 1991.
Volksen W. Zur Kenntnis der Inhaltsstoffe und arzneilichen
Verwendung einiger Physalisanen - Ph. alkekengi, Ph.
tranchettii. Ph. peruviana. In: DAZ 117(30): 1199-1203. 1977.
Yamaguchi H et al.. (1974) Yakugaku Zasshi 94:1115.Dita Bark
Drimys winteriDESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the dried bark of the
trunk and larger branches.Flower and Fruit: The flowers are solitary or in umbels and
often in clusters at the tips of the branches. They are fragrant
and white. The sepals are membranous, broadly ovate to
reniform. The 4 to 14 petals are also membranous, oblong to
narrow-ovate. The 15 to 40 stamens are in 2 to 4 rows. The 2
to 10 carpels are free, ovate or elliptical. There are 9 to 18
ovules on a short seed stalk. The fruit is berry-like, black to
violet, fleshy and usually contains 2 or 3 seeds.Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is an evergreen tree or
shrub, with brownish or gray wrinkled branches. The bark is
a romatic and smooth. The leaf blade is coriaceous, oblong-
ovate to elliptical, with a somewhat re volute margin. The
undersurface is usually punctate.Characteristics: Winter's Bark has an astringent taste and
mild smell.Habitat: The plant is found from central Chile to Cape Horn
and in neighboring Argentina.Production: Genuine Winter's Bark is the bark of Drimys
winteri. The bark is collected from the dried trunk or
produced from the stronger branches. It is collected in
uncultivated regions.Not to be Confused With: The drug is often confused with
Cortex Canellae albae and with the bark of Cinnamodendron
corticosum.
Other Names: Pepper Bark, Winter's Cinnamon, Wintera
Aromatica, Wintera
PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINESACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Sesquiterpenes: including drimenol, drimenin, confertifoline,
polygodial, isodrimenine, winterin, valdiviolide, fuegin,
futranolide, cryptomeridiol, 1 beta-p-cumaroyloxypolygodial,
a trimeric sesquiterpene lactoneVolatile oil: chief components eugenol, caryophyllene, 1,8-
cineol, pinenesEFFECTS
The drug has carminative, stomachic, and tonic effects due to
the sesquiterpenes (bitter effect) and tannins.INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: In South America, the drug is used for
toothache, as a stomachic and for dermatitis. Other uses
include digestive disorders, flatulence and colic.PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-
tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: As an infusion and domestic herb.
LITERATURE
Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H. Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers
Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6
(Drogen): Springer Verlag Berlin. Heidelberg, New York, 1992-
1994.
Hegnauer R, Chemotaxonomie der Pflanzen, Bde 1-11,
Birkhauser Verlag Basel, Boston, Berlin 1962-1997.
Morton JF, An Atlas of Medicinal Plants of Middle America,
Charles C. Thomas USA 1981.Wintergreen
Gaultheria procumbens
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts of the plant are the
leaves and the oil extracted from them, as well as the fruit.Flower and Fruit: The 7.5 mm long, solitary, hanging
flowers grow from the base of the leaves. They are white or
pale pink and campanulate. The fruit is the enlarged calyx.
The scarlet berries are dull red and about 0.5 cm in diameter
when dried. They are fleshy, globular, bilocular, and contain
numerous whitish, ovoid, flattened seeds.Leaves, Stem and Root: Gaultheria procumbens is a bushy
evergreen plant with procumbent stems and upright rigid
branches up to 15 cm high. It grows best under trees and
shrubs. The branches bear clusters of leaves at their tips. The