PDR for Herbal Medicines

838 /YELLOW GENTIAN PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. AufL, Springer

Verlag Heidelberg 1992.

Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. AufL, Wiss. Verlagsges.

mbH Stuttgart 1997.

Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und

pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New

York 1995.

Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

Stuttaart 1997.

Yellow Jessamine

Gelsemium sempervirens

DESCRIPTION

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-mar-

gined, 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

Volatile oil

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 designat-

ed 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 out-

come, 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, trem-

bling 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 permanga-

nate solution), consists of prophylaxis for shock, diazepam

for spasms, electrolyte replenishment and sodium bicarbon-

ate 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.

LITERATURE

Frohne D, Pfander HJ, Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fur

Apotheker, Toxikologen und Biologen,

4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges. mbH Stuttgart 1997.
   Jensen SR et al., (1987) Phytochemistry 26(6): 1725.