HERBAL MONOGRAPHSattacks. Higher dosages (over, 100 g of fresh mushrooms)
lead to unconsciousness, asphyxiation, coma and death.The treatment of poisoning includes emptying the gastroin-
testinal tract and the use of sedatives. In case of shock, a
, plasma volume expander should be used. Artificial respira-
tion should be administered for respiratory arrest.DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: In homeopathy, dilutions of the
mother tincture are used.LITERATURE
Hastings MH, et al.. Brain Res 360:248. 1985.
Hatfield GM, Brady LR, JNP 38:36, 1975.
Marmo E, Med Res Rev 8:441. 1988.
Schwarz B, Ein Mannlein steht im Walde. In: PZ 139(13): 1040.
1994.
Further information in:
Benjamin DR, Mushroom poisoning in infants and children: the
Amanita pantherina/muscaria group. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol,
256:13-22, 1992
Bresinsky A. Bresl H, Giftpilze. Ein Handbuch fur Apotheker,
Arzte und Biologen, Wiss. Verlagsges. mbH. Stuttgart 1885.
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,- Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
Agar
Gelidium amansiiDESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part of the plant is the
seaweed's gelatinous extract known as Agar or Agar-Agar.Flower and Fruit: This perennial seaweed grows up to 1 m
long. The thallus sprouts from a permanent base every year
and is heavily branched. It is cylindrical or flattened,
pinnately subdivided and tough. The brownish-white, trans-
lucent thallus has prickly appendages on the branchings. The
fruit is spherical.Characteristics: Agar is colorless and tasteless. It is capable
of absorbing up to 200 times its volume of water to form a
jelly.
AGAR/9Habitat: The plant is indigenous to the Pacific coasts of
Japan and China, Sri Lanka and also the South African
coasts.
Production: Agar, or Agar-Agar, is the purified and bleached
gel derived from algae mucilage of the Rhodophyceae
Gelidium amansii (Lamour), which has been dried and cut
into thread-like strips. An aqueous extract is obtained from
the algae through autoclaving (pressure-cooking), using
over-heated steam. It is then chilled in ice cells and cooled
into ice-blocks, which are crushed and thawed. Water
separates from the gel during the thawing process. The gel
mass is dried using warm air.Other Names: Agar-Agar, Japanese Isinglass
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Heteropolysaccharides: made up of D-galactose- and 3,6-
anhydro-L-galactose- components, partially bearing sulfate
or pyruvic acid residues, low-sulfate fraction designated
agarose
EFFECTS
The drug has a laxative effect due to its ability, similar to
that of cellulose, to absorb and retain large quantities of
water and swell in the intestine. The mucilaginous sub-
stances cause an increase in the bulk of the content of the
intestine that stimulates the intestinal muscles, thereby aiding
peristalsis.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: The drug is used as a mild laxative.
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 drug is used internally.
Daily Dosage: Laxative: Take 1 to 2 teaspoons of the
powder, always with some liquid, fruit or jam before meals,
1 to 3 times daily. Never take dry!
Storage: Dried Agar can be kept tightly sealed for up to 5
years without being opened and tested.
LITERATURE
Ataki C, Chem Soc Japan 29:543. 1956.
Franz G (Hrsg.), Polysaccharide. Springer Verlag Berlin,
Heidelberg, New York 1991.
Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der
Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag
Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.
Murano E et al., Pyruvate-rich agarose from the red alga
Gracilaria dura. In: PM 58(Suppl. 7)