PDR for Herbal Medicines

24/AMARGO PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

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

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
   Schulz R, Hansel R, Rationale Phytotherapie, Springer Verlag
   Heidelberg 1996.
   Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
   Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
   Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
   Stuttgart 1997.
   Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und
   pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena. New
   York 1995.
   Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrdgen. 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
   Stuttgart 1997.

American Adder's Tongue

Erythronium americanum

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the leaves and

tubers.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are terminal, large, hanging,

lily-like and are 2.5 cm in diameter. The bracts of the

involucre are sharply revolute, bright yellow and often tinged

purple and sprinkled at the base. There are 6 stamens. The

fruit is a fusiform nodule about 2 cm long.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant grows from a small, ovate

fern-colored corm to between 2 and 2.5 cm long. It is

perennial with a bulbous light brown root. The stem is thin

and about 25 cm high. There are only 2 leaves which are

lanceolate, and pale green. They have purplish or brownish

spots, are about 6 cm long by 2 to 3 cm wide, minutely

wrinkled and with parallel veins. The petioles are 5 to 7.5 cm

long.

Characteristics: The fresh leaves have emollient and anti-

scrofulous properties when applied as a poultice.

Habitat: The plant grows in the eastern U.S. as far south as

Florida and as far north and west as Ontario and Arkansas.

Production: American Adder's Tongue leaves are the fresh

leaves of Erythronium americanum.

Other Names: Dog's Tooth Violet, Erythronium, Lamb's

Tongue, Rattlesnake Violet, Serpent's Tongue, Snake Leaf,

Yellow Snakeleaf, Yellow Snowdrop

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactones: tuliposides

EFFECTS

When used internally, the drug is emetic. Externally it is an

emollient.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The plant is used externally for ulcers.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

The plant has a strongly sensitizing effect. Reciprocal

reactions occur with tulip, fritallaria, lily, alstroemeria and

Bomarea species. Nothing is known regarding health hazards

or side effects in connection with the administration of the

drug.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Fresh leaves are applied topically

as a poultice or administered internally as an infusion.

LITERATURE

Cavallito CJ, Haskell TR (1946) J Am Chem Soc 66:2332.

Hausen B, Allergiepflanzen, Pflanzenallergene, ecomed

Verlagsgesellsch. mbH, Landsberg 1988.

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

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

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,

Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.

American Bittersweet

Celastrus scandens

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the root and the

bark of the plant.

Flower and Fruit: The twining shrub is up to 8 m tall. The

leaves are 5 to 12.5 cm long, ovate to ovate-lanceolate and

serrate. There are numerous very small greenish flowers on

terminal racemes 10 cm long. The orange-yellow seed

capsules are 1 cm in diameter.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to North America.

Production: American Bittersweet root and bark are the root

and bark of Celastrus scandens.

Other Names: Waxwork, False Bittersweet

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Tannins

Celastrol (yellow quinoide nortriterpene)

EFFECTS

American Bittersweet has diuretic and diaphoretic effects.