PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS

Schroeder H, Loesche W, Strobach H, Leven W, Willuhn G,

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two constituents from Arnica montana L. inhibit human platelet

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Heidelberg 1996.
Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
Veriag Heidelberg 1992.
Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Veriag Stuttgart 1994.
Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
Stuttgart 1997.
Tveiten D, Bruseth S, Borchgrevink CF, L hne K Effect of
Arnica D 30 during hard physical exertion. A double-blind
randomized trial during the Oslo Marathon 1990. Tidsskr Nor
Laegeforen, 111:3630-1, Dec 10, 1991.
Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und
pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Veriag, Stuttgart, Jena, New
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Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
Stuttgart 1997.

Arnica montana

See Arnica

Arrach

Chenopodium vulvaria

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The whole fresh, flowering plant has

medicinal properties.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are small, yellow-green and

inconspicuous. They grow in clusters in leafless, compact

spikes at the tip of the stem. The fruit is enclosed by the

involucre. The seeds are black and glossy.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is 15 to 40 cm high. The

stems are branched from low down. The leaves are broad,

rhomboid, entire-margined and petiolate. The whole plant is

floury-dusty.

Characteristics: Arrach has a distinctive unpleasant smell of

musty herring brine.

Habitat: Europe, northern Africa and the Caucacus

Production: Arrach is the complete flowering plant of

Chenopodium vulvaria.

ARROWROOT/43

Other Names: Stinking Arrach, Stinking Goosefoot, Dog's

Arrach, Goat's Arrach, Goosefoot, Stinking Motherwort,

Netchweed, Oraches

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Mono-, di- and trimethylamine : only in the fresh plant due

to their volatility

Betaine

Tannins

EFFECTS

No substantiated information is available.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Arrach is used internally and externally to

relieve cramps and as an emmenagogue.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages. The offensive smell often precludes continued use.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Arrach is used externally and as an

extract.

LITERATURE

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

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.

Arrowroot

Maranta arundinacea

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the starch from the

rhizome tubers and the dried rhizome.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are in pairs, 3.5 cm long and

pedicled. They have 3 green, lanceolate sepals and a white,

tubular-fused corolla with 1 hanging and two erect tips. The

stamens are in 2 circles; the first consists of 2 petal-like

staminoids, the second of 1 hood-like. There is 1 thickened

stamen partly developed like a petal. The ovary is inferior

and 3-sectioned. Only 1 carpel is developed. The fruit is 1-

valved and has 1 seed.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a herbaceous perennial,

1 to 2 m high with thin, reed-like, branched and cane-like

stems. The rhizome produces, along with the usual root, a

sturdy, fusiform, swollen, up to 8 cm thick and 35 cm long

tuber. The tuber is thickly covered with whitish, scaly

stipules. The leaves are obovate, light green, lightly pubes-