PDR for Herbal Medicines

44/ARROWROOT

cent and short-petioled. They have long sheaths and up to 13

cm long and 6 cm ovate-lanceolate leaf blades.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to Central America and is

found today in all tropical regions around the world.

Production: Arrowroot is the rhizome of Maranta arundina-

cea. The drug itself is a white powder extracted from the

rhizome. The rhizome is washed, peeled and macerated, and

the starch is then extracted, using water in a process of

elutriation. The resulting starch mass is purified by repeated

sieving and dried in the sun.

Not to be Confused With: Cheaper starches, such as potato,

maize, wheat, or rice starch. These are often used as

substitutes.

Other Names: Maranta

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Starch (25-27%, with respect to the fresh bulbs): as

Marantae amylum, maranta starch, medicinal arrowroot

Other constituent elements are not known.

EFFECTS

Animal tests: In rats that received a Marantae-rich diet, a

reduction in the increase of the cholesterin levels in the aorta

and heart muscle was reported. The effect was put down to

an increased elimination of bile acids.

In humans, the drug is a demulcent and soothing agent.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Arrowroot is used as a nutritive (nutritional

food stuff) for infants and convalescents, a dietary aid in

gastrointestinal disorders, and also for diarrhea, especially in

pediatrics. In folk medicine, it is used in acute diarrhea.

Indian Medicine: Arrowroot is used in dysentery, diarrhea,

dyspepsia, bronchitis, coughs and as a particularly nourish-

ing food for children, the chronically ill and convalescents.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

witfi the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: The powder is boiled with water.

Storage: Arrowroot should be stored in tightly sealed
containers.
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.

PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Artemisia absinthium

See Wormwood

Artemisia cina

See Wormseed

Artemisia dracunculus

See French Tarragon

Artemisia vulgaris

See Mugwort

Artichoke

Cynara scolymus

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried whole or

cut basal leaves and the dried or fresh herb from the

artichoke.

Flower and Fruit: Globose, thorny capitual of lingual florets

grows at the end of the stem. The epicalyx is ovate to

globose. The bracts are fleshy and taper into a flattened

greenish or purple tip. The petals are blue, lilac or white. The

fruit is a pubescent achaene 4 to 5 mm in diameter and 7 to 8

mm long. It is flecked brown and glossy.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Cynara scolymus is a perennial plant

with a short rhizome and a strong, erect, glabrous stalk. The

stalk is up to 2 m high, thickly covered in lanceolate, prickly

pinnate to double pinnate leaves. The upper surface is bare

and light green; the lower surface is gray and tomentose.

Habitat: The plant is found in the Mediterranean region, the

Canary Islands and South America. It is cultivated

elsewhere.

Production: Artichoke root is the dried root of Cynara

scolymus. Artichoke leaf consists of the fresh or dried basal

leaves of Cynara scolymus. Artichoke is cultivated and dried

with extreme care.

Other Names: Garden Artichoke, Globe Artichoke