HERBAL MONOGRAPHS BEHEN/67Wagner H, Sendl A, Barlauch und Knoblauch. In: DAZ
130(33): 1809. 1990.
Further information in:
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.
Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel. Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.
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.), Teedrogen. 4. Aufl.. Wiss. Verlagsges.
Stuttgart 1997.Beet
Beta vulgaris
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The root is the medicinal part.
Flower and Fruit: The flowers bloom in clusters of 2 to 4 in
panicle-like leafy inflorescences.
Leaves, Stem and Root: The beet is a 0.5 to 1.5 m perennial
with a swollen, edible tuber that is red or white. The large,
upright leaves have long stalks and grow in rosettes that arise
basally from the top of the tuber. They are deep green and
tinged with red.
Habitat: The Beet is indigenous to the coastal regions of
Europe, North Africa, and Asia from Turkey to India. Red
Beets, Sugar Beets and the white variety are all widely
cultivated.
Other Names: Chard
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Saccharose (up. to 27% in the pressed sugar beet)
Other oligosaccharides: refined sugar, ketose
Polysaccharides: including galactans, arabans, pectin
Fruit acids: including L(-)-malic acid, D(+)-tartaric acid,
oxaluric acid, adipic acid, citric acid, glycolic acid, glutaric
acid
Amino acids: including asparagine, glutamine
Betaine (trimethylglycine)
Triterpene saponins
EFFECTS
Beet is said to have antihepatotoxic effects; in animal tests,
the drug effectively keeps fat from depositing in the liver.
This is probably due to the herb's concentration of betaine,
which is a methyl group donor in the liver's transmethylation
process.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Beet is used as supportive therapy in
diseases of the liver and fatty liver.
Indian Medicine: The drug is used for coughs and infections.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction
with the proper administration of designated therapeutic
dosages.
OVERDOSAGE
Taking very large quantities could lead to hypocalcemia and
kidney damage because of the drug's oxaluric acid content.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Beet is available as a granular
powder in standardized form.
Daily Dosage: For the first 14 days, take 10 gm of drug after
meals throughout the course of the day. For long-term
treatment, the dose is 5 gm per day for at least 3 months.
LITERATURE
Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der
Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde 1-8, Springer Verlag
Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.Behen
Moringa oleifera
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts of the plant are the
leaves, bark, nuts and root, which have had numerous uses in
traditional medicine.
Flower and Fruit: The inflorescence is a leaf-axillary
panicle. The flowers are zygomorphic with their structures in
fives and a bowel-shaped receptacle. The sepals are linear-
lanceolate, irregular and revolute. The petals are spatulate,
veined, irregular and white or yellow. There are 5 stamens,
and a superior ovary developing from 3 fused carpels. The
firuit is a hanging capsule opening on 3 sides, up to 1.2 m
long and triangular with 9 ribs. The seeds are triangular, light
brown to black, with 3 thin, whitish wings, approximately
the size of a hazelnut.
Leaves, Stem and Root: The leaves of the tree are alternate,
30 to 60 cm long, and incompletely triple-pinnate. The