PDR for Herbal Medicines

68/BEHEN PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

leaflets are 12 to 20 mm long and elliptical. The branches are

slim.

Characteristics: The flowers are extremely fragrant, and the

leaves, root and fruit taste like horseradish.

Habitat: The tree is indigenous to India.

Production: Behen root is the fresh or dried root of Moringa

oleifera. Behen nuts are the ripe unpeeled seeds of Moringa

oleifera.

Other Names: Ben Nut Tree, Drumstick Tree, Indian

Horseradish

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS: BEHEN ROOT

Glucosinolates: 4-(alpha-L-rhamnosyloxy)benzyl glucosino-

late (ca. 1%), yielding 4-(alpha-L-rhamnosyloxy)benzyl

isothiocyanate following enzymatic segregation with myrosi-

nase, glucotropaeolin (ca. 0.05%), yielding benzyl

isothiocyanate

EFFECTS: BEHEN ROOT

The root is antimicrobial in effect, due to the mustard oils it

contains. Applied as a cataplasm, it triggers local hyperemias

due to the irritating effect of the isothiocyanates. Dried

extracts of the root are abortive and contraceptive in their

effect.

COMPOUNDS: BEHEN SEEDS

Glucosinolates (up to 9% in the defatted seeds): 4-(alpha-L-

rhamnosyloxy)benzyl glucosinolate, yielding 4-(alpha-L-

rhamnosyloxy)benzyl isothiocyanate following enzymatic

segregation with myrosinase

Phenol carboxylic acids: 1 -beta-D-glucosyI-2,6-dimethyl

benzoate

Fatty oil (20 to 50%): chief fatty acids oleic acid (60 to

70%), palmitic acid (3 to 12%), stearic acid (3 to 12%),

including as well behenic acid, eicosanoic acid, lignoceric

acid

EFFECTS: BEHEN SEEDS
The seeds are antimicrobial in effect, due to the mustard oils
they contain.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
BEHEN ROOT
Unproven Uses: The root has been used internally in folk
medicine for gastrointestinal complaints, epilepsy, paralyses,
cardiac and blood pressure disturbances, fever (particularly
intermittent), scurvy, dizziness and colds. External indica-
tions include gingivitis, worm diseases, snake bites, ab-
scesses, inflammation, rheumatism and poorly healing
wounds. Root paste has been used to treat worms, rheuma-
tism and headaches.

Indian Medicine: Indications have included smallpox and

rheumatism. Efficacy for rheumatism seems plausible be-

cause of the stimulating effect of the isothiocyanates.

Efficacy for the other indications has not yet been proven.

BEHEN SEEDS

Unproven Uses: Folk medicine indications for internal use

are constipation, warts and worms (Central America); for

diarrhea (Chad); for splenomegaly, colic, dyspepsia, fever,

inflammation of the skin, edema, diabetes, abdominal

tumors, paralyses and lumbago (Saudi Arabia). The seeds are

used externally for dandruff in Nigeria.

Indian Medicine: Behen seeds are used for fever and as an

aphrodisiac. Efficacy for these indications has not yet been

proven.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

BEHEN ROOT

No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper

administration of designated therapeutic dosages. The inges-

tion of larger quantities can lead to nausea, dizziness and

vomiting.

BEHEN SEEDS

No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper

administration of designated therapeutic dosages.

The single peroral administration of a dosage of 5 g of the

drug/kg body weight to a mouse led to hyperkeratosis in the

stomach and to liver cell steatosis. Administration of 22 to

50 mg/kg body weight, parenterally, of the glucosinolate

mentioned above proved to be fatal for mice.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

BEHEN ROOT

Behen preparations are contraindicated during pregnancy

because of their possible abortive effect.

DOSAGE

BEHEN ROOT

Mode of Administration: Preparations of the whole and

powdered root are administered internally and externally.

BEHEN SEEDS

Mode of Administration: Preparations of the seed are used

internally and externally.

LITERATURE

Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G OEd), Hagers.

Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6

(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-

1994.