PDR for Herbal Medicines

82/BISHOP'S WEED

pinnate, the others are 2 to 3 pinnate. All of the leaves have

narrow linear or filform lobes.

Habitat: The plant grows in the Mediterranean region, and is

cultivated in the U.S., Mexico, Chile and Argentina.

Production: Bishop's Weed fruit consists of the dried, ripe

fruits of Ammi Visnaga.

Other Names: Khella, Khella Fruits, Greater Ammi

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Furochromones: particularly khellin, visnagin, khellol and

khellol glucoside

Pyranocoumarins: particularly visnadin and samidin

Flavonoids: including quercetin and isohamnetin and their 3-

sulfates

Volatile oil

Fatty oil

^ EFFECTS
The drug intensifies coronary and myocardial circulation,
acting as a mild positive ionotrope. It has an antispasmodic
effect on smooth muscles.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Bishop's Weed has been used for angina
pectoris, cardiac insufficiency, paroxysmal tachycardia, extra
systoles, hypertonia, asthma, whooping cough and cramp-
like complaints of the abdomen.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

Infrequently, a cholestatic jaundice (reversible) is observed

following administration of the drug. The drug also pos-

sesses a phototoxic effect.

OVERDOSAGE

Long-term use or overdose of the drug can lead to

queasiness, dizziness, loss of appetite, headache or sleep

disorders. Very high dosages, corresponding to over 100 mg

khellin, may cause elevated levels (reversible) of liver

enzymes in blood plasma.

DOSAGE

No information is available.

LITERATURE

Duarte J et al., Effects of visnadine on rat vascular smooth

muscle. In: PM 63(3):233-236. 1997.

Greinwald R, Stobernack HP, Ammi Visnaga - Das

Bischhofskraut. In: ZPT 11(2):65. 1990.

Le Quesne PW et al., JNP 48:496. 1985.

Martelli P et al., J Chromatogr 301:297. 1984.

PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Trunzler G, Phytotherapeutische Moglichkeiten bei Herz- und

arteriellen Gefa(3erkrankungen. In: ZPT 10(5): 147. 1989.

Further information in:

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

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

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

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.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

Stuttgart 1997.

Bistort

Persicaria bistorta

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the leaves and the

rhizome.

Flower and Fruit: The flowering stem terminates in a

compact, cylindrical, false spike of flesh-colored flowers

without a terminal bud. The pedicle is winged. The flowers

consist of 5 sepals, 8 stamens and an ovary with 2 to 3 styles.

The flowers are in pairs, one of which is complete, the other

only having a rudimentary ovary. Only the latter ripens. The

complete flowers can be cross-pollinated by insects. The

fruit is a three-seeded achene. The ripe seeds are small,

brown and glossy.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a perennial, 30 cm to 1

m high herb on a thick, somewhat flattened and twisted S-

shaped rhizome. The radical, oval leaves grow out of the

rhizome to form basal rosette leaves with cordate bases,

which are blue-green above and somewhat undulate.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to Europe, North America

and Asia.

Production: Bistort root and rhizome is the subterranean part

of Persicaria bistorta. The root-stocks of the older plants are

harvested, cleaned and freed from green parts and rootlets.

The stronger parts are then cut up, and this material is dried

in the sun.