PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS

Other Names: Adderwort, Dragonwort, Easter Giant. Easter

Mangiant, Oderwort, Osterick, Patience Dock, Red Legs,

Snakeweed, Sweet Dock

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

^fe COMPOUNDS

Tannins (15-36%): chiefly catechin tannins, small quantity

of gallo tannins

Starch (in the root 30%)

EFFECTS

The active agents are the galenic tannin substance, starch,

catechin and silicic acid. Higher concentrations of the root

cause an increase in the formation of mucous. It is also an

astringent.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The herb is used in the treatment of

digestive disorders, particularly diarrhea and for internal

bleeding. Externally, it is used as a gargle for mouth and

throat infections and as an ointment for wounds.

Chinese Medicine: Preparations from the rhizome are used

for epilepsy, fever, tetanus, carbuncles, snake and mosquito

•j/t bites, scrofulous and cramps in the hands and feet.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Internally as a powdered drug for

infusion, or externally as an extract or ointment.

Preparation:

Infusion (internal) — Macerate 50 g drug in 1 1 water for 6

hours, percolate and sweeten as required (Penso, 1987).

Infusion (external) — Boil 60 g drug with 1 1 water for 15

minutes, percolate and cool (Penso, 1987).

Liquid extract — drug 1:1 in 25% ethanol (BHP83).

Tincture — drug 1:5 in 25% ethanol (BHP83).

Daily Dosage:

f§K Internal Dosage

Powder—in the form of 0.25 g gelatine capsules, 2 to 4

capsules every 3 hours.

Decoction—1 to 2 g for each decoction, 3 times a day.

Infusion—200 ml every 3 hours.

Liquid extract—1 to 2 ml 3 times daily.

Tincture—1 to 3 ml 3 times daily.

BITTER APPLE/83

External Dosage

Decoction—poultice applied every 2 hours.

LITERATURE

Gonnet JF, (1981) Biochem Syst Ecol 9(4):299.

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

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

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Penso G, Medico Farmaceutica, Milano, 1987.

Rao PRSP, Rao EV, (1977) Curr. Sci 48(18):640.

Bitter Apple

Citrullus colocynthis

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part of the plant is the dried

pulp.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are yellow and appear singly

in the leaf axils. The fruit is about the size of an apple. It is

yellow, smooth, dry and very bitter. When ripe, the fruit

contains white spongy flesh within the coriaceous peel, with

numerous ovate, white or brownish seeds. The seeds are 0.75

cm long and 0.5 cm wide, ovate, compressed, without an

edge, oily and somewhat shiny.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Bitter Apple is an annual similar to a

watermelon plant. The stems are leafy and rough-haired. The

leaves are alternate on long petioles. They are triangular,

divided, variously indented, obtuse and pubescent. The upper

surface is delicate green, the lower surface rough and pale.

Characteristics: Bitter Apple (the drug) is highly poisonous.

Habitat: Bitter Apple is indigenous to Turkey and southern

Mediterranean countries. It is also found in Sri Lanka, Egypt,

Syria and the Arabian Gulf.

Production: Bitter Apples are the ripe fruits of Citrullus

colocynthis that have been removed from the harder outer

layer.

Other Names: Colocynth Pulp, Bitter Cucumber

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Cucurbitacins: including cucurbitacin E-, J-, L-glucosides

Caffeic acid derivatives: chlorogenic acid

Fatty oil (in the seeds)

EFFECTS

Bitter Apple irritates the intestinal mucous membrane,

increasing liquid production.