PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS BITTER MILKWORT / 85

COMPOUNDS: BITTER CANDYTUFT HERB

Cucurbitacins: particularly cucurbitacins E and I

Flavonoids: including kempferol-3-0-arabinosido-7-0-

rhamnoside, kempferol-7-O-rhamnoside, quercetin-3-O-glu-

cosido-7-O-rhamnoside (high concentration in the flowers)

EFFECTS: BITTER CANDYTUFT HERB

The chief active ingredients of the fresh plant are cucurbita-

cins. A significant anti-edematous effect was exhibited in

animal experiments. Its nature as a bitter substance makes its

administration both as a choleretic and for stimulating the

secretion of gastric juices appear plausible.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

BITTER CANDYTUFT SEEDS

Unproven Uses: Folk medicine uses for the drug have

included problems with cardiac arrhythmia and

insufficiency.

Homeopathic Uses: Homeopathic uses include cardiac

arrhythmia and insufficiency.

BITTER CANDYTUFT HERB

Unproven Uses: Folk medicine usage includes digestion

problems.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

BITTER CANDYTUFT SEEDS

The drug is toxic, due to its cucurbitacin content. Symptoms

of poisoning could include vomiting, diarrhea, colic and

kidney irritation. Cases of poisonings, however, have not

been documented.

BITTER CANDYTUFT HERB

No risks are known in connection with the administration of

homeopathic dosages of the drug. The drug is mildly toxic

due to its (low) level of cucurbitacins. Symptoms of

poisoning could include vomiting, diarrhea, colic and kidney

irritation. Cases of poisonings have, however, never been

documented.

OVERDOSAGE

BITTER CANDYTUFT SEEDS

In case vomiting has not already occurred, gastric lavage

should be induced using burgundy-colored potassium per-

manganate solution and sodium sulfate.

.Following gastrointestinal emptying and installation of
activated charcoal, begin therapy for poisoning. Diazepam
(i.v.) for muscle spasm may be necessary, along with
electrolyte substitution and treatment for possible cases of
acidosis with sodium bicarbonate infusions. In the event of
shock, plasma volume expanders should be infused. Moni-
toring of kidney function is imperative. Intubation and
oxygen respiration also may be necessary.

DOSAGE

BITTER CANDYTUFT SEEDS

How Supplied: Commercially prepared pharmaceutical com-

pounds only.

Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet, 10 globules, every

30 to 60 minutes (acute) and 1 to 3 times daily (chronic);

parenterally: 1 ml sc: 3 times daily (acute); 1 ml sc once a

day (chronic) (HAB1).

BETTER CANDYTUFT HERB

How Supplied: Only available in commercial pharmaceutical

compound preparations.

LITERATURE

Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Ed), Hagers

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

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

1994.

Kowalewski Z, Wierzbicka K, Flavonoid compounds in the

blossoms of Iberis amara, L Planta Med, 20:328-39. 1971 Dec.

Uhlenbruck G, Dahr W, Studies on lectins with a broad

agglutination spectrum. XII. N-acetyl-D-galactosamine specific

lectins from the seeds of Soja hispida, Bauhinia purpurea. Iberis

amara, Moluccella laevis and Vicia graminea. Vox Sang,

21:338-51, 1971 Oct.

Bitter Milkwort

Polygala amara

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the flowering plant

with root.

Flower and Fruit: The blue or occasionally white or pink

flowers are in many-blossomed racemes. Of the 5 sepals, the

2 lateral ones are large, petal-like, patent and 3-veined. The

other 3 are smaller; die middle vein is green. The 3 petals are

fused together with die stamens. These form 2 clusters in 2

green pockets on the larger, lower petal. The 2 upper petals

form a kind of upper lip. The ovary is superior and bilocular

witfi a spoon-like style. The fruit is an obcordate capsule,

compressed at die sides and enclosed in the sepals.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant grows from 5 to 15 cm

high. The stems are branched at the base, decumbent or

ascending. The basal leaves form a rosette, while the cauline

leaves are alternate, oblong-cuneate or obovate-lanceolate.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to Europe.

Production: Bitter Milkwort herb, including its roots, is die

complete plant of Polygala amara.