PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS BLACK ALDER/89

LITERATURE

Frohne D, (1992) Solanum dulcamara L. - Der Bittersujie

Nachtschatten. Portrait einer Arzneipflanze. Z Phytother 14:

337-342.

Holzer I, (1992) Dulcamara-Extrakt bei Neurodermitis und

w chronischem Ekzem. Ergebnisse einer klinischen Priifung. Jatros

Dermatologie 6: 32-36.

JNP 56(3):430-431. 1993.

Kupchan SM et al., (1965) Science 150:1827.

Ronsch H, Schreiber K, Stubbe H. Naturwissenschaften 55:182.

1968.

Willaman JJ, Hui-Li L, (1970) Lloydia 33 (3A):1.

Willuhn G, Kothe U, (1983) Arch Pharm 316(8):678-687.

Willuhn G, Phytopharmaka in der Dermatologie. In: ZPT

16(6):325-342. 1995.

Wolters B, Antibiotische Wirkung von Solanum dulcamara. In:

Naturwissenschaften 51:111. 1964.

Wolters B, Der Anteil der Steroidsaponine an der antibiotischen

-. Wirkung von Solanum dulcamara. In: PM 13:2. 1965.

tr

Wolters B, (1965) Planta Med 13:189.

Further information in:

Frohne D, Pfander HJ, Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fur

Apotheker, Toxikologen und Biologen, 4. Aufl., Wiss.

Verlagsges. mbH Stuttgart 1997.

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.

Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.

Schulz R, Hansel R, Rationale Phytotherapie, Springer Verlag

Heidelberg 1996.

Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
^r, Verlag Heidelberg 1992.

Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

mbH Stuttgart 1997.

Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,

Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.

Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und

pflanzliche Homdopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New

York 1995.

Black Alder

Alnus glutinosa

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts of the plant are the

bark and leaves.

Flower and Fruit: Black Alder is monoecious. Male flowers

are arranged in stemmed catkins. Female flowers form ovoid

fruit, which turns woody and remains on the tree the whole

year.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plants grow as a shrub or tree

extending up to 25 m high. Black Alder has gray branches

and orange-colored wood. The obovate leaves have double-

serrate margins; the young leaves are very sticky.

Habitat: Black Alder originated in the damp regions of

Europe, Asia and North America. The plant now grows in

much of the Northern Hemisphere.

Production: Black (English) Alder bark is the bark and

branch rind of Alnus glutinosa. It is gathered from the shrubs

or trees growing wild.

Other Names: Common Alder, Owler, Tag Alder

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Tannins

Flavonoids: in particular hypericin

Steroids: beta-sitosterol

Triterpenes: especially alpha-amyrenone, lupenone, taraxer-

ol, glutenone

EFFECTS

The decoction is a tonic and has astringent and hemostatic

properties, which may be due to the tannins (20%), flavone

glycosides and triterpenes.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Black Alder is used as a decoction for

gargles in the treatment of streptococcal sore throat and

pharyngitis, and for intestinal bleeding. The bark is consid-

ered to be effective for intermittent fever.

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: Leaves and bark are prepared as

infusions and decoctions for internal and local use. Mention

is made of an ophthalmic powder.