PDR for Herbal Medicines

96 /BLACK CURRANT PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Storage: Should be protected from light and moisture

BLACK CURRANT FRUITS

Mode of Administration: Black Currant fruit is available as

whole drug for internal use.

Daily Dosage:

Syrup — 5 to 10 ml, by the tablespoon, taken several times

daily, or eaten as jelly or sweets.

Gargle — with the juice and equal parts of warm water.

LITERATURE

BLACK CURRANT LEAVES

Kyerematen G, Sandberg F, (1986) Acta Pharm Suecica 23:101.

Lietti A et al., (1976) Arzneim Forsch 26(5):829.

Senchute GV, Boruch IF, (1976) Rastit Resur 12(1): 113.

Further information in:

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.

Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

Stuttgart 1997.

BLACK CURRANT FRUITS

Kyerematen G, Sandberg F, (1986) Acta Pharm Suecica 23:101.

Lietti A et al., (1976) Arzneim Forsch 26(5):829.

Senchute GV, Boruch IF, (1976) Rastit Resur 12(1): 113.

Further information in:

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.

Black Haw

Viburnum prunifolium

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the bark of the trunk

and the root.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers of the Viburnum species are
white and in richly blossomed, flat, apical cymes. The
central florets are campanulate and fertile; the lateral ones
are much larger, rotate and infertile. The calyx margin is
small and 5-tipped. The corolla of the fertile florets is
campanulate and 5-petalled. There are 5 stamens, a semi-
inferior ovary and 3 sessile stigmas. The fruit of the Black
Haw is a shiny, black, juicy berry. The fruit of Viburnum
opulus is red.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Black Haw is a deciduous tree 5 m

tall. It has gray-brown bark and green, grooved branches.

The leaves are opposite, petiolate, 3 to 5 lobed, roughly

dentate, green on both surfaces and softly pubescent beneath.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to the eastern and central

U.S.

Production: Black Haw bark is the bark of the trunk and

branches of Viburnum prunifolium.

Other Names: Stagbush, American Sloe, European Cranber-

ry, Cramp Bark, Guelder Rose, Snowball Tree, King's

Crown, High Cranberry, Red Elder, Rose Elder, Water Elder,

May Rose, Whitsun Rose, Dog Rowan Tree, Whitsun

Bosses, Silver Bells, Wild Guelder Rose

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Flavonoids: amentoflavon (a biflavone)

Triterpenes: including among others oleanolic acid, ursolic

acid as well as their acetates

Hydroxycoumarins: scopoletin, aesculetin, scoplin

Cajfeic acid derivatives: chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic

acid

Phenol carboxylic acids: salicylic acid, salicin

Tannins (2%)

Arbutin (traces)

EFFECTS

The drug has a spasmolytic and, to date, an undefined effect

on the uterus.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Black Haw is used for complaints of

dysmenorrhea.

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: An extract is used as a constituent

of a tea mixture made from Black Haw bark, Camomile

flowers, and Peppermint leaves.

LITERATURE

Handjieva N et al., PH 27:3175. 1988.

Horhammer L, Wagner H, Reinhardt H, Chemistry,

pharmacology, and pharmaceutics of the components of

Viburnum prunifolium and V. opulus. In: Botan Mag (Tokyo)

79(Oct/Nov.): 510-525. 1966.

Jarboe CH et al., (1967) J Med Chem 10: 448.