PDR for Herbal Medicines

104/BLACK PEPPER PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used

in Food Drugs and Cosmetics. John Wiley & Sons Inc., New

York 1980.

Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer

Verlag Heidelberg 1992.

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

Stuttgart 1997.

Leptandra virginica

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the dried rhizome

with the roots. The roots have a very different action

according to whether they are used fresh or dry. The dried

root is milder.

Flower and Fruit: The stems end in terminal, 15 to 25 cm

long spikes of white flowers.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a perennial herb, which

grows to about 120 cm high. The rhizome is horizontal,

cylindrical, branched and dark red to dark purple-brown on

the outside. The simple, erect stems grow in intervals of 1.2

to 3.2 cm from the rhizome. They are smooth and finely

downy. The leaves are whorled (4 to 7 in one whorl),

lanceolate, on short petioles, pointed and finely serrate.

Habitat: Indigenous to the eastern U.S. but grows elsewhere.

Production: Black Root and its rhizome are the complete

underground parts of Leptandra virginica.

Other Names: Bowman's Root, Physic Root, Hini, Oxadod-

dy, Tall Speedwell, Tall Veronica, Whorlywort, Culveris

Root

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil: composition unknown

Cinnamic acid derivatives: including among others 4-me-

thoxycinnamic acid, 3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid and their

esters

Tannins

The constituents of the drug have not been fully investigated.

EFFECTS
The drug has diaphoretic, carminative and cathartic effects.
It is also a cholagogue and a laxative.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Black Root is used for chronic constipation

and liver and gallbladder disorders. It is also used as an

emetic.

Homeopathic Uses: The drug is used for diarrhea and

inflammation of the liver and gallbladder.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper

administration of designated therapeutic dosages. The emetic

and laxative effects of the drug are used therapeutically.

DOSAGE

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

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

parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc, acute: 3 times daily; chronic: once

a day (HAB1).

LITERATURE

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 (unter Veronica virginica).

Lewin L, Gifte und Vergiftungen, 6. Aufl., Nachdruck, Haug

Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.

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

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und

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

York 1995.

Blackberry

Rubus fruticosus

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the leaves, roots

and berries.

Flower and Fruit: The white or sometimes pale pink flowers

are in cymes. The calyx is 5-sepaled, the corolla is 5-

petalled. There are numerous stamens and ovaries. The small

fruit forms a black or reddish-black aggregate fruit, the

blackberry.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a fast-growing, thorny

bush up to 2 m high. The generally blunt stems are densely

covered in tough thorns that creep or curve backward. The

leaves are usually 5-paired pinnate, glabrous above, and gray

to white tomentose beneath.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to Europe and has

naturalized in America and Australia.

Black Root