PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS BLESSED THISTLE / 107

Homeopathic Uses: In Homeopathy Fucus vesiculosus is

used for obesity and goitre.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

General: Dosages above 150 gm iodide/day carry with them

the danger of induction or worsening of a hyperthyroidism.

For that reason, the drug should no longer be administered

due to its variable iodide content (0.03 - 1%). Allergic

reactions have been known to occur.

Pregnancy: Not to be used during pregnancy.

Drug Interactions: Bladderwrack has a hypoglycemic effect.

Theoretically, there may be an interaction with other anti-

hyperglycemic medications. Monitor patients carefully if

they are concurrently using glucose lowering agents.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Bladderwrack is available as drops

and fluid extract for internal use.

How Supplied: Fluid Extract: 1:1

Daily Dosage:

Infusion — single dose: 5 to 10 gm drug 3 times daily.

Extract — single dose: 4 to 8 ml 3 times daily.
Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet or 10 globules every
30 to 60 minutes (acute) and 1 to 3 times daily (chronic);
parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc acute: 3 times daily; chronic: once
a day (HAB34).
Maximum daily intake of iodine is limited to 120 Llg.
Storage: Should be protected from light.
LITERATURE
Beress A, Wassermann O, Bruhn T, Beress L, A new
procedure for the isolation of anti-HIV compounds
(polysaccharides and polyphenols) from the marine alga Fucus
vesiculosus. In: JNP 56(4):478-488. 1993.
Criado MT et al., (1983) IRC Med Sci 11(3):286.
Curro F et al., (1976) Arch Med Interna 28(1): 19.
Frohne D, Phytotherapeutika und Schilddruse. In: Intern Praxis
32(1)158. 1992.
Glombitza KW et al., (1977) Planta Med 32(1):33.
Glombitza KW, Lentz G (198'i) Tetrahedron 37(22):3861.
Phillips DJH (1979) Environ Pollut 18(1):31.
Quang-Liem P, Laur MH (1974) Biochimie 56(677):925.
Quang-Liem P, Laur MH (1976) Biochimie 58(11/12): 1367,
Stahl E et al., DAZ 115:1893. 1975.
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.

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

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

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

Verlag Heidelberg 1992.*

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

mbH Stuttgart 1997.

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

Stuttgart 1997.

Blessed Thistle

Cnicus benedict us

TRADE NAMES

Blessed Thistle is available from a number of manufacturers.

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The dried leaves and upper stems, includ-

ing the inflorescence, and the flowering parts of the plant.

Flower and Fruit: The blossom is a pale yellow composite,

its solitary flower sessile on the tips of the twigs. The florets

are tubular. The few lateral florets are sterile, have 3-part

borders and are smaller than the numerous androgynous

florets. The epicalyx is ovate. The inner bracts end in a long,

rigid and pinnatifid thorn. The outer bracts terminate in a

simple thorn. They are broad, leafy and connected with the

cordate-oblong leaflets of the epicalyx by numerous web-like

hairs. The fruit has a tuft of hair.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The thistle grows to 30 to 50 cm

high. The stems are heavily branched, thistle-like, villous

and glutinous pubescent. The leaves are oblong, emarginate

to pinnatifid, thorny-dentate, and roughly reticulate.

Characteristics: The plant has a strong and bitter taste.

Habitat: The thistle comes from southern Europe but is

cultivated in other regions of the continent.

Production: Blessed Thistle herb consists of the dried leaves

and upper stems, including inflorescence, of Cnicus

benedictus.

Other Names: St. Benedicts Thistle, Cardin, Holy Thistle,

Spotted Thistle

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Sesquiterpene lactone-bitter principles: chief components

cnicin, additionally, salonitenolide, artemisiifolin

Lignans (also bitter): trachelogenin, arctigenin, nor-

tracheloside