PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS

Production: Bog Bean leaf consists of the leaf of Men-

yanthes trifoliata.

Other Names: Buck Bean, Bog Myrtle, Brook Bean, Marsh

Clover, Moonflower. Trefoil, Water Shamrock

^ ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

fridoide monoterpenes (bitter principles): chief components

7', 8'-dihydrofoliamenthin, additionally including among

others sweroside, loganin, menthiafolin, foliomenthin

Monoterpene alkaloids: including gentianin E

Flavonoids: including among others rutin, hyperoside,

trifolin

Hydroxycoumarins: scopoletin

Caffeic acid derivatives

Pyrridine alkaloids: including gentianine, gentianidine

Triterpene glycosides: lupeol, beta-amyrenol, betulin, betu-

linic acid, alpha-spinasterol, stigmast-7-enol

^ EFFECTS

The drug stimulates saliva and gastric juice secretion. An

antimicrobial effect has been demonstrated in vitro.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

• Dyspeptic complaints


• Loss of appetite

Because it is a bitter and promotes gastric secretion, the drug

is used for loss of appetite and peptic discomfort.

Unproven Uses: Folk medicine uses, particularly in Europe-

an countries, include diseases of the digestive system and

fevers.

Chinese Medicine: Insomnia, weak stomach and intestines,

spleen disorders, intermittent fever, headache, breathing

difficulties, amenorrhea, ear ache, jaundice, edema, gout,

scabies and furuncles are among the applications in Chinese

medicine.

CONTRAINDICATIONS
JP* Use of the drug is contraindicated for patients with diarrhea,
dysentery or colitis.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages.

OVERDOSAGE

Symptoms of overdose include vomiting and diarrhea.

BOG BILBERRY/111

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Comminuted herb for teas and

other bitter-tasting preparations for internal use.

Preparation: Pour boiling water over 0.5 to 1 g of the finely

cut drug (1 teaspoonful = 0.9 g) or place the drug in cold

water and bring rapidly to a boil. Allow either preparation to

steep for 5 to 10 minutes, then strain.

How Supplied: The drug is a component of standardized

preparations of various tonics.

Daily Dosage: The average daily dose is 1.5 to 3 g of the

drug. The dosage for the infusion is 1/2 cup, unsweetened,

before each meal.

LITERATURE

Battersby AR et al.. (1967) J Chem Soc Chem Commun. 1277.

Ciaceri G. (1972) Fitoterapia 43:134.

Janeczko Z et al.. A triterpenoid glycoside from Menyanthes

trifoliata. In: PH 29(12):3885-3887. 1990.

Junior P, Weitere Untersuchungen zur Verteilung und Straktur

der Bitterstoffe von Menyanthes trifoliata. In: PM 32(12): 112.

1989.

Phillipson JD, Anderson LA. (1984) Pharm J 233:80 et 111.

Swaitek L et al., (1986) Planta Med 6:60P.

Tumon H et al.. The effect of Menyanthes trifolita L. on acute

renal failure might due to PAF-inhibition. In: Phytomedicine

1:39-45. 1994.

Further information in:

Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Vol. 1., 2nd Ed.,

CRC Press Boca Raton 1975.

Kern W, List PH. Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

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

Nachdruck, Oeorg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

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

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
   Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
   Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
   Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
   Stuttgart 1997.
   Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
   Stuttgart 1997.

Bog Bilberry

Vaccinium uliginosum

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the dried ripe fruit.