PDR for Herbal Medicines

114/BONESET PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Habitat: The herb is indigenous to the eastern U.S.

Production: Boneset is the complete aerial part of Eupatori-

um perfoliatum.

Other Names: Agueweed, Crosswort, Feverwort, Indian

Sage, Sweating Plant, Teasel, Thoroughwort, Vegetable

Antimony

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Flavonoids: including eupatorin, astragalin, rutin, hyperoside

Sesquiterpene lactones: including eupafolin, euperfolitin,

eufoliatin, eufoliatorin, euperfolide

Jmmunostimulating polysaccharides (heteroxylans)

EFFECTS

The herb acts as an antiphlogistic, a diaphoretic and a bitter,

in addition to stimulating the body's immune system. In a

comparative study of the homeopathic preparation Eupatori-

um D2 with aspirin in the treatment of feverish catarrh, a

similar positive tendency was observed. In vitro, the

phagocytic action of granulocytes was increased.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: On rare occasions, Boneset is used in folk

medicine.

Homeopathic Uses: Boneset is used as a treatment for flu

and febrile diseases.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-

tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded.

Sensitization after skin contact with the plant is possible.

Older scientific literature (Lewin) calls attention to the fact

that the drug can lead to enhanced outbreaks of sweat and

diarrhea in therapeutic use.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Boneset is used in homeopathic

preparations and dilutions.

LITERATURE

Antibiotika und Immunabwehr. In: Symbiose 4(2):20. 1992.

Benoit PS et al., (1976) Lloydia 39:160.

Bohlmann F et al., (1977) Phytochemistry 16:1973.

Elsasser-Beile U, Willenbacher W, Bartsch HH, Gallati H,

Schulte Monting J, Kleist von S et al., Cytokine production in

leukocyte cultures during therapy with echinacea extract. In: J

Clin Lab Analysis 10(6):441-445. 1996.

Herz W et al., (1977) J Org Chem 42(13):2264.

Vollmar A et al., (1986) Phytochemistry 25:377.

Wagner H (1972) Phytochemistry 11:1504.

Roder E, Pyrrolizidinhaltige Arzneipflanzen. In: DAZ

132(45):2427-2435. 1992.

Woerdenbag HJ, Eupatorium perfoliatum L.- der

"durchwachsene" Wasserhanf. In: ZPT 13(4): 134-139. 1992.

Further information in:

Chan, EH et al., (Eds), Advances in Chinese Medicinal

Materials Research, World Scientific Pub. Co. Singapore 1985.

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

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

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used

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

York 1980.

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.

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

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
   Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und
   pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New
   York 1995.

Borage

Borago officinalis

TRADE NAMES

Borage Oil capsules are available from numerous

manufacturers.

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried Borage

flowers and the dried or fresh foliage, stems and leaves.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are in separate, terminal,

erect, leafy racemes. The calyx is divided almost to the base

into 5 rough-haired tips. The 1.5 to 2.5 cm wide corolla is

usually sky blue (occasionally white) and has a short tube.

The scales of the tube are white. The 5 stamens have a

broadened filament and a violet, spur-like appendage. The

anthers are black-violet. The style is thread-like with a head-

like stigma. The ovary is divided into 4 valves. The small nut

js elongate-ovate, about 7 to 10 mm long, light brown,

keeled, ribbed, warty and rough.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Borage is an annual, succulent,

bristly-haired herb, 15 to 60 cm high. The erect, vertically

grooved stems are covered in rough, whitish hairs. The

leaves are alternate, clasping, solitary, entire-margined and

hairy. They are also folded, curved in at the margins, green