120 /BRITISH ELECAMPANE (XUAN-FU-HUA) PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINESINDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Indications in folk medicine include feel-
ings of fullness in the chest and diaphragm area, vomiting,
coughs and symptoms of the efferent urinary tract.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper
administration of designated therapeutic dosages.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Whole and powdered drug.
Preparation: The drug is roasted with a honey solution until
it is no longer sticky. A decoction is prepared by boiling 3 to
9 g drug in a sealed sachet.
Storage: Store in a dry place.
LITERATURE
Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Ed), Hagers
Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6
(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-
1994.
lijima K, Kiyohara H, Tanaka M, Matsumoto T, Cyong JC,
Yamada H Preventive effect of taraxasteryl acetate from Inula
britannica subsp, japonica on experimental hepatitis in vivo.
Planta Med, 61:50-3, 1995 Feb.Broad Bean
Vicia faba
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the fresh flower.
Flower and Fruit: The white or bluish short-pedicled flowers
have black spots on the standard. They are arranged in
groups of 2 to 4 in the upper leaf axils. The calyx tips are
uneven, with the upper ones shorter than the lower. The pod
is leathery and velvety on the flat surface. The seeds are
large, flat, ovate or oblong, and brown.
Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is 60 to 125 cm high. The
stem is erect and has no climbers. The leaves are pinnate and
the leaflets elliptical, fleshy, blue-green and terminate
acutely. The stipules are ovate and semi-saggitate.
Habitat: The plant is indigenous to the temperate regions of
the world.
Production: Broad Beans are the seeds of Vicia faba.
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Pyrimidine derivatives: vicine (vicioside, 0.4-0.8%), convi-
cine (0.1-0.6%)
Lectins: The isolectins mixture is referred to as favine
L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA, up to 8%)
Starch
Proteins (26%)
Tannins (2%)
EFFECTS
No information is available.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Formerly, Broad Bean flowers were used in
the treatment of coughs and kidney and genital complaints.
Externally, they are used as a poultice for skin inflammation,
warts and burns.Homeopathic Uses: An essence of the fresh plant after
flowering is used in homeopathy.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction
with the proper administration of designated therapeutic
dosages. Following division of the glycosides in the intestine
resorption and oxidation through dehydration of SH-groups
in the erythrocyte membrane, the pyrimidine derivatives can,
in high dosages, lead to hemolysis.
OVERDOSAGE
The intake of large quantities of raw or only briefly cooked
seeds can lead to queasiness, vomiting, diarrhea and feelings
of vertigo. In severe cases, overdosage may lead to acute
hemolytic anemia with fever, icterus, hemoglobinuria, oligu-
ria and anuria, particularly among individuals with genetical-
ly caused glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase deficiency
(inadequate protection of the erythrocytes by glutathione),
which is also known as favism. Favism is treated by
transfusion of washed erythrocytes and administration of
prednisone. Elevations in blood pressure are also possible
due to the L-DOPA content of the seeds.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Broad Bean preparations are now
obsolete.
LITERATURE
Chevion M, Maer J, Glaser G, Naturally occuring food
toxicant: favism-producing agents. In: CRC Handbook of
Naturally Occuring Food Toxicants, CRC Press, Boca Raton,
Florida. 1983.
Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der
Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8: Springer Verlag
Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.
Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
Vered Y et al., The influence of Vicia faca (Broad bean)
seedlings on urinary sodium excretion. In: PM 63(3):237-240.
1997.