PDR for Herbal Medicines

122 /BROOM CORN •

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Preparations of the seeds' are used for

digestive disorders, but it is mainly used as a cereal grain.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Broom Corn can be administered as

an infusion, but is mostly used as a cereal grain.

LITERATURE

Erb N et al. PM 41:84. 1981.

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

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

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Seigler D, Cyanogene Glykoside (Vortragsref.). In: DAZ

132(25): 1365. 1992.

Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biclogie, Chemie,

Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.

Brown Kelp

Macrocystis pyrifera

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the thallus.

Flower and Fruit: This brown algae grows up to 100 m long.

Generations switch between sporophyte and gametophyte.

The haploid male or female gametophytes are tiny plantlets.

The 50 to 100 m long sporophyte is made up of root-like

rhizoids, a rope-like cauloid, and phylloids that are leaf-like,

coriaceous-thick sections with a large elongate to pear-

shaped air-bladder at the base. The rhizoids form a conical

adhesive disc of up to 1 m in diameter. The phylloids grow

up to 1 m long, are attached to the cauloid-like leaflets and

are covered with sporangia.

Habitat: Found along the west coast of United States
(primarily California) and along the coast of Chile.
Production: Brown algae thallus is the dried thallus, usually
only the phylloid, of Macrocystis pyrifera. (Macrocystis
integrifolia may be added.) The algae are harvested using
vessels called mowing ships.
Other Names: Giant Kelp, Long-Bladder Kelp, Sea Kelp
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Alginic acid (15 to 20%)

Polysaccharides: fucoidan, laminaran

PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Iodine (0.1 to 0.5%): to some extent organically bound

Proteins

Cyclitols: laminitol (4-C-methyl-meso-inositol)

Sugar alcohols: mannitol

EFFECTS

Brown algae thallus serves chiefly as a source of iodine. The

drug has also been demonstrated to have an influence on the

immune system, as well as antiviral qualities. In a study with

400 women, the daily intake of 5.5 g of macrocystis powder

over a period of 6 to 8 weeks led to an elevation of

hemoglobin levels of 86% over normal values. Although

licensed as a substance to aid weight loss, no adequate

experimental data are available to support that effect.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Folk medicine uses include weight reduc-

tion. The drug is used as a commercial pharmaceutical

preparation in the U.S. for anemia in pregnancy. In Japan the

drug is used for hypertension.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper

administration of designated therapeutic dosages.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Brown Kelp should not be used by individuals with a

familial disposition to thyroid illness or hyperthyroidism.

OVERDOSAGE

Long-term administration of daily dosages that exceed 150

micrograms iodine carry with them the danger of worsening

an existing hyperthyroidism. Quantities over 300 micro-

grams iodine per day can precipitate hyperthyroidism.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Brown Kelp preparations are

available for internal use.

Storage: Store in tightly sealed container.

LITERATURE

Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Ed), Hagers

Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6

OOrogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-

1994.

Zeller SG, Gray GR, Analysis of Macrocystis pyrifera and

Pseudomqnas aeruginosa alginic acids by the reductive-cleavage

method. Carbohydr Res, 226:313-26, 1992 Mar 30.

Brunfelsia hopeana

See Manaca