PDR for Herbal Medicines

124/BUCKTHORN PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

OVERDOSAGE

The intake of large quantities of the fresh berries could lead

to European cholera or kidney irritation. The question of the

increase in probability of developing colonic carcinomas

following long-term administration of anthracene drugs has

not yet been fully clarified. Recent studies show no

connection between the administration of anthracene drugs

and the frequency of carcinoma of the colon.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Buckthorn is available in solid

pharmaceutical forms and in commercial compounded prep-

arations for oral intake. It is also available parenterally for

homeopathic use.

Preparation: To prepare a tea, pour boiling water over 4 gm

cut drug and strain after 10 to 15 minutes or put the drug in

cold water, bring to boil, boil for 2 to 3 minutes and strain

while still warm. (1 teaspoon corresponds to approximately

3.8 gm drug).

Daily Dosage: 2 to 5 gm drug corresponding to 20 to 30 mg

hydroxyanthracene derivative per day calculated as glucof-

rangulin A

Tea — 1 cup mornings and evenings.

The individual dose is the minimum dose required to

produce a soft stool. Administration should be limited to a

few days.

Homeopathic Dosage: from D3: 5 drops, 1 tablet or 10

globules every 30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily

(chronic); parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc acute: 3 times daily;

chronic: once a day (HAB1)

Storage: Buckthorn should be protected from light.
LITERATURE
Anonym, Abwehr von Arzneimittelrisiken, Stufe II. In: DAZ
136(38):3253-2354. 1996.
Anonym, Anwendungseinschrankungen fur Anthranoid-haltige
Abfiihrmittel angeordnet. In: PUZ 25(6):341-342. 1996.
BGA, Arzneimittelrisiken: Anthranoide. In: DAZ 132(21): 1164.
1992.
Belkin M et al., (1952) J Nat Cancer Inst 13:742.
Coskun M, Int J Pharmacogn 30:151. 1992.
Demirezer LO, Glucofrangulinanthrone A/B, deren
Oxidationsformen und davon abgeleitete Zuckerester aus
Rhamnus-Arten. In: Dissertation Universitat Frankfurt/Main.
1991.
Klimpel BE et al., Anthranoidhaltige Laxantien - ein Risiko fur
die Entwicklung von Tumoren der ableitenden Harnwege. In:
PUZ 26(1 ):33, Jahrestagung der DPhG, Berlin, 1996. 1997.

Rauwald HW Just, J-D, (1981) Planta Med 42:244.

Thesen R. Phytotherapeutika - nicht immer harmlos. In: ZPT

9(49): 105. 1988.

Further information in:

Frohne D, Pfander HJ. Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fur

Apotheker, Toxikologen und Biologen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlags-

Ges. Stuttgart 1997.

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.

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.
   Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
   Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
   Thomson RH, Naturally Occuring Quinones, 2nd Ed., Academic
   Press New York 1971.
   Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
   Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
   Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel. 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
   Stuttgart 1997.
   Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
   Stuttgart 1997.

Buckwheat

Fagopyrum esculentum

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the fresh aerial

parts, and the leaves and flowers collected during the

flowering season and later dried.

Flower and Fruit: Short, compact, long-peduncled thryses

form in the leaf axils and at the end of the branches. The

involucre is 3 to 4 mm long. It has 5 bracts, is pink or white

and usually green at the base. The floret has 8 stamens with

golden yellow nectaries at the base. The fruit is a sharply

triangular achaene.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Buckwheat is an annual 15 to 60 cm

high plant with an erect, usually red stem covered in

alternating, sagittate and sessile leaves. The lobes are obtuse

or rounded with sweeping borders. The lower leaves are

petioled, the upper ones less so. The root is fusiform. Tatar

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum), which is used in the

pharmaceutical industry, is easily distinguishable from

Fagopyrum esculentum by its green flowers, usually green

stems, and curved, dentated and squat achaenes.