HERBAL MONOGRAPHSHabitat: The plant is indigenous to central Asia and is
cultivated in Europe.Production: Buckwheat herb consists of the flower and
leaves of Fagopyrum esculentum, which are^5 harvested
(Q* during flowering season and dried. The harvest takes place
50 to 60 days after sowing and before the fruit forms. There
is a slight loss of rutin if it is quickly dried (20 to 40
minutes) at high temperatures (105° to 135° C).ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Flavonoids: rutin (up to 8% in the leaves), quercitrin,
hyperosideAnthracene derivatives (naphthadianthrones, chiefly in the
blossoms): fagopyrine (0.01%), protofagopyrineEFFECTS
Buckwheat increases the venous tone (antiedematic, capil-
lary sealing), which can be attributed to the rutin in the herb.INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: In folk medicine, the drug is used as a
venous and capillary tonic and as a prophylaxis to prevent
^ general hardening of the arteries. The drug alleviates venous
stasis and varicose veins.
Homeopathic Uses: Buckwheat is used to treat skin and liver
diseases with itching and headache.PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-
tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded.OVERDOSAGE
The intake of large quantities of the Buckwheat plant leads
to phototoxicoses in animals due to the photosensitizing
effect of the naphthadianthrones. There are no dangers for
humans in the application of therapeutic dosages.DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Buckwheat is taken orally as tablets
and in teas.Preparation: Follow package instructions for making Buck-
wheat tea.
I*
w Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet or 10 globules every
30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic); from
D6: parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc, acute, 3 times daily; chronic:
once a day (HAB1).
LITERATURE
Adamek B, Drozdzik M, Samochowiec L, Wojcicki J, Clinical
effect of buckwheat herb, Ruscus extract and troxerutin on
retinopathy and lipids in diabetic patients. In: Phytotherapy Res
10(8):659-662. 1996.BUGLE/125Anonym, Nicht-Brotgetreidearten: Alternative Korner unter der
Lupe. In: DAZ B6(38):3229-2330. 1996.
Bassler R, PA 12:758-772 et 834-841. 1985.
Couch JF, Naghski J, Krewson CF, Science 103:197-198. 1974.
Gaidies I, Buchweizen, eine Venenhilfe. In: PTA 6(7):439.
1992.
Hagels H et al.. Two anthraquinones and a bianthraquinone
from Fagopyrum tataricum. In: PM 62, Abstracts of the 44th
Ann Congress of GA. 125. 1996.
Ihme N et al.. Leg oedema protection from a buckwheat herb
tea in patients with chronic venous insufficiency: A single
centre, randomised, double blind, placebo controlled clinical
trial. In: European J Clin Pharmacol 50(6)443-447. 19%.
Koscielny J, Radtke H, Hoffmann KH, Jung F, Miiller A,
Griitzner KI, Kiesewetter H, Fagorutin-Tee bei chronisch
venoser Insuffizienz (CVI). In: ZPT 17(3): 145-159. 1996.
Samel D, de Witte P, Fagopyrins from Fagopyrum esculentum
and their PTK inhibitory activity. In: PM 61(Abstracts of 43rd
Ann Congr):67. 1995.
Further information in:
Hiinsel 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. (unter Buchweizen).
Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,- Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und
pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New
York 1995.
Bugle
Ajuga reptans
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the aerial parts
collected during the flowering season and dried.
Flower and Fruit: The flowers are 1 to 1.5 cm long. The
flowers are in spikes. They are located in the axils of
undivided bracts at the end of the stem. The 5-tipped, hairy
calyx is short-stemmed, erect, labiate and campanulate. The
tips are triangular and about as long as the tube. The corolla
is bright violet-blue, pink or white. It is downy-haired on the
outside with a long straight tube, which has a circle of hairs
under the stamen. There are 4 stamens with yellow anthers.
The 4 mericarps are 2 mm long and finely reticulate.