130/BURNING BUSH PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINESBurning Bush
Dictamnus albus
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried and
occasionally the fresh leaves, the fresh or dried root, and the
fresh or dried root rind.Flower and Fruit: The flowers are terminal racemes and
pink with dark veins. They are large and irregular, with 5
sepals and 5 petals. There are 2 bracteoles that are slightly
zygomorphous. The 10 stamens are long, threadlike and bent
forward. The ovaries have 5 carpels fused at the base on a
short gynophore. The fruit is a capsule that bursts open into
mericarps ejecting the seeds.Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a 0.5 to 1.5 m high
perennial. Numerous erect, unbranched and sticky-glandular-
haired shoots grow from the root. The leaves are alternate.
odd, 7 to 11 pinnate and transparently punctuated with oil
glands.Characteristics: The plant has a strong lemon or cinnamon
fragrance. The oil is easily inflammable.Habitat: The plant is indigenous to central Europe and parts
of Asia, and is cultivated in the northern U.S.Not to be Confused With: Burning Bush herb can be
confused with that of the herb Dictamni cretici. Previous
sources cite a confusion between Burning Bush root and
Carophyllaceen root.Other Names: Fraxinella, Dittany, Gas Plant, DiptamACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS: BURNING BUSH ROOT
Volatile oil: chief components are the fraxinellone deriva-
tives, thymol methylether, beta-pinene, pregeijerene,
geijereneFuroquinoline alkaloids: including skimmianine, gamma-
fagarine, dictamnineLimonoids: including limonin, obacunone, dictamdiol, limo-
nin diosphenolEFFECTS: BURNING BUSH ROOT
In vitro, a mutagenic effect on Salmonella typhimurum and a
phototoxic effect on bacteria and yeasts have been observed.In animal tests, a contraceptive effect was observed through
the inhibition of implantation, as well as a slight increase in
hair growth of shaved mice after the application of an
alcoholic extract.
COMPOUNDS: BURNING BUSH HERB
Volatile oil: chief components (according to breed) anethole
(+) estragole, anethole (+) myrcene, limonene, 1,8-cineol, p-
cymene (+) estragoleFuroquinoline alkaloids: including skimmianine, gamma-
fagarine, dictamnine
Furocoumarins: including psoralen, xanthotoxin, auraptene,
bergaptenE
Limonoids: including limonin, obacunone, obacunone acid
Flavonoids: including rutin, diosmin, isoquercitrin
EFFECTS: BURNING BUSH HERB
See Burning Bush root.
A 40% reduction in egg laying by Clonorchis sinensis
(Chinese liver fluke) was observed when infected rabbits
were given an evaporated extract of the drug.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
BURNING BUSH ROOT
Unproven Uses: Infusion of the root is used to treat stomach
disorders, cramps and worm infestation, and to promote
menstruation.
In Greece, it is used as a tonic and a stimulant.Chinese Medicine: Burning Bush root is used for jaundice,
inflammation of the skin, rheumatic ailments, fever, hemor-
rhage of the womb, thread fungus, as a sedative, tonic and
for nervous crying in children. It is also found in decoctions
for the external treatment of eczema, impetigo and scabies.Indian Medicine: Burning Bush root is used for amenorrhea
and the regulation of labor.BURNING BUSH HERB
Unproven Uses: In the Middle Ages, the drug was used as a
cure or remedy for wounds, to promote menstruation and to
aid the expulsion of afterbirth. It served as a urinary aid and
was used in the treatment of epilepsy, in combination with
mistletoe and peony.
At the end of the 19th century, the drug was applied as an
ointment for rheumatism. The infusion is used as a remedy
for worm infestation, to treat stomach disorders and cramps
and to promote menstruation. In Greece, it is used as a tonic
and stimulant.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
BURNING BUSH ROOT AND HERB
Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-
tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded. The
plant can trigger phototoxicoses through skin contact. The
furoquinoline derivatives have a mutagenic effect in the
Ames test.