PDR for Herbal Medicines

146/CANADIAN GOLDEN ROD PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Daily Dosage: The daily dosage is 6 to 12 gm of

comminuted drug prepared as an infusion. Fluid intake of at

least 2 liters daily is recommended.

Storage: The drug must be protected from light and

moisture.

LITERATURE

Bader G et al., (1987) Pharmazie 42(2): 140.

Goswami A et al., (1984) Phytochemistry 23(4):837.

Metzer J et al., (1984) Pharmazie 39(12):869.

Lassere B et al., (1983) Naturwissenschaft 70:95.

Reznicek G et al., PM 55:623. 1989.

Reznicek G et al., Tetrahedron Lett 30:4097. 1989.

Reznicek G, Freiler M, Schader M, Schmidt U, Determination

of the content and the composition of the main saponins from

Solidago gigantea AIT. Using high-perfomance liquid

chromatography. In: J Chromatog" A 755(1): 133-37. 1996.

Tiansheng L et al., Polyacetylenes and diterpenes from Solida

canadensis. In: PH 32:1483. 1993.

Weyerstahl P, Marshall H, Christiansen C, Kalemba D, Gora J,

Constituents of the essential oil of Solidago canadensis

("Goldenrod") from Poland. In: PM 59(3):281. 1993.

Further information in:

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.

Hausen B, Allergiepflanzen, Pflanzenallergene, ecomed

Verlagsgesellsch. mbH, Landsberg 1988.

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.
   Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
   Stuttgart 1997.
   Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und
   pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New
   York 1995.
   Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
   Stuttgart 1997.

Canarium species

See Chinese Olive

Cane-Reed

Costus specious

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part of the plant is the

rhizome.

Flower and Fruit: The inflorescence is ovoid, apical and 4 to

7 cm long. The zygomorphic flowers are each supported by

one narrow, ovate, acuminate, coriaceous, thickly haired, red

to red-brown bract. There is a bracteole, which is approxi-

mately 2 cm long, violet to brown-red and sparsely

pubescent. The calyx is approximately 2.5 cm long, green to

red-brown and tubular. The 3 petals are approximately 6 cm

long, white to pale pink and silky haired. The corolla tube is

approximately 1.5 cm long. The lobes are elliptical to ovate

and 6 to 7 cm long. The lobes are white to pale pink, with a

yellow lip in the center made up of 5 stamens. When spread

out, the lobe is broad obviate and crenate. There is 1 fertile

stamen, which is white to yellowish and up to 5 cm long.

The style is thread-like and the ovary 3-chambered and

inferior. The fruit is a light red, loculicidal capsule. The

seeds are black, 2 to 4 mm wide, with a narrow, fleshy aril.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Costus specious is a herbaceous

perennial, upright, up to 3 m high. The leaves have tubular

sheaths, which are 0.7 to 1.2 cm in diameter and a pubescent

to glabrous. The ligula is 1 to 2 mm long; the leaves are 12 to

25 cm long, 3 to 6 cm wide, narrow elliptical, thorny-tipped,

glabrous above and downy-haired beneath. The stem is

upright. The rhizome is up to 50-cm long, 3 cm thick and

rich in starch.

Habitat: India

Production: Kust or costus root is the dried rhizome of

Costus speciosus.

Not to be Confused With: Confusion may occur with

Saussurea lappa and Canella winterana. The drug itself is

used to adulterate Gloroisa superba.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Steroid saponins (1 to 4%): chief components dioscin and

gracillin, aglycones diosgenin, tigogenin

Steroids: sterols, including beta-sitosterol, beta-sitosterol

glucoside

Curcuminoids (3 %): including curcumin

EFFECTS

The saponin fraction of the drug exhibits estrogenic,

antiexudative, spasmolytic, choleretic and anesthesia-pro-

I longing effects.