PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS CAROB/151

Carline Thistle

Carlina acaulis

DESCRIPTION

£ Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the root.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are made up of individual

heads that are 7 to 13 cm in diameter. The disc florets are

androgynous, pink to violet, and have a 5-tipped radial

corolla. The outer bracts are thorny. The middle bracts

consist of glossy white, acuminate, 3 to 4 cm long leaves.

The stamens have bristly-tipped appendages. The styles are

cylindrical with short stigma lobes. The fruit is 5 mm long,

obclavate to cylindrical, and bluntly angular with bifurcated

hairs at the tip.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Carlina acaulis is a 30 cm high

thistle-like, leafy plant with milky latex. The stem is

compressed and under 5 cm long. The whorled to alternate

leaves are flat or slightly frilled and a little tough, 10 to 20

cm long, pinnatifid to pinnatisect with broad, thorny tips.

The rhizome is finger thick and has 1 or more heads.

9> Habitat: The plant extends from Spain, Italy and the Balkans

across central Europe to central Russia.

Production: Carline Thistle (Dwarf Thistle) is the root of

Carlina acaulis collected in autumn and dried. It is collected

in the wild.

Not to be Confused With: Sometimes Carline Thistle is

adulterated by addition of other Carlina species.

Other Names: Stemless Carlina Root, Dwarf Carline,

Ground Thistle, Southernwood Root

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil: chief components carlina oxide

Inulin (18 to 20%) (fructosan)

Tannins

EFFECTS

Jf There is no valid data on the mode of action. The essential
oil hinders the growth of Staphylococcus aureus up to a
dilution of 1:2 X 105. Carline Thistle has mild diuretic,
spasmolytic and diaphoretic effects.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: The drug is used internally for cholecysto-
pathy, digestive insufficiency and for spasms in the alimenta-
ry canal. In Spain, it is used to treat colds and illnesses
accompanied by fever.

Externally, it is used as a wash for dermatosis, and to rinse

wounds and ulcers; as a mouthwash to alleviate symptoms

associated with cancer of the tongue.

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: Carline Thistle is used both

internally and externally.

Daily Dosage: Common preparations and doses are:

Decoction: Boil 3 gm of drug in 150 ml of water for 5

minutes, drink 3 cups daily.

Infusion: 2 teaspoons of the drug to be boiled in 1 cup of

water for 10 minutes, leave to draw for half an hour, take 3

to 4 cups daily between mealtimes.

Tincture: 20 gm of chopped drug, left to draw for 10 days in

80 gm of ethanol 60%, use 40 to 50 drops, 4 to 5 times daily.

Wine: Add 50 gm of the drug to 1 L of white wine, leave to

draw for a minimum of 12 days, then strain; drink one full

small glass before mealtimes.

Externally it is used as a decoction; 30 gm of the drug added

to I L of water.

Storage: Should be stored in tightly sealed containers.

LITERATURE

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.

Schilcher H, Hagels H, Carlinae radix. Verfalschung,

Verwechslung oder Ersatzdroge. In: DAZ 130(40):2186. 1990.

Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

Stuttgart 1997.

Carob

Ceratonia siliqua

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the fruit and the

bark.

Flower and Fruit: The inflorescence is erect and lateral in

old wood. It is often bushy, clustered or catkin-like, and

unisexual with erect receptacles. There is no corolla. The

male flowers have 5 long filaments with long slits and

opening pollen tubes. The female flowers have short-