160 /CASTOR OIL PLANT PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES
medicinal charcoal, the therapy for castor bean poisoning
includes treating spasms with diazepam (i.v.), generous
supplies of fluids, electrolyte substitution and treating
possible cases of acidosis with sodium bicarbonate infusions.
In case of shock, plasma volume expanders should be
infused. Monitoring of kidney function and blood coagula-
tion is essential. Papain activated with H2-S has been
attempted as an antidote.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Castor Oil is available as whole
drug, in solid, semi-solid and in compounded pharmaceutical
preparations for internal and external use.
Preparation: Industrial production using specific procedures.
Daily Dosage:
Internally — for acute constipation or as a laxative against
worms, at least 5 (x2 g) or 10 (xl g) capsules must be taken;
Caster Oil is also available in compound preparations.
Externally — a paste made of ground seeds is applied to the
affected skin areas twice daily. A course of treatment takes
up to 15 days.
Homeopathic Dosage: 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 (HAB34)
LITERATURE
Anonym, Pharmaceutical Care: "Den Mi(3brauch von Laxanzien
vermeiden helfen". In: DAZ 135(20): 1867-1868. 1995.
BGA, Abwehr von Arzneimittelrisiken:Poly-(oxyethylen)-35-
Rizinusol. In: DAZ 132(33): 1733. 1992.
Macfarlane N, Trop Sc 17:217-228. 1975.
Scarpa A, Guerci A, Various uses of the castor oil plant
(Ricinus communis L.), a review. In: ETH 5(2): 117. 1982.
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.
Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used
in Food, Drugs, Cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York
1980.
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,
- Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
Schulz R, Hansel R, Rationale Phytotherapie, Springer Verlag
Heidelberg 1996.
Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
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.
Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und
pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New
York 1995.
Cat's Claw
Uncaria tomentosa
TRADE NAMES
Cai's Claw (available from numerous manufacturers), Cat's
Claw Power, Cat's Claw Inner Bark, Cat's Claw Bark
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the root bark
Flower and Fruit: The flowers are bisexual and sessil. The
calyx is tubular 1 to 2 mm in length and 1 mm in diameter.
The corolla is 7-12 mm long, 4 mm in diameter and contains
5 roundish lobes. The stamens are in fives and fused. The
anthers are 1 mm in length; the stigma eliptical. The ovary is
inferior. The fruits are elliptical, 6-8 mm in length and 4-6
mm wide.
Leaves, Stem and Root: Uncaria tomentosa is a large woody
vine that sometimes reaches heights of 100 feet. The bark
has longitudinal fissures and range from yellow to yellow-
green in color. The leaves are simple, opposite, elliptic or
ovate. They range in size from 7 to 18 cm in length and from
4 to 13 cm wide. The margins of the leaf are entire, with a
roundish base.The spines are woody and occur in pairs. They
are curved like a cat's and thorn-like.
Characteristics: The sap of Uncaria tomentosa is watery and
has an astringent taste.
Habitat: Cat's Claw is indigenous to the rainforest areas of
Central and South America
Production: Cat's Claw is harvested in the wild.
Not to be Confused With: There are several plants with the
common name of Una de Gato. Confusion can occur with
Anadenanthera flava, Bauhinia aculeata, Berberis goudotii,
Celtis uguanae, Doxantha ungis catti, Mimosa albida,
Pisonia aculeata, Rubus urticaefolius, the various Smilax
species and Zanthoxylum panamensis (Obregon, 1995).
