PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS CATECHU/163

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: In folk medicine, preparations of Cat's Foot

flower are used as a diuretic, for diarrhea, and to treat

respiratory and intestinal diseases.

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: Since the efficacy for the claimed

uses is not documented, a therapeutic application cannot be

recommended.

Preparation: To prepare an infusion, pour boiling water over

l gm finely cut drug, then strain after 5 to 10 minutes.

LITERATURE

Delaveau P, et al., (1980) Planta Med 40:49.

Didry N, et al.. (1982) Ann Pharm Fr 40 (1):75.

Kern W, List PH. Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. AufL, Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Swiatek L, et al., (1982) Planta Med 30:153, 12P.

Catechu

Acacia catechu

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: Black catechu is extracted from the

heartwood in a process of distillation and is used in a variety

of preparations.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers grow in closely sitting spikes

from the leaf axils. The calyx is about 1 to 2 mm and

covered in gray hairs. The corolla is yellow. The pod is about

10 to 15 cm long, dark brown and veined with 6 to 8 seeds.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Acacia catechu is a medium-sized

tree with brown bark and downy-haired branches. The leaf

stems of the double-pinnate leaves are about 15 cm long and

have glands at the base and between the upper 5 to 7 cm long

fronds. The leaflets are sessile, close, pale green and smaller

than 1 cm. There are a few short thorns in pairs.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to India and Burma.

Production: The heartwood is ground and boiled in water for
12 hours. The wood residue is removed and die extract
steamed to the consistency of a syrup. The syrup is stirred
and cooled in molds. The dried mass is broken up into
irregular pieces.

Not to be Confused With: Haematoxylon campechium and

the seeds of Areca catechu, tar products and admixtures of

earth, alumen, iron carbonate and sand.

Other Names: Cutch

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Catechins (2-12%): (+)- and (-)-catechin, (+)- and

(-)-epicatechin

Catechin tannins (20-60%)

EFFECTS

Catechu is an astringent and antiseptic.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Internally, Catechu is used for chronic

catarrh of the mucous membranes, dysentery and bleeding.

Externally, Catechu is a constituent of tooth tinctures, mouth

washes and gargles. It is used externally in hemostatic

powders, dressing solutions and injection solutions. It is also

used for colitis mucosa, gingivitis, stomatitis and

pharyngitis.

Indian Medicine: Catechu is a constituent of preparations for

mouth ulcers, throat infections and toothache.

Chinese Medicine: The drug is used for poorly healing

ulcers, weeping skin diseases, oral ulcers with bleeding and

traumatic injuries.

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: Catechu tincture can be painted on

mucous membranes or used for mouth washes.

Preparation: Catechu tincture.

Daily Dosage: The average daily dose of the drug is 0.3 to 2

gm to be taken orally, 3 times daily; single dose is 0.5 gm.

Twenty drops of Catechu tincture is added to a glass of

lukewarm water for use as a mouthwash, or the tincture may

be applied with a brush in undiluted form to affected mucous

membranes.

LITERATURE

Sham JSK et al., (1984) Planta Med 2:177.

Further information in:

Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers

Handbuch der Pharmazeuuschen Praxis, 5. AufL, Bde 4-6

(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-

1994.