PDR for Herbal Medicines

182/CHICORY PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Daily Dosage: 3 to 5 g comminuted drug. Single dose: 2 to 4

g whole herb for an infusion.

LITERATURE

Anonym, Abwehr von Arzneimittelrisiken, Stufe II. In: DAZ

l36(38):3253-2354. 1996.

BGA, Arzneimittelrisiken: Anthranoide. In: DAZ 132(21): H64.

1992.

Balbaa S et al., (1973) Planta Med 24:133.

Benoit PS et al., (1976) Lloydia 39:160.

Kawabata S, Deki M, (1977) Kanzei Chuo Bunsek 17:63.

Miiller K, Wiegrebe W, Psoriasis und Antipsoriatika. In: DAZ

137(22): 1893-1902. 1997.

Noldenn U, Dissertation Universitat Bonn. 1989.

Proliac A, Blanc M, (1976) Helv Chem Acta 58:2503.

Wagner, H, In 'The Biology and Chemistry of the

Compositae," Eds V. N. Heywood et al. Academic Press,

London 1977.

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.

Ghimaphila umbellata

See Pipsissewa

Chinese Cinnamon

Cinnamomum aromaticum

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the flowers

collected and dried after they have finished blossoming, and

the whole or partly peeled, dried bark of thin and young

branches, as well the oil extracted from them.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are small on short, slender,
silky pedicles. They are arranged in threes in cymous
panicles in the leaf axils and in larger panicles at the end of
the branches. The perianth is slightly silky, about 3 mm long,
with oblong-lanceolate petals. The fruit is a juicy, pea-sized,
elliptoid, smooth drupe.

Leaves, Stem and Root: This evergreen tree grows up to 7 m

tall with aromatic bark and angular branches. The bark is

brown, in quilled pieces, sometimes with the remains of the

outer layer present. The 7.5 to 10 cm long leaves are

oblanceolate and pubescent on 6 to 8 cm long petioles, more

or less tapered toward the base. They are coriaceous,

alternate and brown underneath.

Habitat: Indigenous and cultivated in southern China,

Vietnam, Laos and Burma.

Production: Chinese Cinnamon consists of the completely or

partly peeled, dried stem bark from the aboveground or thin-

branched axis of Cinnamomum aromaticum. The drug, from

branches 2 to 3 cm thick, is peeled with horn knives, freed

from cork and outer rind, and dried in the sun for 24 hours.

Not to be Confused With: Chinese Cinnamon should not be

confused with waste products from the production process or

other barks and materials, nor with the skins of horse

chestnut seeds.

Other Names: Cassia, False Cinnamon, Bastard Cinnamon,

Cassia Lignea, Cassia Bark, Cassia aromaticum, Canton

Cassia

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil: chief components are cinnamaldehyde, weiter-

hin cinnamylacetate, cinnamyl alcohol, o-methoxycinnamai-

dehyde, cinnamic acid, coumarin

Diterpenes: cinnzeylanoles, cinncassioles A to E

Tannins: catechin tannins

Oligomere proanthocyanidins

Mucilages

EFFECTS

The essential oil and its main constituent cinnamaldehyde

are antibacterial, fungistatic, improve immune resistance in

animal tests (inhibiting allergic reactions Type I and II),

promote motility, inhibit ulcers and act on the digestive tract

(tannin content).

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Loss of appetite


• Dyspeptic complaints

Unproven Uses: Folk medicine uses include symptomatic

treatment of gastrointestinal disorders (mild, colicky upsets

of the gastrointestinal tract, bloating, flatulence and diar-

rhea), as well as for temporary states of exhaustion and to

increase weight. Efficacy has been sufficiently proven for