188 /CHIRETTA4 mm thick, cylindrical below and becoming quadrangular
toward the top. The leaves are smooth, opposite, lanceolate
or ovate and entire-margined with 3 to 7 longitudinal ribs.Habitat: The plant is indigenous to northern India and Nepal.Production: Chiretta is the aerial part of Swertia chirata.Other Names: Chirata, Chirayta, Indian Balmony, Indian
GentianACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Iridoide monoterpines as bitter substances (1.3%): chief
components swertiamarin (0.4%), sweroside (0.2%), includ-
ing as well gentiopicrin. amarogentin, amaroswerinXanthone derivatives: including mangiferin (0.12%), swer-
chirin (methyl bellidifoline), swertianin, 7-O-methyl swertia-
nin, chiratol, swertiapunicoside, chirataninEFFECTS
Chiretta stimulates the secretion of gastric juices. In animal
experiments, an anticholinergic (due to swertiamarin), anti-
phlogistic, hypoglycemic (due to xanthone derivatives), and
centrally suppressing effect has been described.INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Chiretta is used for dyspeptic disorders, loss
of appetite, problems with the production of gastric juices
and disorders of the digestive system.CONTRAINDICATIONS
The drug should not be used in patients who have gastric or
duodenal ulcers due to the drug's stimulation of gastric juice
secretion.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: The drug is a constituent part of
various preparations, especially drops.Daily Dosage: The daily dosage is 15 to 20 drops, 3 times
daily before meals. For nervous disorders, 10 to 15 drops are
taken daily between meals.LITERATUREDalai SR et al. (1953) J Ind Chem Soc 30: 455.
Ghosal S et al. (1973) J Pharm Sci 62: 926.
Goyal H et al. (1981) J Res Ayur Siddha 2 (3): 286.
Hikano H et al. (1984) Shoyakugku Zasshi 38: 359.
Komatsu M et al. (1971) Jpn Kokai 71 (27): 558.
PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINESRay S et al. Amarogentin, a naturally occuring secoiridoid
glycoside and a newly recognized inhibitor of topoisomerase I
from Leishmania donovani. In: JNP 59(l):27-29. 1996.Sharma PV (1982) Indian J Pharm Sci 44 (2): 36.Further information in:
Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der
Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl, Bde. 1-8: Springer Verlag
Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used
in Food Drugs, Cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York
1980.Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
Verlag Heidelberg 1992.Chives
Allium schoenoprasumDESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the fresh or dried
aerial parts of the plant.Flower and Fruit: The cyme has numerous florets. The
sheath of the inflorescence has 2 or 3 flaps. The flap is
broad-ovate and shorter than the inflorescence; it is white or
reddish. The florets are dense and globose with no bulbils.
The petals of the perianth are lanceolate-ovate and acute or
pointed. They are 7 to 11 mm long, bluish or white to
yellowish, and have a dark middle stripe. The stamens are
shorter than the perianth. They are awl-shaped and fused
with each other and the perianth petals at the base. The
perianth surrounds the capsule like a balloon.Leaves, Stem and Root: Allium schoenoprasum is a perenni-
al, 15 to 30 cm high plant. The base is branched with
numerous erect, closely packed leaves. Thin sheaths form
incomplete, oblong bulbs. The bulb skin is thin, white and
splitting when mature. The stem is round, usually smooth
and leafy from the lower third. The compact leaves are
completely hollow, round, somewhat elastic, and gray or
gray-green.Habitat: Chives grow wild in the temperate regions of
Europe and North America and are cultivated in Europe,
Turkistan, North America and from Siberia to Japan.Production: Chives are the complete aerial parts of Allium
schoenoprasum, which are harvested before flowering.Other Names: Cive Garlic, Civet, Chive