PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS CLOVE/195

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages of the dehydrated drug. Extended skin contact with

the freshly harvested, bruised plant can lead to blister

V formation and cauterizations that heal poorly, due to the

released protoanemonine, which is severely irritating to the

skin and mucous membranes. If taken internally, severe

irritation to the gastrointestinal tract, combined with colic

and diarrhea, as well as irritation of the urinary drainage

passages, are possible.

Symptomatic treatment for external contact consists of

mucilaginosa, after irrigation with diluted potassium perman-

ganate solution. In case of internal contact, administration of

activated charcoal should follow gastric lavage.

OVERDOSAGE

Death by asphyxiation following the intake of large quanti-

ties of protoanemonine-forming plants has been observed in

animal experiments. The risk associated with use of this

plant is less than that of many other Ranunculaceae (e.g.,

Anemones nemorosae) due to the relatively low levels of

protoanemonine-forming agents.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: The drug is seldom used today. It is

available in the form of decoctions, which are used for

poultices, as well as extracts and drops.

Homeopathic Dosage: Clematis is used in homeopathic

dilutions D3 and D4.

Storage: The herb should be stored in tightly sealed

containers.

LITERATURE
Bonora A et al., PH 26:2277. 1987.
Kizu H, Shimana H, Tomimori T, Studies on the constituents
of Clematis species. VI. The constituents of Clematis stans
Sieb. et Zucc. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo), 43:2187-94, 1995
Dec.
Ruijgrok HWL, PM 11:338-347. 1963.
Shropshire CM, Stauber E, Arai M, Evaluation of selected
plants for acute toxicosis in budgerigars. J Am Vet Med Assoc,
0 200:936-9, 1992 Apr 1.

Southwell IA et al., Protoanemonin in australian Clematis. In:

PH 33:1099. 1993.

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.

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,

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.

Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,

Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.

Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und

pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New

York 1995.

Clematis recta

See Clematis

Clematis vitalba

See Traveller's Joy

Clove

Syzygium aromaticum

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the oil extracted

from the whole or macerated flower buds, the pedicles and

leaves, the dried flower buds and the not quite ripe fruit.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are in triply-triple-branched

cymes. They are short-pedicled, whitish-pink, approximately

6 mm wide and have 2 scale-like bracteoles. The calyx tube

is 1 to 1.5 cm long and cylindrical. The 4 sepals are fleshy

and there are 4 petals. The fruit is 2 to 2.5 cm long, 1.3 to 1.5

cm wide and is crowned by 4 curved sepals. The fruit is 1-

seeded.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a 20 m high, pyramid-

• shaped evergreen tree. The diameter of the trunk is 40 cm.
  The branches are almost round. The leaves are 9 to 12 cm
  long and 3.5 cm wide. They are coriaceous, elliptical to
  lanceolate, short, obtusely tipped and narrowing in a cuneate
  form to the petiole, which is 2.5 cm long. There is 1 main rib
  and more than 20 lateral ones.

Characteristics: The taste and odor are characteristic.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to the Molucca Islands and

is cultivated there and in Tanzania, Madagascar, Brazil and

other tropical regions.