PDR for Herbal Medicines

220/COPAIBA BALSAM PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Copaiba Balsam

Copaifera langsdorjfi

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the resin- oil

(containing resin and essential oil) tapped from drillings in

the trunk.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are small and yellow.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Copaifera langsdorffi is an evergreen

tree up to 18 m high with compound leaves.

Characteristics: The resin oil consists of resin and essential

oil. The resin oil (oleoresin) ranges in viscosity from very

liquid to a resin-like substance, and in color from a pale

yellow to a red or fluorescent tint. The taste is unpleasant

and there is a characteristic smell. A single tree can yield up

to 40 liters.

Habitat: Copaiba Balsam is indigenous to tropical regions of

South America and South Africa.

Production: Copaiba Balsam is extracted from Copaifera

reticulata and other varieties from cavities drilled into the

tree trunk.

Other Names: Copaiva

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil: chief constituent alpha- and beta-caryophyllene,

beta-bisabolene, L-cadinene, ~)-aIpha-copaene

Resins: in particular, diterpenoid oleoresins including eperu-

8(20)-en-15,18-dicarboxylic acid, (-)-16beta-kaurane-19-car-

boxylic acid, copaiferic acid, (+)-hardwickiic acid, copalic

acid

EFFECTS

Possible bacteriostatic effect on the urinary tract. The

sesquiterpenes give the drug an antimicrobial effect.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The obsolete drug is still used in some

homeopathic preparations. Folk medicine employed Copaiba

Balsam as a stimulant, laxative and diuretic for conditions

such as infections of the urinary tract, chronic inflammation

of the mucous membranes of the lungs, kidney stones and

gonorrhea.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
The drug is irritating to the mucous membranes and toxic in
large amounts. Stomach pains appear after the intake of 5 g
of the drug. Repeated doses bring about summer cholera,
shivers, tremor, pains in the groin and insomnia. Skin contact
can lead to contact dermatitis such as erythema, papular or

vesicular rash, urticaria and petechias. Occasionally, the

rashes leave brown spots after healing.

LITERATURE

Delle Monache G et al., (1971) Tetrahedron Letters 8:659.

Ferrari M et al., (1971) Phytochemistry 10:905.

Further information in:

Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Vol. 1. 2nd Ed.

CRC Press 1975.

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 and 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,

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
   Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
   Verlag Heidelberg 1992.

Copaifera langsdorffi

See Copaiba Balsam

Goptis trifolia

See Goldthread

Coral Root

Corallorhiza odontorhiza

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the roots of the

parasite.

Flower and Fruit: The plant has 10 to 20 flowers in terminal

panicles. The flower heads are hood-like, reddish or purplish

on the outside, paler and flecked with purple lines on the

inside. One petal forms a lip with purple spots and a purple

rim. The fruit is a large, bent-back, ribbed, long capsule.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Coral Root is a perennial found

growing around the roots of trees in woodlands. The rhizome

is small, brown, coral-like, about 2 to 3 cm long and 2 mm in