PDR for Herbal Medicines

224/CORN POPPY PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

EFFECTS

No information is available other than that the drug, which

contains alkaloids (not opium alkaloids), is said to be

convulsive.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Corn Poppy flower is used for diseases and

disorders of the respiratory tract, for disturbed sleep, as a

sedative and for the relief of pain. In folk medicine, it is used

to make a cough syrup for children, as a tea for insomnia, for

pain relief and as a sedative.

Homeopathic Uses: Homeopathy uses Corn Poppy flower

for states of agitation and excitation and also for spasms of

the hollow organs.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages. The drug itself is non-toxic due to the low level of

alkaloid content, but reports exist in the scientific literature

of children being poisoned by intake of the fresh foliage

(with blossoms). Poisoning symptoms include vomiting and

stomach pain.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: As a component of "metabolic"

teas.

Preparation: To prepare a tea, use 1 g of the flowers to 1 cup

hot water. To make an infusion, scald 2 teaspoonfuls drug,

steep for 10 minutes and strain (1 teaspoonful is equal to

approximately 8 g drug). A poultice is prepared using 1 to 2

teaspoonfuls of tincture to 250 ml of water. (Prepare tincture

in accordance with HAB1 guidelines.)

Daily Dosage: As an expectorant for inflammation of the

bronchial mucous membranes, drink 1 cup infusion 2 to 3

times a day. The infusion may be sweetened with honey.

Homeopathic Dosage: Full bath: 2/3 dessertspoon tincture in

a bath (correspondingly less for partial baths).

Storage: Corn Poppy flower should be thoroughly dried

before storing in a tightly sealed container that protects it

from light.

LITERATURE

El-Masry S et al., (1981) Planta Med 41:61.

Fairbairn JW, Williamson EM, (1978) Phytochemistry 17:2087.

Frohne D, Pfander HJ, Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fur
Apotheker, Toxikologen und Biologen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlags-
Ges. Stuttgart 1997.

Gasic O et al., Hem Pregl 33:23. 1992.

Kalaw Y, Sariyar S, PM 55:488. 1989.

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.

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.
   Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Vedagsges.
   Stuttgart 1997.
   Willaman JJ, Hui-Li L, (1970) Lloydia 33 (3A): 1.

Corn Silk

Zea mays

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the seed.

Flower and Fruit: The plant is monoecious. The male

flowers form terminal racemes of spikes with 2-flowered

husks. The female flowers are axillary. The spikes are at

varying distances from the ground and are enclosed in a

number of thin leaves, the sheath-like maize husk. The

spikes consist of a cylindrical substance, the cob, on which

the seeds are arranged in 8 rows of 40 or more. Single

whitish-green threads of a silky appearance grow from the

eyes of the seeds and hang outside the husk, where they

catch the pollen. The Maize seeds are usually yellow but can

be darker to almost black.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is 1 to 3 m high and sturdy

with a solid stem covered in alternate, over 4 cm wide, linear

leaves.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to America and is cultivated

all over the world as green fodder or as a cereal crop.

Production: Corn Silk flowers are the styles and stigmas of

Zea mays. The styles of the female flowers, as they begin to

grow out of the pillow-lace, are gathered for medicinal or

therapeutic purposes. They are removed by hand and dried in

the shade.

Other Names: Indian Corn, Maize, Stigmata maydis

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil (0.2%): including among others carvacrol, alpha-

terpineol, menthol, thymol

Flavonoids: including among others may sin, maysin-3'-etiiyl

ether