PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS CORNFLOWER / 225

Bitter substances

Saponins (2-3%)

Tannins: the main one is probably proanthocyanidins

Mt Sterols: including among others beta-sitosterol, ergosterol

Alkaloids (0.05%)

6-methoxybenzoxazolinone

Fatty oil (2%)

EFFECTS
The active agents are saponin, essential oil and tannin. Maize
stimulates the cardiac muscles, increases blood pressure, acts
as a diuretic and sedates the digestive tract.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Maize is used for disorders of the urinary
tract.
Chinese Medicine: Maize is used in the treatment of liver
disorders.
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: Liquid extract, in medicinal prepa-
rations and combinations.

Preparation: Prepare an infusion using 2 teaspoons of drug
per cup of water. A tincture is prepared by adding 20 gm of
drug to 100 ml of 20% alcohol (leave to stand for 5 days).
Daily Dosage: Drink 1 cup of infusion every other day. Take
2 to 3 teaspoons of tincture per day.
LITERATURE
Chan H, But P, Pharmacology. Applications of Chinese Materia
Medica, Vol 1, World Scientific Singapore 1986.
Hahn SJ, (1973) K'at'ollick Taehak Uihak Nonmun J 25:127
(via [51).
Hegnauer R, Chemotaxonomie der Pflanzen, Bde 1-11:
Birkhauser Verlag Basel, Boston, Berlin 1962-1997.
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.
Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.
Paris F, Schauenberg P, Guide des Plantes Medicinales,
Delachaux et Niestle Switzerland 1969.

Cornflower

Centaurea cyanus

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the fast-growing

ray flowers and the dried ray florets, which have been

separated from the receptacle and epicalyx, and to a lesser

extent the tubular florets, which have usually been separated

from the ovaries.

Flower and Fruit: The 3 cm wide flowers are solitary and

terminal. The tubular flowers are blue, the cultivated ones

are usually all purple-violet, pale pink or white. The lateral

florets are larger, in rays and funnel-shaped. The oblong gray

fruit is an achaene with the remains of a tuft of hair.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Growing 20 to 70 cm high, the

annual or biennial plant contains fusiform, pale tap roots. It

has a rosette of basal leaves and an erect, branched, spider-

web-pubescent angular stem, covered in alternate, faintly

linear-lanceolate leaves. The basal leaves are lyre-shaped,

pinnatafid and long-petioled. The upper leaves are non-

compound.

Habitat: The plant is probably indigenous to the Middle

East, but is cultivated worldwide because of grain

production.

Production: Cornflower consists of the quickly dried flowers

of Centaurea cyanus. The plant is harvested during the

flowering season from June to August.

Other Names: Centaurea, Bachelor's Buttons, Bluebonnet,

Bluebottle, Blue Centaury, Cyani, Bluebow, Hurtsickle, Blue

Cap, Cyani-flowers

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Anthocyans: chief components succinylcyanin (centaurocya-

nin, cyanidine -3-0-(6-0- succinyl - beta- D- glucosyl)-5-0-

beta-D-glucoside)

Flavonoids

Bitter principles (structure unknown)

EFFECTS

The drug has an antibacterial effect in vitro (centaurocyanin),

but only for the aerial parts of the plant without the flowers.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Cornflowers and their preparations are used

internally for fever, constipation, leucorrhea, menstrual

disorders and vaginal Candida, and as a laxative, tonic and

bitter. The flowers are also used as a diuretic and an

expectorant, or as a stimulant for liver and gall bladder

function. Externally, Cornflowers are used in preparation of