PDR for Herbal Medicines

238/CUMIN PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

LITERATURE

Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers

Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6

(Drogen): Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-

1994.

Harborne JB, Williams CE, (1972) Photochemistry 11:1741.

Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used

in Food Drugs and Cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc.. New

York 1980.

Tassan CG, Russel GF, J Food Sci 40:1185-1188. 1975.

Varo PT, Heinz DE, (1970) J Agric Food Chem 18:234 et 239.

Cuminum cyminum

See Cumin

Gup Plant

Silphium perfoliatum

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the root.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are 5 to 8 cm wide, long-

pedicled and clustered. The sepals are overlapping, and the

petals are egg-yolk yellow. The disc-like flowers are

androgynous with long thread-like styles. The lateral flowers

are female and lingual. The double-winged fruit is com-

pressed and has a pappus of lateral awns.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The perennial plant is a 1.25 to 2.5

m high plant with a branched rhizome. The erect, angular,

smooth stem is branched higher up and foliated up to the tip.

The leaves are opposite, rough, ovate, acuminate, crenate,

dark green above and blue-green beneath. The lower leaves

are up to 30 cm long, and the upper ones are oblong-ovate,

sessile and fused at the base to a cup form.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to the western U.S., Oregon

and Texas.

Other Names: Ragged Cup, Indian Gum, Prairie Dock, Pilot

Plant, Polar Plant, Rosinweed, Turpentine Weed

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Triterpene saponins

Sesquiterpenes: including among others silphinene, silphi-
perfolen, 8-hydroxy-presilphiperfolane

EFFECTS
The drug is a tonic and has a diaphoretic effect.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Cup Plant has been used for digestive

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: Cup Root is not used in modern

medicine.

LITERATURE

Davidyants ES et al.. (1984) Khim Prir Soedin. 5:666.

Hegnauer R, Chemotaxonomie der Pflanzen, Bde 1-11:

Birkhauser Verlag Basel, Boston, Berlin 1962-1997.

Cupmoss

Cladonia pyxidata

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The wineglass-shaped scyphi of Cladonia

pyxidata are used medicinally.

Flower and Fruit: Cupmoss is a lichen, not a moss as the

name suggests. The scyphi are grayish-white, about 2.5 cm

long, wineglass-shaped, with hollow stems and terminal

cups.

Characteristics: The taste is mucilaginous and slightly

sweet. There is no odor.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to North America and is

also common in other areas including Great Britain.

Other Names: Chin Cups

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Lichen acids: including fumaroprotocetraric acid, barbatic

acid, psoromic acid

Mucilages

EFFECTS

Cupmoss has the effect of an expectorant and antitussive.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Cupmoss is used for coughs, bronchitis, and

also in the treatment of whooping cough.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-

tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded.