PDR for Herbal Medicines

240/CURCUMA PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Reuter HD, Pflanzliche Gallentherapeutika (Teil I) und (Teil II).

In: ZPT 16(0:13-20 u. 77-89. 1995.

Curcuma domestica

See Turmeric

Curcuma xanthorrhizia

See Curcuma

Curcuma zedoaria

See Zedoary

Cuscuta epithymum

See Dodder

Cyamopsis tetragonoloba

See Guar Gum

Cyclamen

Cyclamen europaeum

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the dried rhizome

with the roots.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are pinkish-red, solitary and

nodding on erect stems. The 5 sepals are ovate, pointed and

dentate. The corolla is a short campanulate tube with 5

revolute tips; it is darker at the base. There are 5 stamens and

1 ovary. The fruit is a capsule, which opens on 5 sides.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant grows from about 5 to 10

cm. The rhizome is a disc-like tuber. The leaves are long-

petioled, orbicular or cordate, crenate, glabrous, with a white

edge above and red beneath. The petioles and pedicles are

roughly glandular.

Characteristics: The flowers are fragrant and poisonous.

Habitat: The plant is found in the Alps and the alpine

regions of southern Europe.

Other Names: Groundbread, Sowbread, Swinebread, Ivy-

Leafed Cyclamen

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Triterpene saponins: including cyclamine, deglucocyrlamine

I, deglucocyclamine II

EFFECTS

No information is available.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The drug is used to treat menstrual

complaints, emotional disorders/nervous states and digestive

problems.

Homeopathic Uses: Cyclamen is used for migraine and its

accompanying autonomic symptoms, and for the treatment

of premenstrual syndrome.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

The intake of even small dosages (0.3 gm) can lead to

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain.

OVERDOSAGE

High dosages can cause spasm and asphyxiation. Following

gastric lavage and the administration of activated charcoal,

the treatment for poisoning should proceed symptomatically

(e.g., treatment of convulsions with diazepam, treatment of

colic with atropine).

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Cyclamen is used in homeopathic

treatments. It is also used topically and in alcoholic extracts.

Sabieraj J, Wirkung von Curcuma xanthorrhiza. In: DAZ

131(13):609. 1991.

Schilcher H, Pharmazeutische Aspekte pflanzlicher

Gallentherapeutika. In: ZPT 16(4):211-222. 1995.

Schmidt M, Phytotherapie: Pflanzliche Gallenwegstherapeutika.

In: DAZ 135(8):680-682. 1995.

Veit M, Beeinflussung der Leukotrien-Biosynthese durch

Curcumin. In: ZPT 14(1 ):46. 1993.

Further information in:

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.

Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3.

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie. 5. Aufl., Springer

Verlag Heidelberg 1992.

Tang W, Eisenbrand G, Chinese Drugs of Plant Origin,

Springer Verlag Heidelberg 1992.

Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel. 5. Aufl.. W'iss. Verlagsges.

mbH Stuttgart 1997.

Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

Stuttgart 1997.