PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS DAFFODIL/243

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.

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

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Oksuz S et al., Biological active compounds. In: PM 60(6):594-

596. 
     
     
     
     1994. Ott HH, Hecker E, Experientia 37:88. 1981.
           Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,
     
     
     
     


597. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
     Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
     Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.

Cypripedium calceolus

See Nerve Root

•Cytisus laburnum

See Laburnum

Cytisus scoparius

See Scotch Broom

Daemonorops draco

See Dragon's Blood (Xue-Jie)

Daffodil
Narcissus pseudonarcissus
DESCRIPTION
W Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the bulb, die leaves
and the flowers, or the whole flowering plant without the
roots.
Flower and Fruit: The flowers are solitary and bending on
compressed 2-edged pedicles. They are pale yellow. At the
base of the flower there is a dry, membranous sheath that is
split higher at the side. The perigone is 6-tipped and splayed
like a plate. The secondary corolla is egg-yolk yellow and
cylindrical, with an undulating, folded, unevenly crenate

margin. The stamens are fused to the tube. The ovary is

inferior, the style is thread-like and the stigma obtuse.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant grows from 15 to 30 cm

high. The leaves are basal, sprouting from an ovate, brown

bulb. They are erect, linear, flatly grooved, and have 2

grooves rather than a keel.

Characteristics: Daffodil has a weak unpleasant odor and is

poisonous.

Habitat: The plant is found all over Europe and is cultivated

elsewhere.

Production: Daffodil is the flowering plant Narcissus

pseudonarcissus without the root.

Other Names: Lent Lily

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Amaryllidacae alkaloids (0.08-0.15% in the bulb, with

considerably less in the foliage): including, among others,

hemanthamine, galanthine, galanthamine, pluviine, maso-

nine, homolycorine

Chelidonic acid

EFFECTS

No information is available.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Daffodil is used for irritation of the mucous

membranes, such as bronchial catarrh, whooping cough,

colds and asthma.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages. The plant possesses a weak potential for sensitiza-

tion, a condition called "daffodil itch."

OVERDOSAGE

Overdosage or accidental intake of the bulbs (e.g., confusing

them with cooking onions) can lead to poisoning. Symptoms

include vomiting, salivation, diarrhea and central nervous

disorders following resorption.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Daffodil is available ground and as

an extract. It is also found in homeopathic remedies.

LITERATURE

Furusawa E, Suzuki N, Ramanathan S, Furusawa S, Cutting W,

Effect of long-term administration of Narcissus alkaloid on

Rauscher leukemia and combinations with standard drugs. In:

Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 140:1034-1040. 1972.

Moraes-Cerdeira RM et al., Alkaloid content of different bulb

parts of Narcissus cv. Ice follies. In: PM 63(l):93-94. 1997.