PDR for Herbal Medicines

254/DIVI-DIVI PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Habitat: Sri Lanka, Brazil, South America

Production: Nikkar nuts are the seeds of Caesalpinia

bonducella.

• Other Names: Nikkar Nuts, Nichol Seeds, Gray Nicker
  ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
  COMPOUNDS
  Fatty oil (20 to 25%, bonduc nut oil): chief fatty acids are
  linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid

Proteins

Starch

Diterpenes: including, among others, alpha-, beta-, gamma-,

eta-caesalpine

Saponins

EFFECTS

Divi-Divi is a febrifuge and tonic.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Indian Medicine: The roasted seeds are used in febrile

illnesses and in the treatment of diabetes.

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: Seeds are ground and roasted for

internal use.

LITERATURE

Balmain et al., Tetrahedron 1967:5027. 1967.

Hoppe HA, (1975-1987) Drogenkunde, 8. Aufl., Bde 1-3, W.

de Gruyter Verlag, Berlin, New York.

Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.). Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde 1-8, Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Dodder

Cuscuta epithymum

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the aerial parts of

the plant.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are reddish, wax or flesh-
colored. They are arranged in small clusters. The calyx is
divided into 5 and the corolla is fused to a 4 to 5 tipped tube
with fringed scales inside. There are 5 stamens and 1 ovary.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a leafless parasite up to

150 cm high. The stem is yellow or reddish, thread-like,

branched, with sucking roots, and climbing.

Habitat: The plant grows in Europe, Asia and South Africa.

Production: Dodder is the whole plant of Cuscuta

epithymum.

Other Names: Lesser Dodder, Dodder of Thyme, Devil's

Guts, Beggarweed, Hellweed, Strangle Tare, Scaldweed

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Saponins

Tannins

A purgative principle

The drug has been subjected to very little investigation.

EFFECTS

Dodder has hepatic and laxative effects.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Dodder is used for disorders of the urinary

tract, spleen and liver.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-

tion ot designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded. It is

conceivable that the drug triggers intestinal colic in cases of

overdosage.

LITERATURE

Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Pagnani F, Ciarallo G, (1974^ Boll Chim Farm 113(1):30.

Dog Rose

Rosa canina

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the petals, the Rose

hips with and without seeds and die seeds.

Flower and Fruit: The pink flowers are usually solitary or in

clusters of 2 or 3. The receptacle deepens to form a cup

whose upper edge the 5 pinnatifid sepals and 5 petals and

numerous stamens sit. There are long white silky hairs in ffie

receptacles and numerous ovaries. The ovaries grow into

stiff-haired nuts surrounded by the receptacle and become

the scarlet 'rosehip'.