260 /DWARF ELDER PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINESDOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Dwarf Elder is obsolete as a drug in
most countries. It is found in some tea mixtures, but is not
used in medicinal preparations.
LITERATURE
Gross GA, Phytochemische Untersuchungen von Inhaltsstoffen
der Zwergholunderwurzel, Dissertation Ziirich. 1985.
Frohne D, Pfander HJ, Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fur
Apotheker, Toxikologen und Biologen, 4. Aufl., Wiss.
Verlagsges. mbH Stuttgart 1997.
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.
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.
Petkov V, Markovska V, (1981) Plant Med Phytother 15(3): 172.
Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,- Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
Dyer's Broom
Genista tinctoria
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The entire plant has medicinal applications.
Flower and Fruit: The flowers are in short, terminal
racemes. They are golden yellow and bean-shaped, 1.5 to 2
cm long and are on pedicles, which are shorter than the
calyx. The petal stems of the 4 lower petals are initially
straight, but in moments of tension, when for instance, they
are touched by an insect, they curl down suddenly and the
flower opens. The fruit is a smooth pod 2.5 to 3.5 cm long. It
is brown, compressed at the sides, and contains 5 to 10
seeds.Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a 30 to 60 cm high,
always thornless subshrub with a creeping, woody rhizome.
The florescent green stems are smooth and produce fairly
rigid, smooth or pubescent forked branches, which sprout
lanceolate leaves. The leaves are alternate, glabrous, entire-
margined, 1.25 to 2.5 cm long, nearly sessile, and with a
ciliate margin. The stipules are linear-awl-shaped.
Habitat: Dyer's Broom is indigenous to the Mediterranean
region, the Canary Islands, Europe and western Asia, and
cultivated elsewhere, including the eastern U.S.Production: Dyer's Broom leaves are the green leaves of
Genista tinctoria.
Other Names: Dyer's Weed, Dyer's Greenwood, Dyer's
Whin, Furze, Green Broom, Greenweed, Wood Waxen
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Quinolizidine alkaloids: main alkaloids — cytisine, methyl-
cytisine, anagyrine, as well as isosparteine, lupanine,
tinctorinFlavonoids: in particular luteolin glycosides
Isoflavonoids: genistein, genistin
Lectins
EFFECTS
The drug acts as a purifier, cathartic, diuretic, purgative and
emetic. It increases heart rate, strengthens the walls of blood
vessels, stimulates kidney blood circulation and affects
metabolism.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Formerly, the drug was used as a purgative
and to remove bladder stones, as well as for digestive
disorders and gout. Once an infusion has been taken,
breathing deepens and pain in the lumbar and pelvic region
is alleviated.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
General: Health risks or side effects following the proper
administration of designated therapeutic dosages are not
recorded. Overdosage can lead to diarrhea and to symptoms
of a cystine poisoning. Anagyrine has exhibited teratogenic
effect in animal experiments.
Pregnancy: Not to be used during pregnancy.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: The drug is used internally as an
infusion.
Preparations: To prepare an infusion, use 1 teaspoonful of
the ground drug per cup of water.
Daily Dosage: Drink 1 to 2 cups of infusion daily.
LITERATURE
Atkinson JE et al., (1969) Tetrahedron 25:1507.
Bricout J, (1974) Phytochemistry 13:2819.
Harborne JB, (1969) Phytochemistry 8:1449.
Hrochova V, Sitaniova H, Farm Obz 51:131. 1982.
Inouye H et al., (1968) Tetrahedron Letters 4429.
Inouye H et al., (1970) Chem Pharm Bull 18:1856.
Lewis JR, Gupta P, (1971) J Chem Soc Chem Comm 4:629.
Rulko F, (1976) Pr Nauk Akad. Med Wroclawin 8:3.
Sadritdinov F, (1971) Farmakol Alkaloidov Serdechnykh
Glikozidov 146.