296 /EUROPEAN PEONY PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINESStorage: Store protected from light and moisture for no
longer than 1 year.
EUROPEAN PEONY ROOT
Mode of Administration: European Peony root is adminis-
tered as a tincture. European Peony flowers are used as an
inactive ingredient in cough and fumigant teas and as a
coloring agent in cough syrup.
How Supplied: Forms of commercial pharmaceutical prepa-
rations include drops and compound preparations.
Daily Dosage: Tincture: 30 to 50 drops daily.
Storage: Store protected from light and moisture for no
longer than 1 year.
LITERATURE
Caesar W, Die Pfingstrose. In: DAZ 130(23): 1339. 1990.
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.
Hikino H, Economic and Medicinal Plant Research, Vol I.,
Academic Press UK 1985.
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.
Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,- Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
Stuttgart 1997.
European Sanicle
Sanicula europaea
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the fresh flowering
herb and the basal leaves collected during the flowering
season and dried.
Flower and Fruit: The white or reddish inflorescences form
a cyme with small head-like umbels with 4 to 6 linear bracts.
The calyx is 5-tipped and there are 5 petals. The androgy-
nous florets are in the center of the small umbel surrounded
by 10 to 20 male florets. The ribless fruit is densely covered
with barbed thorns and almost globular, with long styles that
curve downwards. The mericarps are distinctly domed and
almost flat at the narrow groove. There are numerous oil
lines.
Leaves, Stem and Root: The perennial, plant grows 20 to 40
cm high. The short rhizome is solid, horizontal, multi-
segmented, broken off and covered in thick fibers. It has
scales formed by leaf stalk remnants at the neck and has a
number of segments. The stem is usually undivided, erect,
grooved, and has only 1 to 2 sessile leaves. The leaves are
basal, long-petioled, and palmate with 5 lobes. The tips are
3-lobed. The lateral tips are divided in 2 and especially
glossy underneath.Characteristics: The taste is slightly salty, bitter and dry.Habitat: The plant is indigenous to Europe, Asia Minor, the
Caucasus, western Siberia, northern Africa, and in the
mountains of tropical Africa.Production: European Sanicle consists of the dried, above-
ground parts of Sanicula europaea, which is collected in the
wild.Not to be Confused With: Commercially, the herb may be
mixed with leaves of Cardamine enneaphylos. In some areas,
Astrantia major is labeled as sanicle and used accordingly in
folk medicine.Other Names: Poolroot, Self-Heal, SanicleACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Triterpene saponins (up to 13%): including among others,
acyl-saniculosides A-D, aglycones including A1-barrigenol,
Rl-barrigenol, barringtogenolCaffeic acid derivatives: rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acidFlavonoids: chief components rutin, isoquercitrin, astragalinEFFECTS
The drug has a mild astringent and expectorant effect. It also
reduces edema in animal experiments. The saponin complex
has been shown to be antimicrobial and antifungal.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Approved by Commission E:- Cough/bronchitis
European Sanicle is used for mild inflammation of the
mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.Unproven Uses: Past external uses in folk medicine have
included wounds and contusions, and European Sanicle has
been used internally for stomach inflammations and bloody
vomiting, among other applications.Homeopathic Uses: The primary application of European
Sanicle in homeopathy is for diarrhea.