HERBAL MONOGRAPHS FEVER BARK/305

Preparation: To prepare a tea, leave 0.5 gm drug to steep in

cold water for 3 hours, then strain; the tea may be sweetened

with honey. A poultice is prepared as a thick paste made

from the powdered seeds: add 50 gm of powdered drug to lU

liter of boiling water for 5 minutes. To make a cold

maceration, soak 0.5 gm of drug in cold water, then filter.

LITERATURE
Abdo MS. Al-Khafawi AA, (1969) Planta Med 17:14.
Adamska M. Lutomski J, (1971) Planta Med 20:224.
Al-Meshal IA et al., (1985) Fitoterapia 56 (4):232.
Ali L et al.. Characterization of the hypoglycemic effect of
Trigonella foenum graecum seed. In: PM 61(4):358-360. 1995.
Bohlmann MB et al., (1974) Phytochemistry 13:1513.
Girardon P et al.. (1985) Planta Med 51 (6):533.
Girardou P et al., PM 51:533. 1985.
Gupta RK. Jain DC, Thakur RS, PH 23:2605. 1984.
Gupta RK. Jain DC, Thakur RS, PH 24:2399. 1986.
Gupta RK, Jain DC, Thakur RS, PH 25:2205. 1986.
Hardman R et al., (1980) Phytochemistry 19:698.
Ribes G et al.. (1986) Ann Nutr Metab. 28:37.
Ribes G et al., (1986) Phytother Res 1(1):40.
Ribes G et al.. (1986) Proc. Soc Exp Biol Med 183:159.
Sood AR et al., (1976) Phytochemistry 15:351.
Weder JK. Heufiner K, Z Lebensm Untersuch Forsch 193:242
et 321. 1991.
Further information in:
Chan, EH et al., (Eds.), Advances in Chinese Medicinal
Materials Research, World Scientific Pub. Co. Singapore 1985.
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.
Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used
in Food Drugs and Cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New

York 1980.

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.

Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

mbH Stuttgart 1997.

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

Stuttgart 1997.

Ferula foetida

See Asa Foetida

Ferula gummosa

See Galbanum

Ferula sumbul

See Sumbul

Fever Bark

AI st on ia constrict a

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the bark of the root

and trunk.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are creamy white and star-

shaped.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Alstonia are evergreen trees, which

grow to a height of 15 m. The leaves are glossy, oblong and

petiolate. The tree has a 2 to 7 cm rusty-brown, rugose

periderm, which is deeply fissured. The inner surface is

yellowish brown and coarsely striated longitudinally, frac-

ture fibrous.

Characteristics: The tree is a protected species in some

countries. The taste is very bitter, the odor is slightly

aromatic.

Habitat: Alstonia constricta is indigenous to Australia;

Alstonia scholaris is indigenous to India and the Philippines.

Production: Alstonia bark is the trunk and branch bark of

Alstonia constricta.

Other Names: Australian Quinine, Australian Febrifuge,

Alstonia Bark, Devil Tree, Dita Bark, Pale Mara, Devil's Bit,

Australian Fever Bush, Pali-Mara

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Indole alkaloids: including reserpine, deserpidine, alstonine,

tetrahydroalstonine, alstonidine, yohimbine

EFFECTS

The drug is said to be a febrifuge, antispasmodic and

antihypertensive. The antihypertensive effect is due to the

reserpine and echitamin content.

Daily Dose: The daily internal dose ot the drug is 6 gm. One

cup of the tea may be taken several times a day. For loss of

appetite, take 2 gm of cut drug with fluid 3 times daily,

before meals. The cold maceration can be drunk several

times a day.