PDR for Herbal Medicines

310 /FIELD SCABIOUS

Field Scabious

Knautia arvensis

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the leafy stem

including the flower heads and the fresh aerial parts of the

flowering plant.

Flower and Fruit: The flat-domed, composite flowers are on

long, pubescent, glandular or non-glandular pedicles. The

androgynous heads are 2 to 4 cm in diameter and contain 85

to 100 florets. The female capitula are smaller and contain 55

to 60 florets. The florets are blue-lilac, occasionally red-lilac

or yellowish-white to pure white. The lateral florets are ray-

like. The 2- to 3-rowed involucre bracts are lanceolate,

compressed and long-haired. The edge of the calyx has 8 to

16 bristles. The corolla is fused and 4 tipped. There are 4

stamens and 1 inferior ovary. The fruit is a nutlet 5 to 6 mm

long and about 2 mm wide. The fruit is thickly covered in

vertical hairs.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is perennial and 30 to 150

cm high. The rhizome is branched and has a strong taproot.

The rhizome produces a flowering stem from the leaf rosette,

which survives the winter. The stem is erect, lightly

branched and has short gray hairs. The leaves are opposite,

gray-green and matte. The lower ones are petioled, oblong

and entire-margined. The upper leaves are sessile, pinnatisect

and have lanceolate tips.

Habitat: The plant is found all over Europe except the

Arctic. It is also found in the Caucasus and western Siberia.

Production: Field Scabious herb consists of the leafy stems

and flower heads and also occasionally the root of Knautia

arvensis.

Other Names: Devil's Bit, Seabridge

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Triterpene saponins: knautioside (1.1-1.7%)

Steroids: sterols, including beta-sitosterol glucoside, knautio-

sides A and B

Iridoide monoterpenes: including dipsacan

Flavonoids: including leucanthoside, luteoloside

Tannins

EFFECTS
The drug is said to have an astringent, antiseptic, expectorant
and even purgative effect. None of these effects have been
proven.

PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The drug is used for chronic skin diseases,

eczema, anal fissures, pruritus ani, urticaria, scabies, favus,

and for the cleansing and healing of ulcers. It is also used to

treat coughs and throat complaints, as well as cystitis.

Homeopathic Uses: Field Scabious is used in homeopathic

remedies to treat respiratory tract inflammations and poor

digestion.

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: Decoction and infusion prepara-

tions are used both internally and externally.

Preparation: For preparation of the drug, use approximately

30 gm infusion or decoction, add to 1 liter of hot water,

strain and cool.

Daily Dosage: For chronic eczema, add 4 teaspoonfuls to 2

glasses of water, leave to draw for 10 minutes and drink

during the course of the day.

Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet or 10 globules every

30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic);

parenterally: 1 to 2 ml s.c, acute: 3 times daily; chronic:

once a day (HAB1).

LITERATURE

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.

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

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Figs

Ficus carica

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the fruit and the

tree sap latex.

Flower and Fruit: In its known form, the fig is neither a fruit

nor a flower. It is a hollow, fleshy receptacle enclosing

numerous flowers, which are never exposed to sunlight, but

nevertheless develop fully and produce seeds. The inflores-

cence is hidden in the body of the fruit. The edge of the pear-

shaped receptacle is curved inwards forming an almost

closed hollow space. The numerous fertile and sterile florets

are on the inner surface. When it ripens, the receptacle