HERBAL MONOGRAPHS FLAX/313therapy for peripherally based dizziness as well as travel
sickness.
Indian Medicine: The seeds have been used externally in
India and on the Malaysian archipelago for gout, skin
diseases and parasites. The tender leaves are used as a
contracting agent for the womb after birth.
Homeopathic Uses: The drug is used for nervous exhaustion,
attacks of dizziness, cramps, paralysis, dysmenorrhea and
occipital headaches. Efficacy has not been proven.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
The drug is very poisonous. Mild poisonings cause head-
ache, dizziness, nausea, coordination disturbances, general
depression and spastic twitching.
OVERDOSAGE
With high dosages, the symptoms above are followed by
frequent vomiting, sleepiness and tonic-clonic spasms. Death
follows, often not until days later, through asphyxiation and
heart failure. Two to three Cocculus kernels can be fatal.
Treatment consists of inducing vomiting and/or gastric
lavage, purging with sodium sulphate, instillation of activa-
ted charcoal and forced diuresis. The spasms should be
suppressed with diazepam, but only as much as is absolutely
necessary. In case of fever, the patient should be wrapped in
ice packs, administered high-caloric infusions and possibly
given oxygen respiration. Phenothiazines and analeptics
should be avoided.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: In combination preparations.
How Supplied: Commercial preparations include ampules,
drops and tablets.
Preparation: Liquid extract is prepared using a l:l ratio of
the drug and 90% ethanol A mixture of the extract and
coconut oil is prepared using a ratio of 1:8Tincture: 1:10 tincture: 70% ethanolUnguetum cocculi: 125 g extract plus 650 g coconut oil plus
50 g beeswax and 250 g paraffinPicrotoxin extraction is made using special procedures;
maximum yield 1.5%
Daily Dosage: One to 5 mg can be taken by healthy patients
who do not experience side effects. For peripheral states of
dizziness: 1 mg to 5 mg (picrotoxin) slow intravenous
infusion. As a long-term treatment: 1 mg suppositories for 3
weeks.
Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet or 10 globules every
30 to 60 minutes (for acute conditions), or 1 ml twice a week
sc or ointment 1 or 2 times daily for chronic conditions. |
Storage: Because they are poisonous, preparations should be
secured in tightly closed containers, protected from light and
unauthorized access.
LITERATURE
Frohne D, Pikrotoxin - Renaisssance eines "obsoleten""
pflanzlichen Arzneistoffes. In: ZPT 10(3): 101. 1989.
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.
Hoppe HA, (1975-1987) Drogenkunde, 8. Aufl.. Bde 1-3. W.
de Gruyter Verlag, Berlin, New York.
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.
Steinegger E. Hansel R, Pharmakognosie. 5. Aufl., Springer
Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
mbH Stuttgart 1997.
Teuscher E. Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologic Chemie.
Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
Wagner H. Wiesenauer M. Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und
pflanzliche Homoopathika. Fischer-Verlag. Stuttgart. Jena. New
York 1995.
Flax
Linum usitatissimum
TRADE NAMES
Bio flax, Flaxseed Oil, New Energy
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the stem as a sterile
linen thread, the oil extracted from the seeds, the dry ripe
seeds, the linseed cakes and the fresh flowering plant.Flower and Fruit: The flowers are panicle-like loose cymes
on long peduncles in the leaf axils of the upper part of the
stem. They have 5 ovate, acuminate, finely ciliate sepals and
5 obovate petals, which are sky blue and longer than the
sepals. There are 5 stamens fused at the base and 1 ovary.
The fruit is an almost globular, 6 to 8 mm long capsule on an
erect or slightly bent stem. The seeds are flat, brown and
glossy.
Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is an annual and grow>
from 20 to 150 cm high. The root is short, fusiform and light
I yellow. The stem is unbranched, erect or ascending in shon