PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS GALBANUM /323

tism, arthritis, as a blood purifier, hypoglycemia and for

infections.

Homeopathic Uses: for chronic, itching eczema resulting

j^t from liver disease.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-

tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Comminuted drug and its galenic

preparations for internal use.

Preparation: To prepare an infusion, pour boiling water over

2 to 3 gm drug and strain after 20 minutes.

Daily Dosage: 6 gm of drug. Infusions for gallbladder

complaints, drink 1 warm cup 30 minutes before meals.

Pressed juice—2 to 3 teaspoons (2.4 to 3.5 gm drug) daily as

a cold or hot infusion.

Grated fresh plant—1 teaspoon 3 times daily (about 50%

plant material).

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 sc acute: 3 times daily; chronic: once

a day (HAB34).

Storage: Protect from light and moisture.

LITERATURE
Duke JA, (1985) Die amphocholeretische Wirkung der Fumaria
officinalis. Z Allg Med 34: 1819.
Hahn R, Nahrstedt A, High Content of Hydroxycinnamic Acids
Esterified with (+)-D-Malic-Acid in the Upper Parts of
Fumaria officinalis. In: PM 59(2): 189. 1993.
Mardirossian ZH et al.. PH 22:759. 1983.
Willaman JJ, Hui-Li L (1970) Lloydia 33 (3A): 1.
Further information in:
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-
W 1994.

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

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,

4. 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.

Galanthus nivalis

See Snowdrop

Galbanum

Ferula gummosa

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the oily gum-resin.

Two types of Galbanum are used: Levant or Soft Galbanum

is more viscous and often contains small root pieces. Persian

or Hard Galbanum sometimes contains pieces of stem and is

friable in texture.

Flower and Fruit: The plant bears yellowish-white flowers

in a few flat umbels. The fruit is thin and flat. The seeds are

glossy.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Ferula gummosa is a perennial plant

with a firm, smooth and hollow stem that grows up to 1.75 m

tall. The leaflets are glossy, ovate, wedge-shaped and have

sharply serrate margins.

Characteristics: The gum-resin occurs in translucent, yel-

lowish or bluish-green masses of tears. Soft Galbanum

(Levant) is more viscous and may contain small pieces of

root. Hard Galbanum (Persian) is friable and may contain

pieces of stem. The odor is similar to musk or turpentine.

Habitat: The plant is found in central Asia, Iran, the

Mediterranean region and also at the Cape of Good Hope.

Production: Galbanum is the resin from the roots and trunk

of Ferula gummosa and other related varieties. The exuding

resin is collected from the pith without wounding the plant.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Resinous substances (60%): chiefly galbaresenic acid and

galbanic acid

Mucilages (40%)

Volatile oil (10-20%): including among others, alpha-pi-

nenes, beta-pinenes, myrcene, cadinenes, guaiazulene, aroma

bearer undecatriene

EFFECTS

The drug acts as stimulant, expectorant, and vulnerary. In

vitro an antimicrobial effect has been proven.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Internally, Galbanum is used for digestive

disorders and flatulence; externally it is used in the treatment

of wounds.