PDR for Herbal Medicines

324/GALBANUM PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

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: Preparations for internal and

external use.

LITERATURE

Kern W, List PH. Horhammer L (Hrsg.l. Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Autl. Bde 1-8. Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Galega officinalis

See Goat's Rue

Galeopsis segetum

See Hempnettle

Galipea officinalis

See Angostura

Galium aparine

See Cleavers

Galium odoratum

See Sweet Woodruff

Galium verum

See Lady's Bedstraw

Gambir

Uncaria species
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the leaves and
young shoots of the plant.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are single or in loose, globose

inflorescences. The flowers are fused and grow in fives. The

corolla is funnel-shaped, the 2-part ovary is inferior. The

fruit is a loculicidal capsule opening on 2 sides. The seeds

are long-winged at both ends.

Leaves, Stem and Root: This woody liana or climbing shrub

has leaves that are opposite and short-petiolate. Young

branches are 4-sided or orbicular and have pairs of stipules.

Using Uncaria gambir as a prototype, the calyx is 5-tipped,

the corolla light purple. The leaves are 6 to 11 mm long with

a I to 2 cm long petiole, coriaceous, lanceolate to oval,

entire, pubescent at the veins. After the leaf-axillary flower

branches drop, a barbed tendril, which is 1 to 2 cm long and

woody, is formed.

Habitat: Indonesia and Malaysia

Production: Yellow catechu is the dried aqueous extract of

the leaves and young shoots of Uncaria gambir. Cultivated

stock is harvested, then the leaves and shoots are boiled with

water to form a decoction that is pressed and evaporated to

the consistency of syrup. The resulting lumps are dried in the

sun.

Not to be Confused With: Acacia

Other Names: Yellow Catechu

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Catechin tannins (20 to 50%): among them gambirines Al to

A3 (astringently active flavanol dimers)

Flavanols (JO to 50%): particularly (+)-catechin, gambirines

Bl to B3 (dimers)

Indole alkaloids of the beta-carboline type (presumably only

traces in the drug): including gambirtanine, dihydro-

gambirtanine

EFFECTS

The drug is astringent in effect because of the tannins it

contains, which are also said to exhibit antibacterial and

algicidal efficacy. The flavonoid fraction (cyanidanol = (+)-

catechin) is said to be hepatoprotective in effect.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Catechu tincture is used in folk medicine for

diarrhea, nausea and gastrointestinal disturbances. Decoction

is used for ulcers of the stomach and oral mucosa, and also

asthma. The effect for diarrhea appears plausible because of

the tannin content.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper

administration of designated therapeutic dosages.