PDR for Herbal Medicines

326 /GAMBOGE PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Resins (70-75%): consisting mainly of yellow or red-colored

benzophenones and xanthones, including morellic acid,

isomorellic acid, alpha-gambogic acid (alpha-guttic acid)

Mucilages (25-30%)

EFFECTS

The drug's mucilage content produces a strong laxative

effect. The beta gutteriferine componant acts as a strong

irritant to intestinal mucous membranes and also exhibits

antimicrobial properties.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Gamboge is used for the treatment of

digestive disorders, in particular constipation, and is used in

combination with other laxatives.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

As little as 0.2 g of the drug can lead to abdominal pain and

vomiting.

OVERDOSAGE

Fatalities have been observed with administration of 4 g.

DOSAGE

No information is available in the literature.

LITERATURE

Hegnauer R, Chemotaxonomie der Pflanzen, Bde 1-11.

Birkhauser Verlag Basel. Boston. Berlin 1962-1997.

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

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

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Lewin L, Gifte und Vergiftungen, 6. Aufl., Nachdruck, Haug

Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.

Lu GB et al., (1984) Yao Hsueh Husueh Pao 19 (8): 636.

Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und

pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena. New

York 1995.

Garcinia hanburyi

See Gamboge

Garden Cress

Lepidium sativum
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the fresh or dried
herb harvested during or shortly after the flowering season.

Flower and Fruit: The racemes are terminal or axillary. The

sepals are elliptical, 1 to 1.5 mm long and bristly downy. The

petals are longer than the calyx, white or reddish, oblong-

spatulate and indistinctly stemmed. The anthers are often

violet. The fruit is a compressed, orbicular-ovate, 5 to 6 mm

long, clearly winged small pod on an erect stem. The seeds %

are ovate, almost smooth and red-brown.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Garden Cress is a 20 to 40 cm high

herb with a glabrous bluish bloom. The stem is erect, round

and branched. The leaves are light green and thin. The basal

leaves are usually lyrate-pinnatesect. The lower cauline

leaves are usually doubly or singly pinnatesect. All leaves

have dentate to prickly segments.

Characteristics: Garden Cress has a radish-like taste. The

seeds have a slimy skin and swell in water.

Habitat: The herb is grown worldwide.

Production: Garden Cress is the fresh plant (aerial part) of

Lepidium sativum, harvested during the flowering season or

shortly afterward. The fresh herb has a spicy odor. It is rarely

dried, either naturally or artificially, since the fresh plant is

used most often.

*

Not to be Confused With: Adulterations rarely occur, since it

is usually cultivated.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS: IN THE FRESH FOLIAGE

Glucosinolates: chief components glucotropaeolin, yielding

benzyl isothiocyanate (benzyl mustard oil) and its autolysis

products (including benzyl cyanide, 3-phenyl propionitrile,

benzaldehyde) when the plant is bruised

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C, 37%)

COMPOUNDS: IN THE SEEDS

Glucosinolates (3.5 to 5.3%): glucotropeolin

Cucurbitacins

Cardiac steroids (cardenolides)

EFFECTS

The antibacterial action of Garden Cress has been demon-

strated in various tests. It was completely inhibitory in the

case of 3 microorganisms, although the antibacterial charac- W

teristics depended largely on the age of the plants used. An

antiviral effect against the encephalitis virus Columbia SH,

was demonstrated in tests on mice. Its diuretic action has not

been proven through experiments.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The herb is used for coughs, vitamin C

deficiency, constipation, poor immunity and as a diuretic.