PDR for Herbal Medicines

336/GERMAN IPECAC PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

and bruising. The drug can also be found in homeopathic

preparations.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

According to older scientific literature, "vincetoxin" in high

dosages causes vomiting, apnea and cardiac paralysis in

animal experiments. Seed extracts led to advancing paralysis

of the central nervous system. Poisonings of humans have

not been found in recent reports.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: As an infusion, powdered drug.

alcoholic extract and homeopathic dilution.

Preparation: The drug is prepared as an infusion.

Daily Dosage: The infusion should be administered under

medical supervision.

LITERATURE

Froiine D, Plunder HJ. Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fur

Apotheker. Toxikologen und Biologen. 4. Autl. Wiss.

Verlagsges. mbH Stuttgart 1997.

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.

Kennard O et al.. Tetrahedron Letters 3799-3804. 1968.

Lewin L. Gifte und Vergihungen. 6. Autl., 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,

4. Aufl.. Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
   Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
   Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
   Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
   Pharmakologie. 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.

German Sarsaparilla

Car ex arenaria
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the dried rhizome.
Flower and Fruit: The inflorescence is somewhat hanging
and consists of 6 to 16 ovoid, 1 cm long, terminal, straight,
greenish spikes. The lower ones are female; the middle ones
are female at the base and male at the tip. The upper ones are
only male. These are simple greenish unisexual flowers
without a corolla. They have 1 husk with an ovary
surrounded by a tubular-like involucre. The style has 2
stigmas, 3 stamens and a fruit oval. It is somewhat acute at

both ends, and the tube has a winged edge. The flowers form

many blossomed spikelets, which in turn form a terminal,

oblong ear. The middle spikelets contain male flowers at the

tip and female flowers at the base. The upper spikelets are

male. "

Leaves, Stem and Root: German Sarsaparilla is a 15 to 45 cm

high plant with a 2 to 5 mm thick, horizontally creeping

rhizome, which produces extremely long runners. The plant

has black-brown basal leaves, which break up into long

fibers. The stem is sturdy, upright and about 1 mm thick. It is

sharply triangular, rough above, and surrounded by brown

leaf sheaths at the base. The leaves are linear and usually

grooved. The lamina are rigid and gradually tapering forward

to the involute tip. The roots form such a thick mass that they

prevent water from getting in and thus prevent the washing

away of dykes and dams.

Characteristics: The rootstock has an aromatic-turpentine

odor.

Habitat: The plant grows in Europe mainly on the Atlantic,

Baltic and southern Scandinavian coasts as far as central

Germany. It was introduced to the American Atlantic coast.

Production: German Sarsaparilla consists of the dried,

underground parts of Carex arenaria. The root is dug up in

March and April, dried and cut into pieces for sale.

Not to be Confused With: Other Carex varieties

Other Names: Red Sedge, Sand Sedge, Red Couchgrass, Sea

Sedge

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Saponins

Volatile oil: contents include methyl salicylate and cineol

Flavonoids: including tricine

Tannin: (8 to 10%, catechin tannins)

EFFECTS

There are no studies available on efficacy. The main

constituents, saponins, essential oil and flavones, as well as

the tannins, are most likely responsible for the effect.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: There are no documented indications to

date. In folk medicine, preparations of German Sarsaparilla

are used for the prevention of gout, rheumatism, inflamma-

tion of the joints, for skin ailments and as a diaphoretic and

diuretic; further, for venereal disease, flatulence, colic, liver

disorders, diabetes, edema, lung tuberculosis and

amenorrhea.