HERBAL MONOGRAPHS GERMANDER / 337PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction
with the proper administration of designated therapeutic
dosages.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Since the efficacy for the claimed
uses are not documented, a therapeutic application cannot be
recommended. The cold maceration and the decoction are
used in folk medicine.
Preparation: A decoction is prepared by adding 3 gin drug
to 1 cup water. A cold maceration is made by adding 2
teaspoonfuls drug to 1/4 liter water.
Daily Dosage: The average daily dose is 3 gm drug as a
decoction. The cold maceration is dosed 1 cup, 2 to 3 times
daily.
LITERATURE
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.
Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck. Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.Germander
Teucrium chamaedrys
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the herb collected
during the flowering season.
Flower and Fruit: The flowers are 10 to 12 mm long and are
erect. They are arranged on long pedicles in l-to-6 blos-
somed, false racemes inclined to one side. The calyx is
tubular-campanulate, often tinged with red-violet and is
pubescent. The corolla is usually carmine red, occasionally
white. The stamens and styles are exserted. The nutlet is
ovoid, 1.5 to 2 cm long, smooth, finely reticulate and has a
large, circular, attaching surface.
Leaves, Stem.and Root: The plant is a subshrub with a short-
lived main root from which grow long-reaching, branched,
jm, thin woody roots and a stem-producing runner. The stems
are usually erect and branched. The older branches are
decumbent; the younger ones erect, tough, round and lanate.
The branches are occasionally covered in glandular hairs,
which are often red-violet. The leaves are in close pairs and
are always covered in teeth. They are summer-green and
have distinctly protruding pinnatifid ribs.
Habitat: The plant is indigenous to the Mediterranean region
as far as Anatolia and the Urals.
Production: Germander is the aerial part of Teucrium
chamaedrys.
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Volatile oil (0.07%): chief components beta-caryophyllene
(20%), humulene (15%)
Iridoide monoterpenes: including among others, harpagide,
acetyl harpagide
Diterpenes: including among others, teugin. teuflin, teufli-
din, dihydroteugin, teucrin A, B, E, F, G, marrubiinCajfeic acid derivatives: including among others, teucroside
Flavonoids: including among others, cirsiliol, cirsimaritin,
luteolinEFFECTS
The drug, which contains strong amaroids, is said to have a
cholagogic effect, but this has not been scientifically proven.
The toxic principle is therefore unknown. Higher doses or
poisoning results in hepatitis-like symptoms, which may
include liver cell necrosis.INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Germander is used as a digestive aid, as a
rinse for gout, as weight-loss aid and for fever.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
The drug is highly toxic and should not be used (see
PRECAUTIONS).
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
Liver cell necrosis has been observed following intake of the
drug. Symptoms include jaundice and an elevated level of
aminotransferase in the blood. One case of death has been
recorded. For that reason, the drug is not to be administered.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Germander is occasionally used in
tea mixtures (see PRECAUTIONS).
Daily Dosage: Dosages of more than 600 mg daily can cause
toxic effects.
LITERATURE
Chialva F et al., J High Res Chromatogr Chromatogr Commun
5:182. 1982.
Fikenscher LH, Hegnauer R, Plant Med Phytother 3(3): 183.
Malakov PY et al., PH 24:301-303. 1985.
Reinbold AM, Popa PD, (1974) Khim Prir Soedin. 589.
Rodriguez MC et al., (1984) Phytochemistry 23(7): 1467.
Rodriguez MC et al., PH 23:2960-2961. 1984.
Rovesti P, (1957) Ind Perf. 12:334.
Savona G et al., PH 21:721-723. 1982.