PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS GOLDENSEAL/ 355

and silvery haired underneath. The young bark is smooth and

greenish-gray. Older bark is dark brown and rough.

Habitat: India, Africa and South America

Production: Cassia pods are the dried ripe fruit of Cassia
fistula.
Not to be Confused With: Very occasionally the tree has
been confused with South American Cassia species.
Other Names: Canafistula. Indian Laburnum, Pudding Pipe
Tree, Purging Cassia
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Anthracene derivatives (1% in the mesocarp): sennosides,
fistulinic acid
Monosaccharides/oligosaccharides (50%): particularly sac-
charose
Fruit acids: citric acid
Steroids: sterols (in the seeds), including beta-sitosterol
Fatty oil (in the seeds)
EFFECTS
The anthracene derivatives have a laxative effect. Prepara-
tions from the fruit have demonstrated antimicrobial and
antiviral effects in vitro.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Indian Medicine: Golden Shower Tree is used for flatulence,
constipation, fever, anorexia, gout, jaundice, itching and skin
conditions. Efficacy for constipation is plausible because of
the anthranoid content; the other indications have not been
proven.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
The drug is contraindicated with ileum, acute-inflammatory
diseases of the intestine and appendicitis. It is also contrain-
dicated for children under 12 years of age and for women
during pregnancy or while nursing.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper
administration of designated therapeutic dosages. The ques-
tion of the increase in probability of the appearance of
carcinomas in the colon following long-term administration
of Anthracene drugs has not yet been fully clarified. Recent
studies, however, have revealed no connection between the
administration of Anthracene drugs and the frequency of
carcinomas of the colon.
OVERDOSAGE
In the case of overdose, cramp-like gastrointestinal com-
plaints could occur as a side effect of the laxative effect of
the drug. Prolonged administration leads to loss of electro-

lytes, particularly of potassium ions, which in turn leads to

aldosteronism, albuminuria, hematuria, inhibition of intesti-

nal motility, muscle weakness, enhancement of the effect of

cardioactive steroids and an influence upon the effect of

antiarrhythmics. In rare cases, administration of the drug

may lead to cardiac arrhythmia, nephropathy, edema and

accelerated osteoclasis.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Whole drug preparations are for

internal use.

Preparation: To prepare an extract, use pulp and distilled

water in a 1:1 ratio, macerate, then exhaustively percolate

with distilled water and filter. Evaporate to a soft extract.

Daily Dosage: 4 to 8 gm of fruit pulp

LITERATURE

el-Saadany SS, el-Massry RA, Labib SM, Sitohy MZ, The

biochemical role and hypocholesterolaemic potential of the

legume Cassia fistula in hypercholesterolaemic rats. Nahrung,

35:807-15, 1991.

Esposito Avella M, Diaz A, de Gracia I, de Tello R, Gupta

MP, Evaluation of traditional medicine: effects of Cajanus cajan

L. and of Cassia fistula L. on carbohydrate metabolism in mice.

Rev Med Panama, 16:39-45, 1991 Jan.

Esposito Avella M, Diaz A, de Gracia I, de Tello R, Gupta

MP, Studies on the possibilities to infect the cells of callus of

Cassia fistula by an animal virus & induce production of

interferon-like antiviral factor(s). Indian J Exp Biol, 16:349-55,

1981 Apr.

Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H. Schneider G (Ed), Hagers

Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6

(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-

1994.

Goldenseal

Hydrastis canadensis

TRADE NAMES

Golden Seal, Goldenseal (Available from numerous manu-

facturers), Goldenseal Power, Golden Seal Herb, Golden

Seal Root, Golden Seal Plus, Goldenseal Root Alcohol Free,

Herbal Sure Goldenseal Root

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the air-dried

rhizome with the root fibers.

Flower and Fruit: The flower is small, solitary, terminal and

erect. It has 3 small greenish white petals which drop as soon

as they come out. The fruit is a group of small, fleshy,