HERBAL MONOGRAPHS GREEN TEA / 369Steroid saponins
EFFECTS
The steroid saponin mixture helleborin is severely toxic and
irritating to mucous membranes (ptarmic). It exhibits digi-
«• talis-like effects through the cardioactive glycosides it
contains (hellebrin). The alkaloids it contains produce an
excitation of the motor centers, eventually leading to
convulsions and respiratory failure and triggering bradycar-
dia in the heart and a negatively inotropic effect.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: The drug is obsolete today because the risks
of use are considered too high, given that efficacy for
previously accepted indications has not yet been proven.Previous uses in folk medicine included nausea, constipation
and worm infestation. Root preparations were used also for
heart failure and as a diuretic. Helleborus viridis was
employed as a laxative according to Hager (around 1930)
and was important in homeopathic medicine.Homeopathic Uses: Helleborus viridis is used for diarrhea.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
^ The drug is not to be administered in allopathic medicine. No
risks are known in connection with the administration of
homeopathic dosages of the drug.
OVERDOSAGE
The mucous membrane-irritating effect of the saponins
appears to play the largest role in poisonings with the drug.
resulting in scratchiness in mouth and throat, salivation.
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, shortness of breath,
and possible convulsions and asphyxiation. The ingestion of
very large dosages leads to disorders of cardiac function
(cardiac arrhythmias).Following gastrointestinal emptying (gastric lavage, sodium
sulfate) and the administration of activated charcoal, the
treatment for poisonings consists of the treatment of spasms
with diazepam (i.v.), electrolyte substitution and the counter-
ing of any acidosis that may appear through sodium
bicarbonate infusions. Intubation and oxygen respiration may
also be required.Cases of fatal poisonings are known among animals who fed
£f on the leaves of the plant.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Whole, cut and powdered drug.
Daily Dosage: 1 g drug; maximum single dosage: 0.2 g drug.Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet or 10 globules every
to 30 to 60 minutes (acute) and 1 to 3 times daily (chronic);
parenterally: 1 to ml sc acute, 3 times daily; chronic: once a
day (HAB34).Storage: Store securely.
LITERATURE
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.
Johnson CT, Routledge JK, Suspected helleborus viridis
poisoning of cattle. Vet Rec, 89:202, 1971 Aug 14.Green Tea
Camellia sinensis
TRADE NAMES
Green Tea Leaf (available from numerous manufacturers and
as a combination product,) Green Tea Extract, Green Tea,
Standardized Green Tea Extract, Green Tea Power, Chinese
Green Tea Bags, Green Tea Power Caffeine Free
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the very young
downy leaves, from which green or black tea is prepared
according to the treatment being given.Flower and Fruit: The flowers grow short-pedicled and
singly or in clusters of a few flowers in the leaf axils. They
are white or pale pink and have a diameter of 3 to 5 cm. The
flowers have between 5 and 7 sepals and petals at a time.
The petals are fused at the base with the numerous stamens.
The ovary has 3 chambers. The fruit is a greenish-brown,
woody capsule with a diameter of 1 to 1.5 cm and contains 1
to 3 smooth brown seeds.
Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is an evergreen, heavily-
branched shrub. The leaves are glossy dark green, alternate,
short-petiolate, coreacious, lanceolate or elongate-ovate and
roughly serrate. The young leaves appear silver because of
the covering of downy hairs on the surface.
Habitat: The plant does not originate in the wild. It was
originally cultivated in China and is grown as a tea plant
today in India, China, Sri Lanka, Japan, Indonesia, Kenya,
Turkey, Pakistan, Malawi and Argentina.
Production: Tea leaves are the fermented and/or dried leaves
of Camellia sinensis. Harvesting takes place under stringent
quality control. Green Tea is produced by steaming the
fresh-cut leaf. Black Tea is produced by allowing the leaves
to oxidize. During oxidation, enzymes present in the tea
convert many of the polyphenolic therapeutic substances to
less active compounds. Oxidation does not occur with Green
Tea because die steaming process inactivates die enzymes
responsible for oxidation. The anti-oxidant activity of Green
Tea is six times greater than that of Black Tea.