HERBAL MONOGRAPHS GUAIAC /375(Drogen): Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-
1994.
Madaus G. Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.
Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.Guaiac
Guaiacum officinale
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The primary medicinal part is the resin of
the heartwood, which is used for various preparations. The
wood also has some medicinal properties.
Flower and Fruit: The pale blue star-shaped flowers are in
false umbels with 6 to 10 blooms that have 2 cm long
pedicles. There are 5 sepals, 5 petals, 10 stamens and a
bilocular ovary. The fruit is a bilocular, cordate capsule that
is compressed at the side and contains a long and hard seed,
in each chamber.
j* Leaves, Stem and Root: Guaiacum officinale is an evergreen
tree that grows to 13 m high and has a greenish-brown.
usually twisted trunk covered in furrowed bark. The heart-
wood is greenish brown and heavier than water, with an
aromatic taste. The opposite leaves are short-petioled,
coriaceous and di- to tri-pinnate. The leaflets are ovate or
oblong, obtuse and entire-margined.
Characteristics: The shavings turn green on exposure to the
air and blue-green in the presence of nitrogen.
Habitat: The plant grows in Florida, on the Antilles, in
Guayana, Venezuela and Columbia. It is closely related to
Guaiacum sanctum, which grows in the Bahamas and
southern Florida.
Production: Guaiac wood consists of the heartwood and
sapwood of Guaiacum officinale and/or Guaiacum sanctum.
Other Names: Guaiacum, Lignum Vitae, Pockwood
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY '
COMPOUNDS
4|f° Triterpene saponins: aglycone oleanolic acid
Resin: containing, among others, the lignans (-)-guaiaretic
acid, dihydroguajaretic acid, guaiacin
Isoguajacin: alpha-guaiaconic acid, tetrofuroguaiacine A and
B
Volatile oil: chief components sesquiterpene alcohols; such
as guaiole, which changes into quaiazulene with steam
distillationEFFECTS
Guaiacum officinale is fungistatic because of its saponin
content.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE- Rheumatism
Guaiac is used as supportive therapy for rheumatic
complaints.Unproven Uses: Although folk medicine use has declined, it
is used for respiratory complaints, skin disorders and syphilis
in the Caribbean.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-
tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded. High
dosages of the drug can lead to diarrhea, gastroenteritis and
intestinal colic. Skin rashes have also been observed
following intake of the drug.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: The comminuted wood is used for
decoctions and other galenic preparations for internal use.
The essential oil. known as guaiac wood oil. must be
evaluated separately.How Supplied: Forms of commercial pharmaceutical prepa-
rations include drops, ointments and compound preparations.
Preparation: To make an infusion, use 1.5 g drug in 1 cup
cold water (150 ml). Slowly bring to a boil, remove from
heat and let steep, then strain after 15 minutes.
Daily Dosage: The average daily dose is 4 to 5 g of the drug.
When using a tincture (Guajaci Ligni Tinctura), 20 to 40
drops make a single dose.
LITERATURE
Ahmad VU, Bano N, Bano S, PH 23:2612-2616. 1984.
Ahmad VU, Bano N, Bano S, PH 25:951-952. 1986.
King FE, Wilson JG, (1964) J Chem Soc:4011-4024.
King FE, Wilson JG, J Chem Soc: 1572-1580. 1965.
Kratochvil JF et al., (1971) Phytochem 10:2529.
Majuinder PL, Bhattacharya M, (1974) Chem Ind 77.
Schrecker AW, (1957) J Am Chem Soc 79:3823.
Further information in:
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.
Lewin L, Gifte und Vergiftungen, 6. Aufl., Nachdruck. Haug
Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.
Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimirtel, Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.