PDR for Herbal Medicines

378 /GUARANA

juice as a drink. It is not in use as a drug. It is available in

various medicinal preparations.

How Supplied:

Capsules — 200 mg

Liquid — 1:1

Tablets — 800 mg. 1000 mg

Daily Dosage: Average single dose: 1 gm of the powder

Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 10 globules every 30 to 60

minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times a day (chronic): parenterally:

1 to 2 ml sc, acute: 3 times daily: chronic: once a day

(HAB34)

LITERATURE

Frohne D, Guarana; - der neue Muntermacher. In: DAZ

133(3):218. 1993.

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.

Katzung W, Guarana: - ein Naturprodukt mit hohem

Coffeingehalt. In: Med Mo Pharm 16(11):330-333. 1993.

Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used

in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. John Wiley & Sons Inc.. New

York, 1980.

Steinegger E, Hansel R. Pharmakognosie. 5. Aufl., Springer

Verlag Heidelberg 1992.

Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

Stuttgart 1997.

Wichtl M (Ed.), Teedrogen. 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges. Stuttgart

1997.

Gum Arabic

Acacia Senegal

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The latex from the trunk and branches is

the medicinal part of the plant.

Flower and Fruit: The inflorescences, which grow from the

leaf axils, are up to 10 cm long. The flowers are white and

grow in cylindrical, dense spikes. The calyx is cup-shaped

with 5 sepals. The 5 petals are lanceolate. The numerous

stamens are long and fused at the base. The pods are about

10 cm long and contain 5 to 6 shiny brown seeds.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Acacia Senegal is up to 6 m tall with
a 12 to 25 cm thick, slightly leaning trunk, which has knotty
branches and a thin crown. The sapwood is white and the
heartwood is black. The bark is fibrous, gray on the outside

PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

and rust-colored on the inside. The leaves are double

abruptly pinnate. The leaflets are in 10 to 15 pairs, narrow,

gray-green, up to 5 mm long, opposite and very short-

petioled. There are 2 to 3 stipules, which have formed into

thorns, and are covered on the" upper surface with yellow,

fleshy glands.

Habitat: Acacia Senegal is found in the tropical Savannah

belt of Africa, in the southern Sahara (Senegal, Gambia), in

Arabia, Beludschistan and Sind. Grown in forest-like condi-

tions in the western and southwestern Sahara region (Sene-

gal, Gambia, Ivory Coast, northern Dahomey and northern

Nigeria).

Production: Acacia gummi, the latex, is the result of a

wound infection of the tree, which has occurred naturally or

has been induced. The incised bark is removed in strips of

approximately 4 cm by 60 cm. The liquid discharge dries to

form a hard, glazed substance, which is collected on a

weekly basis. The latex is harvested from trees, ranging from

3 to 12 years old.

Not to be Confused With: According to DAB 10 (EUR), USP

XXII, only latex from Acacia Senegal or other African

varieties are officially recognized. In other words, Asian,

Australian and American latex are not official.

Other Names: Acacia, Cape Gum, Egyptian Thorn, Gum

Acacia, Gum Senegal

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Colloidally soluble polysaccharides: especially Arabic acid

(acidic arabinogalactan)

Glycoproteins

EFFECTS

No information is available.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Acacia gummi is used in the preparation of

emulsions. The drug is used as a mild stimulant and to

impede absorption. It is also used for the treatment of catarrh

and diarrhea. Acacia is often a constituent of cough drops. It

is also used in veterinary medicine for mild diarrhea in small

animals, foals and calves.

PRECAUTIONS 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: Acacia is used as a pharmaceutical

aid and is also administered internally in combination

preparations.