PDR for Herbal Medicines

380 /GUMWEED PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Kem W, List PH, Hdrhammer L (Hrsg.). Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York. 1969.

Lewin L, Gifte und Vergiftungen, 6. Aufl., Nachdruck, Haug

Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.

Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Mascolo, N et al., (1987) Phytother Res 1(1):28.

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In: ZPT 9(3):86. 1988.

Timmermann B et al., (1985) Phytochemistry 24(5): 1031.

Wagner H, Wiesenauer M. Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und

pflanzliche Homoopathika. Fischer-Verlag. Stuttgart, Jena. New

York 1995.

Guraea rusbyi

See Cocillana Tree

Haematoxylon

campechianum

See Logwood

Hagenia abyssinica

See Kousso

Hamamelis virginiana

See Witch Hazel

Haronga

Haronga madagascariensis
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts of the tree are the
leaves and bark.
Flower and Fruit: The inflorescences are richly blossomed,
terminal and umbel-like, with a diameter of about 20 cm.
The flowers are small and white; they have 5 sepals, 5 petals,
4 stamens and a fanned ovary with 2 ovules per section. The
fruit is a roundish, reddish drupe. The seeds (approximately

10) are cylindrical and have black glandular hairs and a

reticulate surface structure.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Haronga madagascariensis is a small

evergreen tree that grows up to 8 m high with a heavily

branched crown. It has opposite, elliptical-oval leaves, which

are rounded to cordate at the base and dotted black. The

upper surface is dark green. The lower surface has red-brown

hairs.

Habitat: The plant originated in Madagascar and east Africa;

it grows in many areas throughout tropical Africa.

Production: Haronga is a collective term for extracts from

the leaves and bark of the trunk and branches of Haronga

madagascariensis, as well preparations made from those

components. The leaves are collected and then air-dried

whole; the bark is peeled and also air-dried.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Anthracene derivatives: including harunganin, madagascin,

madagascinanthrone, haronginanthrone, chrysophanol, phys-

cione, hypericin, pseudohypericin, madagascarine

Volatile oil (traces)

Oligomeric procyanidins

Flavonoids (in the leaves): including quercetin-3-O-arabin-

soide, quercetin-3-O-xyloside, quercitrin

EFFECTS

Haronga has a digestion regulatory effect through stimula-

tion of the excretory function of the pancreas and gastric

juice secretion. In animal experiments, it has demonstrated a

choleretic, cholecystokinetic and antihepatoxic effect. An

antimicrobial effect has also been observed.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Dyspeptic complaints

Unproven Uses: Haronga is used for mild exocrine pancreat-

ic insufficiency. Internal uses of the bark and leaves in folk

medicine include constipation, diarrhea, liver and gallbladder

conditions, worm infestations, gonorrhea, hemorrhoids, men-

strual disturbances and puerperal fever. The bark is used

externally for eczema. The effect for the external application

seems plausible because of the drug's antibacterial effect.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

The drug is not to be used in patients with acute pancreatitis,

severe liver function disorders, gallstone illnesses, obstruc-

tion of the biliary ducts, gallbladder empyema or ileus.