PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS HARTSTONGUE/381

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-

tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded.

Photosensitization in fair-skinned people can be caused by

hypericin and pseudohypericin, but is unlikely due to the

4gt, small size of therapeutic dosages.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: As comminuted Haronga bark with

leaves for decoctions, extracts and other preparations.

How Supplied: Forms of commercial pharmaceutical repara-

tions include drops, tablets and compound preparations.

Preparation: Extracts are standardized to 0.1% chrysophanic

acid derivatives; tinctures are standardized to 0.01% chryso-

phanic acid derivatives.

Daily Dosage: The average daily dose is 7.5 to 15 mg of an

aqueous-alcoholic dry extract corresponding to 25 to 50 mg

drug.

LITERATURE

^ Baldi A et al.. Polyphenols from Harungana madagascarienis.

• In: PM 58(7)91. 1992.

Buckley DG et al., Aust J Chem 25:843-855. 1972.

Fisel J et al., DAZ 106:1053-1060. 1966.

Gehrmann B, Analytische Studie an Harungana

madagascariensis Lam. ex Poir. In: Dissertation Universitat

Hamburg. 1989.

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.

Messerschmidt W, DAZ 106:1209-1211. 1966.

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

Verlag Heidelberg 1992.

• Haronga madagascariensis

See Haronga

Harpagophytum procumbens

See Devil's Claw

Hartstongue

Scolopendrium vulgare

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the frond.

Flower and Fruit: Two rows of large sporangia lie almost

horizontally on the under surface of the fronds, with a long

film stretching toward the margin.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The evergreen plant is a fern with

long, wide, simple, short-petioled dark green fronds. They

are arranged in clusters and are broad linear-lanceolate, 2-

lobed cordate at the base and acuminate higher up, with a

sinuate margin. The stem is covered in brown, almost hair-

like scales. The root is bushy, short and sturdy.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to almost all of Europe,

North America, northern Africa, and eastern Asia.

Production: Hartstongue is the aerial part of Scolopendrium

vulgare.

Other Names: Hind's Tongue, Horse Tongue, Buttonhole,

God's-Hair

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Tannins

Mucilages

Flavonoids: including among others, kaempferol-7-rhamno-

side-3-coffeoyl-7-diglucoside

Thiaminase (probably present only in the fresh plant)

Monosaccharides/oligosaccharides: saccharose, invert sugar

EFFECTS

Hartstongue is a diuretic and has a mild laxative effect.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Hartstongue is used in folk medicine for

digestive disorders, urinary tract diseases, and spleen and

liver complaints.

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: Hartstongue is used internally as an

infusion.

LITERATURE

Hegnauer R, Chemotaxonomie der Pflanzen, Bde 1-11:

Birkhauser Verlag Basel, Boston, Berlin 1962-1997.