PDR for Herbal Medicines

384 /HEATHER PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

kidneys and the lower urinary tract, and for enlargement of

the prostate. They are also used for gastrointestinal disorders,

colic, liver and gallbladder disease, gout, rheumatism,

respiratory complaints, insomnia, agitation and wounds.

The efficacy for the claimed uses is not documented.

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: Whole, cut and powdered forms are

available for internal and external use.

Preparation: A decoction is prepared by adding 1.5 gm of

the drug to 1/4 liter of water and then boiling for 3 minutes.

For a bath additive, 500 gm of the drug is boiled in a few

liters of water, strained and added to the bath. A liquid

extract 1:1 is also used.

Daily Dosage: The average daily dose of the decoction is 3

cups daily between meals; the dose for the liquid extract is 1

to 2 teaspoonfuIs daily.

Externally, the drug is added to full baths.

Storage: Heather should be stored in well-dried, sealed

containers.

LITERATURE

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.

Jalal MAF, Read DJ, Haslam E, Phenolic composition and its

seasonal variation in Calluna vulgaris. In: PH 21(6): 1397. 1982.

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

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Mantilla JLG, Vieitez E, An Edafol Agrobiol 34:765-774. 1975.

Simon A et al., Further flavonoid glycosides from Calluna

vulgaris. In: PH 32:1045. 1993.

Simon A et al., Two flavonol 3-[triacetylarabinosyl(l-6)

glucosides] from Calluna vulgaris. In: PH 33:1237. 1993.

Hedera helix

See English Ivy

Hedge Mustard

Sisymbrium officinale

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the fresh, flowering

herb and the fresh aerial parts of the flowering plant.

Flower and Fruit: The inflorescences at the end of the stems

and branches have no bracts and are initially umbelliferous-

racemous, later stretching into spikes. The pedicles are thin

and approximately 1.5 cm long, bearing the small flowers.

The 4 sepals are 1.5 to 2.5 mm long, erect, pubescent and

narrowly elliptical. The petals are pale yellow and 3 to 4 mm

long. The stamens have 0.5 to 0.5 mm long anthers. The fruit

is a pubescent pod appressed to the axis of the infructes-

cence. The fruits are 1 to 1.5 cm long and 1 to 1.5 mm thick.

The almost-smooth seeds are about 1 mm long, ovate,

compressed and unwinged with reddish, yellow-brown seed-

skins.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is an annual or biennial, 30

to 60 cm high, and has a thin taproot. The stem is branched,

round, leafy and covered in scattered patent hairs. The basal

leaves and lower cauline leaves are petiolate-pinnatifid with

3 to 9 segments. The upper leaves are oblong-lanceolate,

simple or with 2 to 4 lateral segments, and often hastate and

pubescent.

Habitat: The herb is found mainly in temperate Europe, but

it also grows as far as northern Africa and eastern Siberia.

Production: Hedge Mustard is the fresh flowering herb of

Sisymbrium officinale.

Other Names: Singer's Plant, St. Barbara's Hedge Mustard,

English Watercress, Erysimum, Thalictroc

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Cardioactive steroid glycosides (cardenolides, 0.05% in the

tips of the foliage): including among others corchorosid A

and helveticosid

Glucosinolates: chiefly sinigrin (allylglucosinolates) and

glucohapin (3-butenylglucosinolates), releasing through cell

destruction the volatile mustard oil allylisothiocyanate and 3-

butenylisothiocyanate

Vitamins: ascorbic acid (vitamin C, up to 0.2 % in the fresh

foliage)

EFFECTS

Hedge mustard contains cardio-active steroids (cardenolids)

and is said to be spasmolytic and analgesic. Its use for

pharyngitis and laryngitis as well as severe hoarseness may

be due to the mustard oils.