PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS HEDGE-HYSSOP / 385

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: In folk medicine, the drug is used for

laryngitis and pharyngitis, severe hoarseness including loss

of voice, chronic bronchitis and inflammation of the

gallbladder.

' PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction
with the proper administration of designated therapeutic
dosages.
OVERDOSAGE
It is conceivable that overdosage would have digitalis-like
effects. These include queasiness. vomiting, diarrhea, head-
ache and cardiac rhythm disorders. Cases of poisonings have
not, however, been recorded.
DOSAGE
Daily Dosage: The average daily internal dose of the drug is
0.5 to 1.0 gm, which would be equal to 3 to 4 cups daily of
an infusion. It takes between 6 and 8 g of drug to make 1 g
extract.

Externally, the infusion is used as a gargle or mouthwash,

several times daily.

I LITERATURE
Bachelard HS, Trikojus VM. (1963) Austral. J Biol Sci 16:
147.
Ockendon JG, Buczki ST. (1979) Trans Brit Mycol Soc 72:156.
Schultz OE, Gmelin R. Naturforsch Z. 7b:500-506. 1952.
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.
Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K. Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
   Teuscher E. Lindequist U. Biogene Gifte - Biologic Chemie,
   Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl.. Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.

Hedge-Hyssop
Gratiola officinalis
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the herb and roots.
(In contrast to what its name suggests, Hedge-Hyssop is not
a member of the Hyssop family, even though it has a
similarly bitter taste.)

Flower and Fruit: The pedicled flowers are arranged singly
in the axils of the upper leaf pairs and are a pale red or
yellowish-white. The calyx is only fused at the base and has

5 tips. The corolla has a distinct tube and a bilabiate border.

The upper lip is margined, and the lower lip is divided into 3.

There are 4 stamens, 2 sterile and 2 fertile, and 1 superior

ovary. The fruit has 4 lids, which burst open.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a perennial mat grows

15 to 30 cm high. The stem grows from a creeping scaly

rhizome. It is erect and becomes glabrous and quadrangular

higher up. The leaves are opposite, lanceolate, weakly

serrate, smooth and pale green.

Characteristics: The plant is poisonous and has a bitter taste.

Habitat: The herb is indigenous to western and central Asia,

as well as southern Europe.

Production: Hedge-Hyssop is the herb of Gratiola officina-

lis, which is harvested shortly before flowering. The upper

portion of the stem is cut down, then dried in thin layers in

the shade at temperatures not exceeding 45° C.

Other Names: Gratiola

6 ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Cucurhitacins: gratiogenin, 16-hydroxygratiogenin, cucurbi-

tacins E, I, the glycosides gratiogenin-3beta-D-glucoside,

gratioside (gratiolin, gratiogenindiglucoside), elaterinide,

desacetylelaterinide

Saponins

Lignans

Flavonoids

EFFECTS

The glycosides are said to be cardiotonic. The cucurbaticins,

especially elaterinide, cause a reduction of the contraction

power of cardiac muscle, a lowering of cardiac frequency

and a distinct increase in coronary flow. Elaterinide has a

laxative effect. The drug is a strong purgative; it eliminates

intestinal parasites and increases micturation.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The herb was formerly used as a purgative

and for treating the liver. In folk medicine, it is used as

purgative and emetic for gout, liver complaints and constipa-

tion, as well as for chronic skin conditions. The drug is only

to be taken under medical supervision of a doctor because of

its toxicity.

Homeopathic Uses: Uses in homeopathy include stomach

colic and bladder and kidney conditions.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-

tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded.

Nonetheless, the drug is extremely poisonous. It is severely