PDR for Herbal Medicines

386 /HEDGE-HYSSOP PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

irritating to mucous membranes due to the cucurbitacin and

cucurbitacin glycosides content, out of which cucurbitacins

are released in watery environments.

OVERDOSAGE

The intake of toxic dosages leads to vomiting, bloody

diarrhea, colic, kidney irritation and initially to elevated

diuresis, then to anuria. Very high dosages lead to spasm,

paralysis and circulatory collapse. Fatalities are seen only

rarely. Following gastric lavage, the treatment for poisonings

should proceed symptomatically.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Hedge-Hyssop is most effective in

alcoholic extracts, but it.also is used in infusions and in

homeopathic dilutions. Today, it is rarely used in folk

medicine.

Daily Dosage: A single dose of tea is noted as containing

0.3 g drug.

Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet or 10 globules every

30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic);

parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc acute, 3 times daily; chronic: once

a day (HAB1).

LITERATURE

Bohinc P, Korbar-Smid J, Cicerov-Cergol M, Uber die

kardiotonischen Substanzen des Gnadenkrautes - Gratiola

officinalis. In: Sci Pharm 47:108-113. 1979.

Kern W, List PH, Horhammer 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.

Muller A, Wichtl M, Herzwirsamkeit des Gnadenkrautes

(Gratiola officinalis). In: Pharm Ztg 124(37): 1761-1766. 1979.

Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,

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

Helianthemum canadense

See Frostwort

Helianthus annuus

See Sunflower

Helichrysum arenarium

See Immortelle

Helleborus niger

See Black Hellebore

Helleborus viridis

See Green Hellebore

Hemlock

Conium maculatum

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts of the plant are the

fresh flowering foliage, the branches and the dried leaves.

Flower and Fruit: The plant has white flowers in 10 to 20

rayed umbels. The 3 to 5 triangular to lanceolate bracts are

acuminate; 3 to 6 small bracts only on the outside of the

small umbels. The blossoms have 1.5 mm white petals. The

fruit is ovate with undulating veins. Deep indentations on the

mericarp on the seam side—with no oil marks in the

indentations—are a unique feature.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant can be annual or perennial;

it grows up to 2 m high. The stem is erect, tubular, hollow,

round and finely grooved. It is branched above, glabrous

with brownish-red marks below. The leaves are a glossy dark

green, 3-pinnate. The root is whitish and fusiform or

branched.

Characteristics: When wilting, the highly poisonous herb

smells of mice. It tastes disgustingly salty and pungent. The

stem has distinctive red marks.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to Europe and the temperate

zones of Asia, North Africa, and North and South America.

Production: Hemlock is the fresh or dried leaves and the

flowering branch tips of Conium maculatum. They are

gathered from June to September in the second year of

grown and air-dried in a shaded, open location.

Not to be Confused With: Hemlock may be confused with

water hemlock, canine parsley, wild chervil and with

tuberous chervil.

Other Names: Cicuta, Poison Parsley, Poison Root, Poison

I Snakeweed, Spotted Crowbane, Spotted Hemlock, Spotted