PDR for Herbal Medicines

388/HEMLOCK

Further information in:

Frohne D, Pfander HJ, Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fur

Apotheker, Toxikologen und Biologen, 4. Aufl, Wiss.

Verlagsges. mbH Stuttgart 1997.

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.

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.

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.
   Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
   mbH Stuttgart 1997.

Hemp Agrimony

Eupatorium cannabinum

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the flowering herb.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are in compact, terminal,

umbrella-like umbels. They are small dull pink tubular

androgynous flowers whose corolla tube has a 5-tipped edge.

The epicalyx is cylindrical and consists of a few bracts. The

edge of the calyx consists of yellowish hairs. The style is

divided in two parts and shows above the flower. The corolla

is covered in resinous spots. The angular fruit bears a crown

of hair and is dirty white.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a small perennial herb

75 to 150 cm high. The rhizome is woody and has stems

growing from it, which have short axillary branches. The

stems are erect, reddish, pubescent and resinous below. The

root leaves are long-petioled. The opposite cauline leaves are

short-petioled, trifoliate and serrate and covered in resinous

spots.

Habitat: Hemp Agrimony grows in damp regions of Europe.

Production: Hemp Agrimony is the flowering herb of

Eupatorium cannabium.

Other Names: Holy Rope, St. John's Herb, Sweet-Smelling

Trefoil, Water Maudlin

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Caffeic acid ester: chlorogenic acid

PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Immunostimulating polysaccharides (heteroxylans)

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids: including echinatine, supinine, euca-

necine, amabiline, lycopsamin, intermedin

Sesquiterpene lactones: including eupatoriopicrin, eupatolid

EFFECTS

Eupatorin is said to be cytotoxic and has an immune-

stimulating effect. It is also a bitter tonic.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The herb is used for disorders of the liver

and gallbladder and for fevers.

Homeopathic Uses: Eupatorium cannabinum is used to treat

illnesses of the respiratory organs.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

Because of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid content with 1,2-

unsaturated necic parent substances, hepatotoxicity and

carcinogenicity are likely consequences of internal use.

Therefore the drug should not be taken internally. Sensitiza-

tion after skin contact with the plant has been reported.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: The herb is used topically as an

alcoholic extract, as a tea, and as an inhalation for the

treatment of colds.

LITERATURE

Anonym, Positive Auswirkungen von Olivenol auf den

Blutdruck. In: ZPT 12(1):13. 1991.

Antibiotika und Immunabwehr. In: Symbiose 4(2):20. 1992.

Elsasser-Beile U, Willenbacher W, Bartsch HH, Gallati H,

Schulte Monting J, Kleist von S et al.. Cytokine production in

leukocyte cultures during therapy with echinacea extract. In: J

Clin Lab Analysis 10(6):441-445. 1996.

Hendriks H et al., (1983) Pharm Weekblad 5:281.

Pederson E (1975) Phytochemistry 14:2086.

Roder E, Pyrrolizidinhaltige Arzneipflanzen. In: DAZ

132(45):2427-2435. 1992.

Vollmar A et al., (1986) Phytochemistry 25(2):377.

Winterhoff H, Gumbinger HG, Pharmakologische

Untersuchungen mit Pflanzenextrakten. Probleme und

Losungsmoglichkeit. In: DAZ 130(49):2668. 1990.

Woerdenbag HJ et al., (1987) Phytother Res 2(2):76.

Further information in:

Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der

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

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

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

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

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

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.