PDR for Herbal Medicines

412 /HOUSELEEK PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Leaves, Stem and Root: The green succulent leaves grow.

directly from the perennial fibrous root and form a dense,

obovate, basal rosette 5 to 10 cm in diameter. They are

fleshy and juicy, flat, 2.5 to 5 cm long. The purple leaves are

sessile-oblong with a ciliate margin and are often in carpets

of tufts.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to central and southern

Europe and now grows wild in northern Europe, northern

Africa, and western Asia.

Other Names: Jupiter's Eye. Jupiter's Beard, Thor's Beard,

Bullock's Eye, Sengreen, Ayron, Ayegreen, Aaron's Rod,

Hens and Chickens, Liveforever, Thunder Plant

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Fruit acids: L(-)-malic acid, isocitric acid, succinic acid

Tannins

Mucilage

EFFECTS

The active agents are the leaves containing tannin, bitter

substances, sugar, and mucous. Results of research carried

out to date point to a possible liver-protective and anti-

oxidative effect. There are no studies available for the

astringent, diuretic and antiseptic effects attributed to the

drug.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Houseleek is used internally to relieve

severe diarrhea. Folk medicine uses include dysentery,

dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea, impairment of hearing and

fever, worm infestation, uterine neuralgia, tonsillitis, head-

ache and toothache. Externally, the drug is used for bums,

wounds, ulcers and swelling caused by insect bites, open

wounds, sore nipples, corns, inflammation of the throat,

hemorrhoids, eczema, stomatitis, oral fungal infections and

inflammation of mucous membranes and for the treatment of

itchy and burning skin parts. A gargle of diluted juice made

from the leaves is used for stomatitis.

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: Houseleek is used internally as a
decoction. Freshly pressed leaves and their juice is used
externally.

Preparation: To prepare an infusion, allow 15 g of the drug
to steep in 1000 ml water for 10 minutes. Poultices are
prepared using crushed fresh leaves. A compress is made by
soaking a cloth in plant juice that has been diluted with

water. Gargles are prepared using plant juice diluted with

water and sweetened with honey. The pure plant juice is used

for ear drops.

Daily Dosage: Infusion dosage is 1 cup every 3 hours.

LITERATURE

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.

Humulus lupulus

See Hops

Hwema Bark

Corynanthe pachyceras

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part of the plant is the bark.

Flower and Fruit: The inflorescence is an apical, up to 10-

cm long panicle. The calyx has 4 short tips. The corolla tube

is white and urn-shaped with 4 narrow, approximately 2-mm

long lobes. The lobes have globular appendages, with 4

stamens and a 2-chambered ovary. The fruit is a 7 to 10 mm

long and 2 to 4 mm wide, loculicidal capsule, which is black

when ripe, with numerous double slit winged seeds.

Leaves and Trunk: Corynanthe pachyceras is a tree that

grows up to 20 m high. The leaves are opposite, with simple

lamina that are paper-like. The lamina grow from 15 to 25

cm long and 5 to 7 cm wide. They are elongate-ovate with

approximately 12 mm long stipules. The branches are

glabrous and the trunk bark is dark green to reddish brown.

Habitat: Tropical Africa

Production: Hwema bark is the dried bark of Corynanthe

pachyceras. It is dried in the sun or drying cupboard with

circulating air at temperatures less than 70° C after

harvesting.

Not to be Confused With: Incorrect identification can occur

with Cinchonae cortex and sometimes with Yohimbe Cortex.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Indole alkaloids of the beta-carboline and oxindole type:

chief alkaloids corynanthine (1.2%) and corynantheidine,

including as well, corynanthidine (alpha-yohimbine), beta-