416/ICELAND MOSS PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINESHomeopathic Uses: Cetraria islandica is used to treat
bronchitis.PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction
with the proper administration of designated therapeutic
dosages. In rare cases, external administration of the drug led
to sensitization.DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Comminuted thallus for infusions
and other galenic formulations for internal use; comminuted
thallus preferably for cold maceration and other bitter-tasting
preparations for internal use.Preparation: To prepare an infusion, pour boiling water over
1.5 to 2.5 gm of comminuted drug and strain after 10
minutes (I teaspoonful = 1.3 gm of drug); infusion may be
sweetened.Daily Dosage: The average daily dose is 4 to 6 gm. Single
dose: 1.5 g drug in a teacup.Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, l tablet, 10 globules every 30
to 60 minutes (acute) or l to 3 times daily (chronic);
parenterally: l to 2 ml sc acute: 3 times daily; chronic: once
daily (HABl).Storage: Store in the dark and well-sealed containers.LITERATURE
Anonym, Niedere Pflanzen ganz gro{3 - 39. Jahrestagung der
Gesellschaft fur Arzneipflanzenforschung in Saarbriicken. In:
DAZ 131(37): 1899.
Pengsuparp Th, et aL Mechanistic evaluation of new plant-
derived compounds that inhibit HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. In:
JNP 58(7): 1024-1031. 1995.
Wunderer H, Zentral und peripher wirksame Antitussiva: eine
kritische Ubersicht. In: PZ 142(11):847-852. 1997.
Further information in:
Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Vol. 1. 2nd Ed.
Pub. CRC Press Boca Raton 1975.
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 (unter Cetraria).
Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
Verlag Heidelberg 1992.Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
Stuttgart 1997.
Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
Stuttgart 1997. |
Ignatius Beans
Strychnos ignatii
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the ripe seeds and
the dried root bark.Flower and Fruit: The flowers are in dense, axillary thyrses.
Their parts are arranged in fives. They are greenish-white,
pubescent and have a 2-valved superior ovary. The fruit is a
golden-yellow berry. The berry is up to 13 cm wide and has
a hard exocarp. The fruit pulp is yellow and contains up to
40 seeds. The seeds are 2 to 3 cm long by 2 cm wide, oval or
rounded-angular, obtuse and very hard.Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a climbing shrub with
hooked stems that are up to 20 m long. The truck is up to 10
cm thick. It is occasionally a small tree. It bears leaves that
are up to 25 cm long, broad-ovate, opposite and short-
petioled.Habitat: The plant is common all over southeastern Asia and
is cultivated there; especially in Vietnam and the Philippines.Production: Ignatius beans are the seeds of Strychnos ignatii.Not to be Confused With: The seeds of S. lanata and S.
multiflora were once treated in the same manner as Ignatii
seeds.ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Indole alkaloids (2.5-5.6%): chief alkaloid strychnine (share
45-60%), in addition, above all, brucine, further including,
among others, 12-hydroxystrychnine, alpha-colubrine, ica-
jine, vomicine, novacine. There are also chemical strains for
which brucine predominates, and others in which strychnine
occurs only in traces.Fatty oilEFFECTS
The drug, which contains strychnine and brucine, is psy-
choanaleptic (see Nux Vomica).INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Preparations made of the Ignatius Bean are
used to treat faintness. Therapeutic use as a bitter or tonic is
not recommended.Homeopathic Uses: The drug is used for nervous disorders,
cramps in hollow organs and muscles, and depressive states.PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
The drug is severely toxic due to the strychnine content and
should not be administered in allopathic medicine.