PDR for Herbal Medicines

464 /LEMON VERBENA PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

leaves are then stripped off. The harvest consists of

approximately 10,000 kg of the leaf drug per hectare.

Other Names: Herb Louisa, Lemon-Scented Verbena

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COM^ttJ'NDS '

Volatile oil: main constituents are geraniol and neral

Flavonoids: including apigenin-, diosmetin- and luteoIin-7-

O-glucosides. in addition to mono-, di- and trimethoxyfla-

vones, including eupatorin. (See Lippiae triphylla

aetherolum.)

Iridoids: iridoid glycosides including geniposidic acid

EFFECTS

The leaves are considered to be antispasmodic, sedative and

are a febrifuge. There are no up-to-date studies available.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: In France, Lemon Verbena is used in the

symptomatic treatment of digestive disorders, agitation and

insomnia. The drug has also been used in the treatment of

febrile hemorrhoids, varicose veins and impure skin. In

Morocco it is also used for chills and constipation. Efficacy

has not been proven in any of these areas. The plant is used

as an inactive ingredient to improve the flavor in medicinal

teas.

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: In France, the infusion is available

in vat^^rcstaurantsjiinder the name "Vervaine oderante."

Used in various medicinal preparations 'and tea mixtures.

Preparation: To prepare an infusion, use 5 to 29 g of the leaf

per 1 liter of water.

Daily Dosage: Drink 2 to 5 cups of the infusion during the

course of the day. In preparations with a high water content

(such as instant teas), the daily dose equivalent should not

exceed 10 g. The upper limit for daily dosages of powders

and tinctures is 5 g.

Storage: The drug must be stored in sealed containers,

protected from light and dampness.

LITERATURE

Breitweiser K, (1943) Pharmaz Ind 10:76.

Carnat A, Carnat AP, Chavignon O, Heitz A, Wylde R,
Lamaison JL, Luteolin 7-diglucuronide the major flavonoid
compound from Aloysia triphylla and Verbena officinalis. Planta
Med, 61:490, 1995 Oct.

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.

Killacky J et al., (1976) Planta Med 30:310.

Rimpler H, Sauerbier H, Biochem Syst Ecol 14:307-310. 1986.

Skalta H, Shammas G, PM 54:265. 1988.

Tomas-Barberan FA, Harborne JB, Self R, PH 26:2281-2284.

1987.

Torrent Marti MT, Rev R Acad Farm (Barcelona) 14:39-55.

1976.

Lemon-Wood

Schisandra sphenanthera

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: Medicinal properties are attributed to the

fruit and seed of the plant.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are in clusters with a few

blossoms in the axils of the bracts. There are 5 to 8 tepals.

The perigone of the male flowers has 5 to 8 sections and 11

to 19 stamens. The female flowers have a similar perigone

and 30 to 50 ovaries. The fruit is elongate-elliptical, slim and

hangs in aggregate clusters. The individual fruit is round,

fleshy, brown-red to dark brown and berry-like.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The dioecious Schisandra sphe-

nanthera has leaves that are alternate and arranged like

whorls on short shoots. The petiole is J to 3 cm long. The

lamina is dark green to-brown, 5 to 11 cm long and 3 to 7 cm

wide. It is ovate to elliptical, acute at both ends and serrate to

dentate. The young branches are purple.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to China.

Production: Southern schisandra fruit is the dried, ripe fruit

of Schisandra sphenanthera.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)

Lignans (in the seeds 2 to 10%): dibenzo[a,c]cyclooctene

derivatives, including schizandrins A and B, schizandrols A

and B, schizantherins A to E, additional lignans with other

parent substances, including epigalbacin, anwulignan,

ganschisandrin

Fatty oil (in the seeds)