PDR for Herbal Medicines

484/LUFFA PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS: LUFFA FRESH FRUIT

Triterpene saponins: including among others lucyoside A-M

(aglycones including oleanolic acid, hederagenin 21-hy-

droxy-hederagenin, gypsogenin, arjunolic acid)

CucurBitacins (the young fruits are eaten as salad)

Sterols: including delta5-sterols, delta7-sterols

Triterpenes (triterpene acids): including bryonolic acid (3%)

The luffa fungus (Luffa, Luffa aegyptica) is likely to be

mostly free of soluble constituents and to consist chiefly of

cellulose, hemicelluiose and pectins.

EFFECTS

No information is available.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Preparations of Luffa sponge are used as a

preventive for infections or colds, as a remedy for colds and

nasal catarrhs, and for sinusitis and suppuration of the sinus.

Chinese Medicine: Luffa is used for coughs, chronic

bronchitis, diseases of the spleen and paralyzing diseases.

Indian Medicine: Luffa is used for splenopathy, leprosy,

syphilis, bronchitis, fever and hematuria.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages.

DOSAGE

No information is available.

LITERATURE

HanseLJ^Kellex K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers

Handbuch der .jgha^snazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., f|de 4-6

(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-

1994.

Luffa aegyptica

See Luffa

Lungmoss
Lobaria pulmonaria
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the lichen.

Flower and Fruit: Lobaria pulmonaria is a lichen, with
deeply pinnatisect lobes with indented tips, measuring from

1.5 cm up to hand size. It is found on the trunks of old

woodland trees and is browinsh-green or red-brown with a

reticulate, punctate structure. It is tomentose and whitish-

brown beneath and is covered with glabrous white spots on

the margin and on the reticulate ridges.

Habitat: Lungmoss is found throughout Europe.

Production: Lungmoss is the whole lichen tissue of Lobaria

pulmonaria. The lichen is gathered throughout the entire

year. The minute roots in the subterranean part, along with

any possible earth, are cleaned off (do not gather dry lichen,

as they are mostly found on dead plants, and therefore are no

longer effective).

Not to be Confused With: Common Lungwort, which is a

plant.

Other Names: Oak Lungs, Lungwort

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Lichen acids: including among others stictictic, norstictic,

thelophoric acid, gyrophoric acid

Mucilages

EFFECTS "~"

The drug has diaphoretic, expectorant, anti-inflammatory,

and antimicrobial effects. The active agents exhibiting the

antimicrobial effects are unknown.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: As a result of the relaxing effect of

Lungmoss on the respiratory tract, the drug is used for all

chronic respiratory tract illnesses: bronchitis, coughs and

asthma, as well as for irritable coughs and smoker's cough.

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: Lungmoss is available as dried

lichen as a liquid extract for internal use. Lichen preparations

can be bought as sweets, syrups or pastilles.

Storage: The drug should be stored in glass or porcelain

containers, protected from light.

LITERATURE

Catalano S et al., (1976) Phytochemistry 15:22.

Kem 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.