HERBAL MONOGRAPHSelliptically acuminate, 2 to 2.5 mm long with ciliate glands.
The 5 white petals are up to 5 mm long, and yellow at the
base. There are 5 stamens fused at the base and 1 ovary with
5 headed stigma on long thin styles. The fruit is erect,
globular, 2 to 3 cm long and incomplete 10-valved with long,
(P pubescent, dividing membranes. The seeds are elliptical, 1 to
1.5 mm long, flat, smooth and light brown.
Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is an inconspicuous annual
(occasionally perennial) that grows up to 30 cm. It has a long
erect or ascending stem, which is undivided or dividing into
the flowering branches. The leaves are opposite or alternate,
entire-margined, sessile and have a partly ciliate margin.
Habitat: Found in central Europe as far as the British Isles
and southward as far as the Mediterranean countries, the
Caucasus, Iran and northern Africa.
Production: Mountain Flax is the flowering plant (aerial
part) of Linum catharticum, collected in the uncultivated
regions.
Other Names: Purging Flax, Dwarf Flax, Fairy Flax, Mill
Mountain
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
& Lignans: achromatin (bitter), presumably present in the fresh
plant as a glycoside
Tannins
Volatile oil
The constituents of the drug have not been extensively
investigated.
EFFECTS
MountakFFlax has a laxative effect in therapeutic doses of
up to 0.5 gm.* Higfi'ddSes cause vomiting-and gastroenteritis.
Although the amaroid linin is not laxative, it is probably
present in the form of a glycoside, which has a stronger
laxative effect.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Its use as a laxative is obsolete. In folk
medicine Mountain Flax is used for constipation, oliguria,
edema, worm infestation, catarrhal and rheumatic conditions.~ Homeopathic Uses: Used homeopathically for coughs,
hemorrhoids, diarrhea, catarrh and rheumatic disorders,
dropsy and worm infestation. Also used as a purgative and
emetic.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction
with the proper administration of designated therapeutic
dosages. The drug can lead to vomiting, inflammations of the
gastrointestinal tract and diarrhea. The emetic and laxative
effects are used therapeutically.
MOUNTAIN GRAPE/527DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Ground and as an extract.
Preparation: To prepare an infusion, add 2.5 gm to 1 cup of
hot water.
Dosage: 2.0 gm powder as a single dose.
LITERATURE
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.
Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.Mountain Grape
Mahonia aquifolium
TRADE NAMES
Oregon Grape (Berberis aquifolium variety available from
numerous manufacturers) Oregon Grape Root
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried rhizome
and the roots, the dried branch and twig bark, as well as the
root bark.
Flower and Fruit: The heavily scented flowers are either in
dense 5 to 10 cm panicles or in groups of 3 to 6 in erect 5 to
8 cm racemes in the leaf axils. The flowers are yellow and
have 9 sepals, 6 petals and 6 stamens, which are about 8 cm
long. The pedicles are 5 to 10 mm long. The fruit is a
globose, purple-black, frosted berry with red juice. The 2 to
5 seeds are glossy brown.
Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a fast-growing,
evergreen, stoloniferous shrub about 50 to 150 cm high with
stout stems, sparingly branched. The leaves are odd-pinnate,
10 to 20 cm long with 3 to 6 pairs of leaflets. The leaflets are
4 to 8 cm by 2 to 4 cm, ovate, distally spinose dentate,
coriaceous, dark and shining green.
Habitat: Indigenous to the Pacific U.S.; ornamental or
cultivated in Europe.
Production: Mountain Grape bark consists of the branch and
twig bark as well as the twig tips of Mahonia aquifolium.
Other Names: Holly-Leaved Berberis, Oregon Grape
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Isoquinoline alkaloids (in the root bark, 7 to 16%, in the
stem bark, 2.4-4.5%):benzyl isoquinoline type: including among others berberine