PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS MOUSE EAR/529

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Diterpenes (andromedan- derivatives): including among

others grayanotoxin I (andromedotoxin, asebotoxin, acety-

landromedol, rhodotoxin), grayanotoxin II, HI, XVIII, lyonol

Ht A, leucothol A, kalmiatoxine

Acylphloroglucinols: including among others 2\6'-dihy-

droxy-4' -methoxy-acetophenone, phloretin

Flavonoids: including among others asebotin, hyperoside

EFFECTS

Use of Mountain Laurel is no longer recommended because

of the formation of grayanotoxins, which are highly toxic.

Efficacy for the recorded indications has not been proven.

According to earlier sources (which are questionable), the

drug is antiphlogistic and mildly diuretic.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Today, the drug is only used in homeopath-

ic dilutions. In the past it was used as a decoction in the

treatment of tinea capitis and to treat psoriasis, herpes and

secondary syphilis.

m Homeopathic Uses: Uses include rheumatism, shingles,
nerve pain, rheumatic and cardiac pain.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
The andromedan derivatives of the drug prevent the closure
of the excitable cells of the sodium channels and thereby
prevent conduction. Painful mucous membranes in the
mouth and in the stomach, increased salivation, cold sweat,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and paresthesias are experienced
following intake of the drug. Dizziness, headache, fever
attacks»j&^well as intoxicated states with temporary loss of
vision, follow.lateR Muscle weakness, coordination disorders
and spasms can also occur. Bradycardia, cardiac arrhyth-
mias, drops in blood pressure, eventual cardiac arrest and
respiratory failure can lead to death.
OVERDOSAGE
Following gastrointestinal emptying, (inducement of vomit-
ing, gastric lavage with burgundy-colored potassium per-
manganate solution, sodium sulfate) and instillation of
activated charcoal, the treatment of poisoning consists of

• electrolyte replacement, countering of acidosis with sodium
  bicarbonate, plasma volume expanders if required, diazepam
  (I.V.) in case of spasms and oxygen in case of respiratory
  failure.
  DOSAGE
  Mode of Administration: Available in homeopathic
  preparations.
  Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet or 10 globules every
  30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic);

parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc acute, 3 times daily; chronic: once

a day (HAB1).

LITERATURE

Frohne D, Pfander HJ, Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fur

Apotheker, Toxikologen und Biologen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlags-

Ges Stuttgart 1997.

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.

Lewin L, Gifte und Vergiftungen, 6. Aufl., Nachdruck, Haug

Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.

Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
   Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
   Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
   Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und
   pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New
   York 1995.
   Wolters B, Zierpflanzen aus Nordamerika. In: DAZ
   137(26):2253-2261. 19977"

Mouse Ear

Pilosella qfficinarum

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the flowering aerial

parts.

Flower and Fruit: The yellow, composite flowers are

solitary at the end of long pedicles. There are bright yellow,

lingual florets. The lateral ones are usually striped reddish

underneath. The bracts are linear and acute, have a membra-

nous margin and are covered in star-hairs. They have black

glandular hairs at the base. The fruit is cylindrical and has a

simple, brittle tuft of hair.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a perennial herb, which

grows up to 30 cm. Erect, leafless stems grow from the

rosette of basal leaves. The plant produces long, leafy

runners. The leaves are oblong or obovate to lanceolate.

iThey bear long bristles, which are thickened at the base and

are star-haired to tomentose beneath.

Habitat: Trie plant grows in large areas of Europe and

temperate Asia. It is also found in North America.

Production: Mouse Ear is the aerial part of Pilosella

officinarum.