PDR for Herbal Medicines

544/NIGHT-BLOOMING CEREUS

Amines: (found only in the shoots) chief components are

hordenine (cactine), tyramine, N-methyltyramine, N,N-di-

methyl tyramine

Betacyans: (in the blossoms, yellow pigments)

EFFECTS

The drug has an effect similar to digitalis, which includes

cardiac stimulation as well as coronary and peripheral vessel

dilation. The drug is also said to stimulate the motor neurons

of the spinal cord. In addition, the drug may act topically as

an antiphlogistic, but this is Unproven.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Preparations of Selenicereus grandiflorus

are used for nervous cardiac disorders, angina pectoris,

stenocardia, and urinary ailments. In Mexico and Central

America, folk medicine internal uses include hemoptysis,

menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, hemorrhage, cardiac com-

plaints, cystitis, shortness of breath and dropsy. Externally, it

also is used in these countries as a skin stimulant for

rheumatism.

Homeopathic Uses: Night-Blooming Cereus is used to treat

heart disease in homeopathy.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages. Intake of the fresh juice is said to cause itching and

pustules on the skin, burning of the mouth, queasiness,

vomiting and diarrhea.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Fluid extracts and tinctures are used

internally and externally.

•&s** '

Preparations': iHujd extract (Extractum Cerei lkjuidum 1:1);

Tinctura Cerei (1:4) BPC 34; Tincture in sweetened water

(1:10).

Daily Dosage: For the folk medicine dosages, a liquid

extract is used in doses up to 0.6 ml, one to 10 times daily.

The Tincture Cerei dosage is 0.12 to 2 ml taken 2 to 3 times

daily. Dosage for the tincture in sweetened water is 10 drops,

3 to 5 times daily.

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 (unter Cactus

grandiflorus).

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

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.

Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und

pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New

York 1995.

Willaman JJ, Schubert BG (1961) Tech. Bull 1234: USDA

Washington DC.

Noni

Morinda citrifolia

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts of the plant are the

leaf, fruit and root.

Flower and Fruit: The inflorescence is globose. The flowers

are radial, their structures in fives with fused yellowish-white

tepals. The ovary is inferior with 1 stigma. The fruit is a

many-seeded, glassy-white berry the size of a chicken egg.

Leaves, Branches: Morinda citrifolia is a tree that is

occasionally shrub-like. It grows up to 10 m high. The leaves

are opposite, 10 to 30 cm long. The petiole is approximately

12 mm long. The lamina is coriaceous, glossy, elliptical to

elliptical-ovate, acuniinate, somewhat crenate and cuneiform

at the base with stipules. The branches are square, divided

jointed and contain nodes.

Characteristics: The fruit is inedible.

Habitat: Malaysia

Production: Noni fruit and leaves are the fresh ripe fruit and

dried leaves of Morinda citrifolia.

Other Names: Mengkudu

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil

Iridoids: asperulosid, deacetylasperuloside

EFFECTS

No definitive data available.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Noni is used for diabetes, as a blood purifier

(for women), for fever and stomachache (Malaysia).

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper

administration of designated therapeutic dosages.

DOSAGE

Preparation: The dried leaves are used as hot compresses on

the chest and stomach (for fever and stomachache).