HERBAL MONOGRAPHS ONION/ 557
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction
with the proper administration of designated therapeutic
dosages.
DOSAGE
OLIVE LEAVES
Mode of Administration: The drug is available for oral use in
mono and combination tea mixture preparations.
How Supplied:
Capsules — 580 mg
Drops
Preparation: An infusion is prepared by pouring 150 ml of
hot water over 7 to 8 g of the dried leaves. Prepare a tea by
pouring hot water over 2 teaspoonfuls of the drug and
allowing it to steep for 30 minutes.
Daily Dosage: Tea: 3 to 4 cups throughout the day.
OLIVE OIL
Daily Dosage:
Constipation — 100 to 500 ml Olive oil at body temperature
applied rectally.
Gastrointestinal ulcers — 15 to 30 ml 3 taken times daily at
mealtimes.
LITERATURE
OLIVE LEAVES
Bianchi G, Pozzi N, 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylglycol, a major C6-C2
phenolic in Olea europaea. In: PH 35(5): 1335. 1994.
Bianco A et al., Partial synthesis of oleuropein. In: JNP
55(6):760-766. 1992.
Duarte J et, al., Effects of oleuropeosid in isolated guinea-pig
atria. In: PM 59(4):318. 1993.
Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers
Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6
CDrogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-
1994.
Kuwajima H et al., A secoiridoid glucoside from Olea
europaea. In: PH 27(6): 1757. 1988.
Lasser B et al., (1983) Naturwissenschaften 70:95.
OLIVE OIL
Anonym, Positive Auswirkungen von Olivenol auf den
Blutdruck. In: ZPT 12(1):13. 1991.
Hemming S, 1st Olivenol erlaubt? In: DAZ 131(29):1525. 1991.
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.
Lasser B et al., (1983) Naturwissensch. 70:95.
Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
Stuttgart 1997.
Onion
Allium cepa
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the bulb.
Flower and Fruit: The peduncles are up to 3 cm long. Trie
flowers.are greenish-white, in orbicular umbels, with 6 free
flower bracts that are shorter than the 6 stamens. The
pedicles are eight times as long as the flowers. The fruit is a
thin-skinned capsule. The seeds are black and angular. The
flowers are in globular umbels, before blooming in membra-
nous sheaths.
Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is perennial or biennial.
There are many varieties and can be compressed-globose.
ovate or oblong. Most varieties have secondary bulbs.
Leaves are shorter than the peduncle, tubular or swollen, and
blue-green. There is a hollow scape, which is gray-blue.
expanded and bloated below the middle.
Habitat: Central Asia is considered to be the region oi
origin. Onion was introduced to the Mediterranean and is
cultivated worldwide.
Production: Onion consists of the fresh or dried, thick and
fleshy leaf sheaths and stipules of Allium cepa.
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY 'r~
COMPOUNDS
Alliins (alkylcysteine sulphoxides): in particular allylalliin
(allyl-L (+)-cysteine sulphoxide) and its gamma-glutamyl
conjugates, that in the course of cutting up either the freshly
harvested bulbs or those that have been already dried and
then re-moistened, are transformed into the so-called allia-
ceous oils.
Fructosans (polysaccharides, 10-40%)
Saccharose and other sugars
Flavonoids: including quercetin-4'-O-beta-D-glucoside
(spiraeoside)
Steroid Saponins
EFFECTS
The thiosulphinate exhibits an antimicrobial effect, and is
effective against Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi. Pseu-
domonas aeroginosa and Escherichia coli.