PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Only the tubocurarine extracted from the

bark and twigs is in use. It is a peripheral muscle relaxant,

which inhibits the stimulation of transference in the neuro-

*L muscular, hence causing a paralysis of the skeletal muscles.

Tubocurare is used in modern anesthetics as tubocurarine. In

Brazil, an infusion of the root is taken internally and the

crushed leaves applied externally as treatments for poisonous

snake bites.

Homeopathic Uses: Uses in homeopathy include inflamma-

tions of the urinary tract and enlarged prostate.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the oral administration of designated therapeutic

dosages of the drug. The alkaloids with curare-like effect,

such as tubocurarine, are not resorbed with oral administra-

tion of the drug.

OVERDOSAGE

Nausea and heavy urine flow have been observed in

individuals poisoned with tubocurare.

4jt DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Use of drug is no longer common.

Storage: The plant is considered poisonous and should be

stored in clearly marked containers mat are impervious to

insects.

LITERATURE

Guha et al., (1979) J Nat Prod 42:1.

Further information in:

Hansel R, KellerK**Rimpler H, Schneider G (HrsgO, 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.

Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,

Pharmakologie, 2. AufL, Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.

Parietaria officinalis

See Pellitory-of-the-Wall

Paris quadrifolia

See Herb Paris

PARSLEY/567

Parsley

Petroselinum crispum

TRADE NAME

Parsley Leaf, Parsley Herb (available from numerous

manufacturers)

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the oil extracted

from the parsley fruit, the dried, separated schizocarp. the

fresh or dried aerial parts, the dried underground pans and

the whole fresh plant at the beginning of the flowering

season.

Flower and Fruit: The inflorescences are long pedicled.

terminal, occasionally apical, 10 to 20 rayed yellowish

umbels. The involucre has 1 to 2 bracts, and the epicalyx has

6 to*8 leaves. The petals are splayed with a curved tip. The

style thickening is very developed. The fruit is orbicular-

ovate, 2.5 mm long and greenish-gray.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a biennial. It is glabrous.

has a characteristic odor and grows from 60 to 100 cm high.

The usually numerous stems grow from 1 root and are erecu

round, finely grooved, glabrous and branched. The root is

thin or thick fusiform to tuberous, vertical and almost

fiberless. The leaves are ovate and tripinnate. The upper ones

are shorter stemmed and less compound. The leaflets are

tripinnate.

Characteristics: Parsley has a spicy smell.

Habitat: The plant originated in the Mediterranean region

and is cultivated worldwide today. -*--

Production: Parsley consists of the fresh or dried plant

section of Petroselinum. Parsley root is the dried root of

Petroselinum crispum. The fresh herb is harvested from

cultivations. Parsley seed consists of the dried ripe fruits of

Petroselinum crispum.

Not to be Confused With: The leaves of Aethusa cynapium.

Other Names: Hamburg Parsley, Persely, Petersylinge. Rock

Parsley

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS: PARSLEY HERB

Volatile oil (0.02-0.3%): chief components, according to

breed, up to 90%

Apiole

Myristicin

l-allyl-2,3,4,5-tetramethoxybenzole: additionally including

among others mentha-l,3,8-triene (up to 50%, aroma-bear-