PDR for Herbal Medicines

584/PERILLA PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Praxis. Folgebande 1 und 2. Drogen A-Z. Springer. Berlin,

Heidelberg 1998.

Kanzaki T, Kimura S, Occupational allergic contact dermatitis

from Perilla frutescens (shiso). Contact Dermatitis (1992 Jan)

26(l):55-6.

Sakono M, Yoshida K, Yahiro M, Combined effects of dietary

protein and fat on lipid metabolism in rats. J Nutr Sci

Vitaminol (Tokyo) (1993 Aug) 39(4):335-43.

Perilla fructescens

See Perilla

Periwinkle

Vine a minor

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried leaves,

the fresh aerial parts of the flowering plant and the whole

fresh flowering plant.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are solitary, long-pedicled, 40

to 50 mm in diameter and grow in the axils of the upper

leaves. The calyx is funnel-shaped with long, narrow-linear,

pointed-ciliated tips. The corolla is light blue or violet widi a

funnei-shaped tube and 5 irregularly terminated tips. The

fruit is a follicle. It is oblong, acuminate, 15 to 2 mm long

and has 2 to 3 seeds.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a perennial subshrub, 10

to 60 cm high. The non-flowering shoots are prostrate root at

the nodes. The flowering shoots are ascending, up to 20 cm

high and woody at?the*base. The leaves are evergreen, ovate,

tapering at the front and distinctly pinnate-ribbed. They are 5

cm by 2 cm, petiolate with finely ciliated margins, which

become glabrous later.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to northern Spain, through

western France, eastward via central and southern Europe as

far as the Caucasus; it has been naturalized in many regions.

Production: Periwinkle herb consists of the above-ground
parts of Vinca minor.
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Indole alkaloids (0.15-1.4%): chief alkaloid vincamine
(ebumamine-type, 25-65%), including as well vincine,
apovincamine, vincadifformin

Flavonoids: including kempferol-3-0-rhamnoside-7-0-glu-
coside, kempferol-3-0-rhamnoglucoside-3-0-galactoside,

kempferol-3-0-rhamnoglucoside-3-0-glucoside, quercetin-

3-0-rhamnoglucoside-7-0-glucoside

EFFECTS

The alkaloid vincamine is hypotensive, negatively chrono-

tropic, spasmolytic, hypoglycemic and sympatholytic. Scien-

tifically validated studies on the hypotensive effect on

humans have not yet been carried out. Its use as an amaroid

seems plausible.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Periwinkle is used internally for circulatory

disorders, cerebral circulatory impairment and support for

the metabolism of the brain. It is also used internally for loss

of memory, hypertension, cystitis, gastritis and enteritis,

diarrhea, raised blood sugar levels and to help weaning.

Periwinkle is used externally for sore throats, nose bleeds,

bruising, abscesses, eczema and to stop bleeding.

Homeopathic Uses: Periwinkle is used for weeping eczema

and bleeding mucous membranes.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper

administration of designated therapeutic dosages. Gastroin-

testinal complaints and skin flushing have been observed as

side effects.

OVERDOSAGE

Overdosage will bring about a severe drop in blood pressure.

Cases of poisonings have not yet been recorded.

Treatment includes gastrointestinal emptying (inducement of

vomiting, gastric lavage with burgundy-coloured potassium

permanganate solution, sodium sulphate), instillation of

activated charcoal and shock prophylaxis (appropriate body

position, quiet, warmth). The therapy for poisonings consists

of treating bradycardia with atropine or Alupent, cardiac

arrhythmias with lidocaine or phenytoin and treating possible

cases of acidosis with sodium bicarbonate infusions. In case

of shock, plasma volume expanders should be infused.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Whole, cut and powdered drug is

available in the form of capsules, ampules, coated and filmed

tablets, and compound preparations.

Preparation: To make a tea, pour 200 ml boiling water over

1 teaspoonful of drug, steep for 10 minutes, then strain. To

make a decoction, boil 60 gm of drug in 1 liter of water for 2

minutes, steep for 10 minutes, then strain.

To make an infusion, boil 15 gm of drug in 1/4 liter of water.

To make wine, macerate 100 gm of drug in 1 liter of wine

for 10 days, decant, then press. To make a liquid for

gargling, boil 2 dessertspoonfuls of drug for a few minutes in

1/2 liter water.