600/P0IS0N IVY PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINESPoison Ivy
Rhus toxicodendron
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the leaves collected
after flowering and dried, the fresh young shoots, the young
flowering branches and the fresh leaves.
Flower and Fruit: The pedicled flowers are in axillary,
pubescent panicles. They are dioecious, sometimes androgy-
nous. The stemmed petals are whitish-green with red hearts.
The fruit is an almost globular, glabrous, yellow or
yellowish-white, 10-grooved drupe. The fruit varies in size
and contains a viscous latex in resin channels, which turns
black in the air.Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a dioecious shrub up to
1 m high with ascending, procumbent or climbing rooting
branches and underground runners. The branches are initially
green and softly pubescent, later brown and glabrous. There
are numerous lenticels on the two-year old shoots. The
leaves are trifoliate with 8 to 14 cm long petioles. The
leaflets are oblong, acute or obtuse, entire-margined or
roughly serrate in the middle. They have a dark-green upper
surface and slightly pubescent lower surface, which is a
lighter green.Habitat: The plant is indigenous to North America; it is also
found in east Asia and is cultivated in Germany in botanical
and apothecary gardens.
Production: Poison Ivy leaves are the leaves of Rhus
toxicodendron. Subsequent to the flowering period, the
leaves of R. toxicodendron are gathered and then well-dried.
Gloves should be worn to protect hands while gathering the
leaves, as they can cause unpleasant inflammation of the
skin.
Not to be Confused With: Although it is sometimes called
"Ampelopsis hoggii," Rhus toxicodendron actually has
nothing in common with the Ampelopsis group of vines.
Other Names: Poison Oak, Poison Vine, Epright Sumach
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Alkyl phenols: urushiol, chiefly cis,cis-3-(n-heptadeca-
8',H'-dienyl)catechol, cis,cis, cis-3-(n-heptadeca-8',ll\14'-
trienyl)catechol, cis-3-(n-heptadec-8'-enyl)catecholTannins
Flavonoids
EFFECTS
"Rhus poison," even in very small amounts, causes severe
irritation to the skin. Following contact it can result in
reddening, swelling and herpes simplex-like blisters. It also
has a strong toxic effect if taken internally. The mother
tincture (main constituents: gallic acid and urushiol) inhibits
in vitro prostaglandin biosynthesis.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Homeopathic uses: The drug is used to treat rheumatism in
the joints and muscles; overexertion (stress and strain);
febrile infections with giddiness; inflammation of the respi-
ratory tract, gastrointestinal tract and the eyes; menstrual
disturbances; anxiety and depressive states; and itching skin
diseases.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
Contact with larger quantities of the allergen can bring about
resorption and generalized erythema; in severe cases also
fever and unconsciousness. Severe conjunctivitis and corneal
inflammations, with possible loss of sight, may result after
contact with the eyes. External application of the drug should
be avoided. Skin affected by accidental contact should be
intensively rinsed with a soapy solution and then cleaned
with ether or ethanol. The points of inflammation should be
covered with bicarbonate of soda paste (mixed with water).
Internal treatment is carried out with systematically effective
corticosteroids. Cooling bandages give relief in mild cases.
OVERDOSAGE
Overdoses of homeopathic preparations lead to severe
mucous membrane irritation, accompanied by queasiness,
vomiting, intestinal colic and diarrhea, as well as signs of
resorption, e.g., vertigo, stupor, kidney damage (nephritis,
hematuria).Following gastrointestinal emptying (gastric lavage with
burgundy-colored potassium permanganate solution, sodium
sulfate), installation of activated charcoal and shock prophy-
laxis (quiet,, warmth), the therapy for these sorts of poison-
ings consists of treating spasms with diazepam (i.v.),
electrolyte substitution and treating possible cases of acidosis
with sodium bicarbonate infusions. In case of shock, plasma
volume expanders should be infused. Monitoring of kidney
function is essential. Intubation and oxygen respiration may
also be necessary. Furthermore, the leaves possess a very
severe potential for sensitization, due to their urushiol
content. Following sensitization (which can also occur
through contact with decorative art from the Far East, such
as wooden chairs that have been treated with toxicodendron
lacquers), renewed contact leads within a few hours to
itching eczemas and eventual blister formation.DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Homeopathic dilutions of the
mother tincture.
Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet or 10 globules every
30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic);