PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS

Leaves, Stem and Root: The tree is up to 18 m tall. The

leaves are smooth, glossy, short petioled, and oval. The bark

is thick, dark and very hard. It is odorless, very bitter and

astringent.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to Chile, Peru and is

cultivated in India and California.

Production: Quillaja Bark is the bark of Quillaja saponaria.

Other Names: Quillai, Quillaja Bark, Soap Tree, Panama

Bark, and Cullay

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS ~

Tannins (10 to 15%)

Triterpene saponins (8.5 to 17%): chief saponins quillajasa-

ponins 17 (QS 17, QS III), 18 (QS 18), 21 (QS 21), chief

saponin quillaic acid

EFFECTS

Because of its saponin content the drug is lipid-lowering,

anti-exudative and immune-stimulating in animal experi-

ments. The expectorant and purgative effect is also attributed

to the saponin content.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Quillaja is used internally for coughs,

chronic bronchitis, and conditions of the respiratory tract. It

is used externally for dandruff.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages.

OVERDOSAGE

Mucus membrane irritation could occur in the event of

overdosage. Overdosage complaints include gastroenteritis,

combined with vertigo, stomach pain and diarrhea. The drug

possesses a low potential for sensitization.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Quillaja is available as liquid

extract and tincture for internal and external use.

LITERATURE

Higuchi R et aL, (1987) Phytochemistry 26 (1):229.

Higuchi R et al., PH 27:1165. 1988.

Higuchi R, Komori T, PH 26:2357. 1987.

Labriola RA, Denlofeu, V, (1969) Experientia 25:124.

Lallouette P et al., (1967) C R A S Paris D 265:582.

Topping DL et al., (1980) Proc Nutr Soc Aust 5:195.
Wolters B, Arzneipflanzen und Volksmedizin Chiles. In: DAZ
134(39):3693. 1994.

QUINCE/625

Further information in:

Kem W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde 1-8: Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used

in Food Drugs, Cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York

1980.

Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer

Verlag Heidelberg 1992. • • •

Teuscher E, 3iogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss.Verlagsges.

Stuttgart 1997.

Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

Stuttgart 1997.

Quillaja saponaria

See Quillaja

Quince

Cydonia oblongata

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the fruit and seeds.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are pink, relatively large,

solitary and perfumed. The fruit is yellow, downy and apple

or pear-shaped.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Qunice is a 3 to 6 m high tree or

shrub with tomentose branches covered in alternate, ovate

leaves. The undersurface of the leaves is grass-green and

tomentose.

Habitat: Quince is indigenous to southwest and central Asia,

but it has also spread to Europe and in particularly the

Mediterranean.

Production: Quince seeds are the seeds of Cydonia oblonga-

ta. The ripe quinces are picked, stored for a period, then cut

and finally dried at temperatures not exceeding 50°C. The

seeds are gathered up and used in whole or ground form.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Cyanogenic glycosides: amygdalin (corresponding to 0.4 -

1.5%, 27 to 75 mg HCN/100 g)

Mucilages

Fatty oil