PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS RED CLOVER/633

tinal tract with subsequent increase of peristalsis. The drug is

severely toxic in higher dosages.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The drug can be used for respiratory tract

and rheumatic conditions, gastrointestinal tract, metabolic

disorders, liver disease, and acute and chronic infectious

conditions.

Homeopathic Uses: Bryonia cretica is used for acute and

chronic rheumatism, peritonitis, and inflammation of the

respiratory organs and the pleura.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper

administration of designated homeopathic therapeutic dos-

ages. Side effects connected with the ingestion of the base

tincture and Dl include signs of irritation in the gastro-

intestinal tract. All parts of the plant are strongly toxic, due

to the cucurbitacins content, which is irritating to mucous

membranes.

OVERDOSAGE

Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, bloody diarrhea,

colic, kidney irritation, anuria, spasms,-palsies and aborted

pregnancy. Death occurs through asphyxiation. Forty berries

are considered lethal for an adult, 15 for a child. 3.5 gm of

the drug is considered poisonous; one death has been

documented following the ingestion of an infusion made

from 30 gm of the root.

Following gastrointestinal emptying (in case vomiting has

not occurred, gastric lavage witJh burgundy-colored potassi-

um permanganate solution, sodium sulfate) and installation

of activated charcoal, the therapy for poisoning consists of

treating spasms with diazepam (i.v.), electrolyte substitution

and treating possible cases of acidosis with sodium bicarbon-

ate infusions. In the event of shock, plasma volume

expanders should be infused. Monitoring of kidney function

is imperative. Intubation and oxygen respiration may also be

necessary.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Liquid and solid preparations for

internal use; semi-solid preparations for external use.

Preparation:

Wine — 40 gm drug to 1 L white wine, leave to draw for 1

day.

Tincture — 10 gm to 90 gm ethyl alcohol (60%), leave to
draw for 8 days.

Honey decoction — 20 gm drug to 250 gm honey and 350
gm wine vinegar, simmer for 30 minutes at a low tempera-
ture, strain when cool and store in a well-sealed bottle.

Ointment — Mix 30 gm cut drug with the same amount of

Vaseline or wax.

Daily Dosage:

Powder — 0.3 to 0.5 gm as a laxative and emetic.

Decoction — 0.5 gm to 1 gm per cup.

Wine — 1 to 2 dessertspoons daily.

Tincture — 1 to 10 drops per day; maximum 20 drops.

Homeopathic Dosage: 5 to 10 drops, 1 tablet, 5 to 10

globules, 1 to 3 times daily or 1 ml'injection solution sc.

twice weekly; ointment 1 to 2 times daily; mother tincture

Dl diluted to be taken with liquid (HAB1)

Storage: Should be sealed tightly.

LITERATURE

Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Ed), Hagers

Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6

(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-

1994.

Red Clover

Trifolium pratense

TRADE NAMES

Red Clover liquid, Red Clover Blossom, Red Clover Herb,

Promensil, EuroQuality Red Clover Blossoms, NuVeg Red

Clover Concentrate

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried and the

fresh flower heads.

Flower and Fruit: One to 4 globular, ovate flower heads

form on the tip of the stem. The calyx is tubular-campami-

late. The petals are light carmine to fleshy red, occasionally

yellowish-white or pure white. The fruit is a pod, which is

ovate, 1-seeded and thin-skinned. The seed is oblong-ovate,

yellow to brownish or violet.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a perennial herb, 15 to

40 cm high with a bushy rhizome and a basal leaf rosette. An

erect, angular stem grows from the rhizome. The rhizome is

covered in alternate, trifoliate, elliptical or ovate leaves,

which have a characteristic arrow-shaped white spot on the

upper surface. The leaflets are short-petioled, almost entire-

margined, appressed, softly pubescent on both surfaces or

only on the upper surface.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to Europe, central Asia,

northern Africa and is naturalized in many other parts of the

world.