PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS RED SANDALWOOD/ 635

antiseptic effect and was often used to treat burns to prevent

the formation of blisters. The leaves are said to have

emmenagogic properties.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Red currant has been used in folk medicine

to treat febrile conditions.

PRECAUTIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS

No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper

administration of designated therapeutic dosages.

DOSAGE

No data are available in the literature.

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 Maple

Acer rub rum

V -

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the bark.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are red and aromatic, forming

round bunches. The ovary is formed from 2 simple carpels

pressed together at the sides, which are also present in t,he

male flowers in rudimentary form. Each section contains 2

ovules. The fruit is a schizocarp with 2 one-sided or many-

sided, often heavily veined wings. There is usually only one

seed in each section.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The Red Maple tree grows to a

height of up to 36 m. The leaves are crossed-opposite,

petiolate and partially 3-lobed.

Habitat: Canada and the U.S., introduced into England and

Europe around 1650.

Production: Red Acom bark is the trunk bark of Acer

rubrum.

Other Names: Swamp Maple, Bird's Eye Maple, Sugar

Maple

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Tannins

Triterpenoid saponins

Allantoins

EFFECTS

Red maple has an astringent effect.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Red Maple is used for eye conditions (folk

medicine of the North American Indians).

This product should not be used otherwise.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Comminuted drug.

LITERATURE

No literature references are available.

Red Sandalwood

Pterocarpus santalinus

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the wood.

•Flower and Fruit: The tree bears spikes of yellow flowers. -

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a 6 to 8 m high tree with

red bark.

Habitat: The plant grows in South India, Sri Lanka and the

Philippines.

Production: Red Sandalwood consists of the heartwood of

the trunk of Pterocarpus santalinus separated from the

sapwood, in some regions also obtained from other Pterocar-

pus species. It is collected in uncultivated regions.

Other Names: Real Sandalwood, Rubywood, Red Saunders,

Sappan, and Sanderswood Red

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Benzxanthenone derivatives (red pigments): chief compo-

nents santalins A and B (red), additionally santalin AC and

santalin Y (yellow)

Isoflavonoids: santal, pterocarpine, and homopterocarpine

Stilbene derivatives: pterostilbene

Volatile oil (traces): chief components cedrol (cedar cam-

phor, up to 50%), including as well pterocarpol, isopterocar-

pol, eudesmol

EFFECTS

In animal experiments, extracts of the wood are hypoglyce-

mic. Insecticidal and antidiabetic effects are attributed to the

pterostilbene constituent. In addition CNS-suppressive, spas-