640 /REED HERB PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINESSugar: in particular saccharose, inverted sugar (relatively
high content in the rhizome)
Triterpenes: including beta-amyrin, taraxerol, taraxerone
EFFECTS
The plant has diuretic and diaphoretic effects.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Reed Herb is used as a diuretic and
diaphoretic to treat digestive disorders. The juice is used to
soothe insect bites.
Chinese Medicine: Reed Herb is used for diabetes, leukemia
and breast cancer.
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: Preparations are used internally and
externally. The fresh and dried forms are used as infusions.
LITERATURE
Hegnauer R, Chemotaxonomie der Pflanzen, Bde 1-11,
Birkhauser Verlag Basel, Boston, Berlin 1962-1997.
Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.). Hagers Handbuch der
Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl.. Bde. 1-8. Springer Verlag
Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.
Tsitsa-Tzardi E, Skaltsa-Diamantidis H, Philianos S, Delitheos
A, Chemical and pharmacological study of Phragmites
communis Trin. Ann Pharm Fr, 48:185-91. 1990.
Van Ree R, Driessen MN, Van Leeuwen WA, Stapel SO,
Aalberse RC, Variability of crossreactivity of IgE antibodies to
group I and V allergens in eight grass pollen species. Clin Exp
Allergy, 22:611-7, 1992 Jun.Rehmannia (Di-Huang)
Rehmannia glutinosa
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part of the plant is the root
tuber. rFlower and Fnrit: The inflorescences are racemes with
approximately 10 flowers. The flower structures are in fives;
the calyx is approximately 1.5 cm long, 5-trpped and
campanulate. The corolla is a tube that broadens higher up, is
3 to 4 cm long and red-violet. There are 4 stamens and a
superior, 2-chambered ovary. The fruit is a loculicidal
capsule.
Leaves, Stem and Root: This herbaceous perennial grows up
to 40 cm high. The leaves are alternate, 3 to 10 cm long and
1.5 to 4 cm wide. The lamina is obovate to lanceolate and
undulating with a crenate margin; the leaves and stem are
velvet-pubescent. The roots are partly thickened to tubers.Habitat: Rehmannia glutinosa is indigenous to China, Japan
and Korea.Production: Rehmannia glutinosa is harvested in autumn; the
root tuber is either cleaned and used as it is (called
Shoudihuang or Xiandihuang) or is moistened with steam,
cut into slices and dried over a fire until the water is reduced
by 80% (Shengdihuang).ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Iridoids: chief component catalpol (0.3 to 0.5%), including
ajugol, aucubin, melittoside, rehmaniosides A to DMonoterpene: rehmapicrosideIonone glucosides: rehmaionones A and BMonosaccharides/oligosaccharides: stachyose (10%, based
upon the fresh weight), saccharose, raffinose, D-fructose, D-
glucose, D-galactoseSteroids: sterols, including beta-sitosterol, campesterol,
stigmasterolEFFECTS
The phenolic glycosides of the drug are antibacterial,
immunosuppressive and antihepatotoxic in effect. Verbasco-
side inhibits the thromboxane synthetase system; its efficacy
with rheumatic diseases, among others, is thus plausible.INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Chinese Medicine: The drug is used in traditional Chinese
medicine as a diuretic and for its nourishing and strengthen-
ing effect on the liver, kidney and heart. The fresh and dried
forms are used differently.Shoudihuang (fresh root tuber) is used in the liver and
kidney meridians for paralysis of the larynx, irregular
menstruation, allergic lowered immunity, insomnia, vertigo,
tinnitus, impaired hearing,-hyperhidrosis, diabetes and in-
creased frequency of urination.Shengdihuang (dried root tuber) is used mainly in the heart,
kidney and liver meridians for febrile conditions, dry mouth,
nose bleeds, internal bleeding, rheumatism, constipation,
hepatitis, diabetes and metrorrhagia.Efficacy for the indications rheumatism, eczema and viral
hepatitis (IV) has been proven in clinical trials with
decoctions of the fresh root. Efficacy for the otfier indica-
tions has not yet been proven.