PDR for Herbal Medicines

678 /SCOTCH THISTLE PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Scotch Thistle

Onopordwn acanthium

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the herb and the

root.

Flower and Fruit: The large, light-red composite flowers are

terminal on the branches. The bracts are linear-lanceolate,

thorny-tipped, splayed at the bottom and like cobwebs. The

plant has only tubular androgynous flowers. The bristles of

the hair calyx are reddish, short pinnate and almost twice as

long as the fruit. The flower heads fall after the fruit ripens

and the seeds fall out.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is biennial and grows from

30 to 150 cm. The stem is erect and branched. It appears to

be winged because of the downward leaves, which are

broader than the stem. The leaves are rough, irregularly

thorny and dentate to pinnatisect. When young they appear

almost white.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to almost all of Europe,

with the exception of the far north; k was introduced to

North America.

Production: Scotch Thistle is the aerial part of Onopordum

acanthium.

Other Names: Woolly Thistle

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Sesquiterpene lactones (bitter principles): including, among

others onopordopicrin

Flavonoids: including luteolin-7-O-glucoside

Hydroxycoumarins: esculin

Caffeic acid derivatives

Betaine: stachydrine

Polyyne s

EFFECTS

A cardiotonic effect is questionable.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The drug is considered obsolete. In the

religious system of anthroposophy, Scotch Thistle is used as

a cardiac stimulant.

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: Scotch Thistle is available in the

form of drops, ampules and tablets. In anthroposophic

medicine, a preparation of the fresh leaves is used internally.

LITERATURE

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

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

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

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

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Scrophularia nodosa

See Figwort

Scullcap

Scutellaria lateriflora

TRADE NAMES

Scullcap (available from numerous manufacturers), Wild

American Scullcap, Wild Countryside Scullcap

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part of the plant is the herb.

Flower and Fruit: The pink or blue flowers are in short,

chiefly lateral false spikes. The calyx is fluffy, dorsiventral

and flattened, with 2 rounded, entire-margined lips. The

lower lip has a helmet-shaped, concave appendage. The 4

ascending stamens have pairs of ciliated anthers. The fruit is

a globular to flattened-ovoid warty nutlet.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The perennial herb grows to 60 cm

in height and is thickly covered with simple and glandular

hairs. The stem is erect and heavily branched. The foliage

leaves are usually ovate to lanceolate or linear, petioled,

entire-margined or crenate.

Characteristics: The herb has a bitter, slightly astringent

taste.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to North America and is

cultivated in Europe.

Production: Scullcap is the aerial part of 3- to 4-year-old

Scutellaria lateriflora and related species, which is harvested

in June and then pulverized.

Other Names: Blue Pimpernel, Helmet Flower, Hoodwort,

Mad-Dog Weed, Madweed, Quaker Bonnet