PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS SHORT BUCHU / 691

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Nosebleeds


• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)


• Wounds and burns

Unproven Uses: Internally, the plant is used for mild

menstrual irregularities such as menorrhagia and metrorrha-

gia. Externally, it is used for nosebleeds and superficially

bleeding skin injuries. Shepherd's Purse is seldom used in

folk medicine today. In America itjs used for headaches. In

Spain a decoction of the fresh plant is used for bladder

inflammation.

Homeopathic Uses: Capsella bursa-pastoris is used for

uterine and mucous membrane bleeding as well as for

calculosis.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

General: No health hazards or side effects are known in

conjunction with the proper administration of designated

therapeutic dosages.

Pregnancy: Not to be used during pregnancy.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Comminuted drug for tea and other

galenic preparations for internal use and external

administration.

Daily Dosage: Internally, the average daily dose is 10 to* 15

gm of drug. The liquid extract daily dose is 5 to 8 gm drug.

The infusion may be drunk throughout the day. Externally an

infusion is prepared by adding 3 to 5 gm drug to 150 ml

water.

Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops or 1 tablet or 10 globules

every 30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times a day

(chronic); parenterally: 1 to 2 ml 3 times a day sc (HAB1)

Storage: Shepard's Purse should be protected from light and

moisture.

LITERATURE

Farkas L, In "Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 1st Int Cong.

Munich 1971", Springer-Verlag 1971.

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

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

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

1994.

Hill RK, in "The Alkaloids Vol. T\ Ed. SW Pelletier, John

Wiley 1984.

Kuroda K, Tagaki K, (1968) Nature 220:707.

Kuroda K et al., (1976) Cancer Res 36:1900.

Kuroda K, Kaku T, (1969) Life Sci 8(1): 151.

Kuroda K, Tagaki K, (1969) Arch Int Pharmacodyn 178(2):

382. 
     
     
     
     392. Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
          Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.
          Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Giftstoffe mikrobieller Endo- und
          Epiphyten. Gefahren fur Mensch und Tier? In: DAZ
          132(42):2231. 1992.
          Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
          Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl.. Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
          Vermathen M, Glasl H. Effect of the herb extract of Capsella
          bursa pastoris on blood coagulation. In: PM 59(7)70. 1993.
          Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
          Stuttsart 1997. ~~ ~~
     
     
     
     

Short Buchu

Barosma species

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the leaves of

Barosma betulina, Barosma crenulata and Barosma serratifo-

• lia gathered during the flowering season, as well as the"
  ethereal oil extracted from the dried leaves of Barosma
  betulina.
  Flower and Fruit: The pentamerous flowers of Barosma
  betulina form a white or pink corolla 12 mm in diameter with
  lanceolate petals. The fruit is a 7 mm long capsule with 5
  chambers and one seed per chamber. The upper surface is
  greenish-brown and rough. The fruit springs open at the 5
  valves. The seeds are ovoid, oblong, about 5 mm long and 2
  mm wide, glossy black and hard with no endosperm. The
  flowers of Barosma crenulata are pink or white and attached
  to short leafy side branches.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Barosma betulina is a small shrub

with light green to yellowish leaves. The leaves are 12 to 20

mm in length, opposite, rigid and coriaceous. They are

rhomboid or obovate, short-petioled and slightly pubescent,

blunt and revolute at the apex. Each indentation has an oil

gland. The oil glands form small raised structures onJJie leaf

surface. The stem is about 2 to 3 mm in diameter, reddish-

brown and rough (due to the oil glands) with 4 long grooves.

The intemodes are 8 to 20 mm long.

Barosma crenulata is a slender glabrous bush 2 to 3 m high.

It is branched somewhat angularly. The bark is violet-brown.

The leaves of Barosma crenulata vary in form, and are

opposite and pubescent on both surfaces. They reach up to 3

cm in length with an obtuse, but not a revolute, tip.

Barosma serratifolia bush is very similar to the above,

almough the leaves are longer, obtuse at the tip and narrowed