PDR for Herbal Medicines

700 /SMARTWEED

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

Nachdruck, Georg 01ms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer

Verlag Heidelberg 1992.

Teuscher E. Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,

Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.

Wagner H, Wiesenauer M. Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und

pflanzliche Homoopathika. Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New

York 1995.

Smilax species

See Sarsaparilla

Sneezewort

Achillea ptarmica

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the dried root.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are white, composite and in

cymes at the tip of the stem. The bracts are lanceolate and

short-haired. The ray florets are linguiform and female. The

disc florets are tubular and androgynous. The chaff scales are

lanceolate and hairy-tipped. The fruit is hairless.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant grows from 30 to 80 cm

high. The rhizome is creeping, and the stem is upright and

glabrous. The leaves are glabrous, alternate, simple, lanceo-

late, acute, sessile and finely serrated. They are slightly

glossy and dark green.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to northern and central

Europe.

Production: The rhizome is dug up in the autumn of its

second year of bearing fruit, washed, freed of any green

areas and dried in the shade at a temperature of 35° C.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil

Polyynes: including pontica expoxide, tridecatrien-( 1,3,5)-

triin-(7,9,l 1 )-cis-dehydromatricaria ester

Alkamides: including trans-dehydromatricaria acid

isobutyl amide

EFFECTS
No information is available.

PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: In the past, Sneezewort was used as a

remedy for tiredness, loss of appetite, urinary tract com-

plaints, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rheumatism and other

painful disorders. Today it is considered a remedy for

toothache, flatulence and problems with elimination; the 41

herb also helps to regulate bowel movements.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages, although persons with compound allergies should

avoid salves prepared from the drug.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Sneezewort is available as a topical

preparation and in alcoholic extracts.

Preparation: To prepare an infusion, use 2 teaspoonfuls of

the comminuted drug to 2 cups of water.

Daily Dosage: A daily infusion can be drunk, or the fresh

root can be chewed.

LITERATURE

Kuropka G, Neugebauer M, Glombitza KW, Essential oils of

Achillea ptarmica. In: PM 57:492. 1991.

I

Riicker G et al., trans-Pinocarveylhydroxid aus Achillea

ptarmica. In: PM 60(2): 194. 1994.

Snowdrop

Galanthus nivalis

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: Although disputed, some attribute medici-

nal properties to the bulb.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are single on approximately

10 cm long peduncles, are campanulate, drooping and

shorter than the hood-like bract. The perigone has 6 tepals,

the outer 3 oval, white, 14 to 18 mm long and free. The inner

3 tepals are shorter, with an indentate tip, a green longitudi-

nal stripe on the inside and a green half-moon- shaped 'spot

on the outside. The 6 stamens are short and inclined toward

each other. The ovary is barrel-shaped and has 1 style. The

fruit is a yellowish-green, 3-chambered capsule with up to 12 I

seeds in each chamber. It is initially fleshy, and later springs

open in folds. The seeds are elliptical, 3 to 4 mm long, with a

thin membranous skin and a small and narrow horn-like

appendage.

Leaves, Stem and Root: This bulb plant is hardy and grows

to 10 to 25 cm high. There are only 2 basal leaves, up to 0.8

cm wide and up to 10 cm long, with a blue-green bloom.