PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS SOLOMON'S SEAL/703

Lewin L, Gifte und Vergiftungen, 6. AufL, Nachdruck, Haug

Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.

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

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K: Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
   Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
   Stuttgart 1997.
   Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
   Stuttgart 1997.

Dulcamara G-S,

See Bittersweet Nightshade

Solanum nigrum

See Black Nightshade

Solidago canadensis

See Canadian Golden Rod

Solidago virgaurea

See European Golden Rod

Solomon's Seal

Polygonatum multiflorum

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts of the plant are the

dried rhizome and roots.

Flower and Fruit: The odorless, greenish-white campanulate

flowers are in 2 to 6 blossomed racemes, usually without an

accompanying leaf. The perigone tube is tightly cylindrical,

9 to 20 mm long and 2 to 4 mm wide. It is drawn together

over die ovary and opens out like a funnel at the top. The

tepals at die tip are pubescent on die inside, and the filaments

are softly pubescent. The fruit is a blue-black, frosted berry,

8 to 9 mm in diameter witii a disgusting, sweet taste.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a perennial 30 to 80 cm
high herb. The stems are sturdy, round and glabrous. The
leaves are ovate to elliptical, 5 to 15 cm long and 3 to 7.5 cm

wide, narrowing suddenly at the base. They are glabrous,

dark green above and gray-green frosted beneath.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to Europe, the Near East,

eastern Asia, the Himalayas, Siberia and North America.

Production: Solomon's Seal rhizome is the rhizome of

Polygonatum multiflorum. The root-stocks should be dug up

during the dormant seasons, autumn and spring. Earth and

roots are removed and the rhizomes cut into pieces of a few

centimeters in length.

Other Names: Dropberry, Lady's Seals, Sealroot, Sealwort,

St. Mary's Seal

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Steroid saponins (2.5%): 1 unnamed saponins, aglycones

diosgenin, or else (25R)-furost-5-en-3beta,22alpha,26-triole

Mucilages

Acetidin-2-carboxylic acid

EFFECTS

The steroid saponins may be responsible for the anti-

inflammatory effect of the drug. It works as a tonic, and

relieves and soothes upset stomach.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The plant was formerly used in the

treatment of respiratory and lung disorders. It was used

externally in the treatment of bruises, furuncles, ulcers or

boils on me fingers, hemorrhoids, redness of the skin, and for

edema and hematoma.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

witfi the proper administration of designated Uierapeutic

dosages. Extended administration of me drug in merapeutic

dosages can lead to gastrointestinal irritation.

OVERDOSAGE

Overdosage leads to nausea, diarrhea, gastric complaints and

queasiness.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: The drug has been used internally

as an infusion and externally as a poultice, but is now

obsolete.

Storage: Store in paper and clotii sacks.

LITERATURE

Janeczko Z, (1980) Acta Polon. Pharm 37:559.

Kato A, Miura T, Hypoglycemic action of the rhizomes of

Polygonatum officinale in normal and diabetic mice. In: PM

60(3):201. 1994.

Sugiyama M et al., Chem Pharm Bull 32:1365-1372. 1984.