PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS STINGING NETTLE/729

Yodyingyuad V, Bunyawong S, Potential sweetening agents of

plant origin. III. Organoleptic evaluation of Stevia leaf

herbarium samples for sweetness. J Nat Prod, 6:590-99, 1982

Sep-Oct.

Stevia rebaudiana

See Stevia

Stillingia

Stillingia sylvatica

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the fresh or dried

root.

Flower and Fruit: The yellow flowers are in terminal spikes

and are apetalous. The fruit is a 3-seeded capsule.

Leaves,- Stem and Root: The plant is a-perermial herb up to

100 cm tall. It has an angular, smooth stem, which contains a

milky latex. The leaves are sessile, coriaceous and narrow at

the base. They are variable in form and color and are 3 to 11

cm long. The root is usually reddish-white on the outside and

has numerous resin glands.

Characteristics: The taste is bitter and acrid, the smell is

characteristic and unpleasant.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to the southern U.S.

Production: Stillingia root is the root of Stillingia sylvatica.

Other Names: Cockup Hat, Marcory, Silver Leaf, Queen's

Delight, Yaw Root

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Diterpenes: diterpene esters of the tiglic or daphnan type,

including diesters of 12-deoxyphorbol, of 12-deoxy-5(3-

hydroxyphofbol, of 5p, 12p-dihydroxyresiniferonol-

6a,7oc-oxide, referred to as stillingia factors SI to S9 (S6 =

gniditilactin, yuanhuacin, S7 = prostratin)

Volatile oil

Tannins (10 to 12%)

EFFECTS
The juice of the green root causes inflammation of the skin
and swelling. The drug has laxative, tonic and diuretic
properties.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The herb is used as a 'blood purifier', for

digestive disorders, and for the treatment of liver, billiary

and skin diseases.

Homeopathic Uses: Stillingia sylvatica is used for secondary

and tertiary syphilis.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

General: The drug is strongly irritating to skin and mucous

membranes. Taken internally, it triggers vomiting (it is used

as an emetic) and diarrhea (it is used as a laxative). Skin

contact leads to inflammation and swelling. The diterpenes

cause inflammation and are likely to be carcinogenic and

virus-activating.

Nursing Mothers: Stillingia should not be administered to

nursing mothers.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: As a liquid extract or tincture.

Storage: The drug should not be kept longer than 2 years.

LITERATURE

Adolf A, Hecker E, (1980) Tetrahedron Letters 21:2887.

British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. British Herbal Medicine

Association, UK 1983.

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. Autl.. Bde. 1-8: Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York. 1969.

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.

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

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

Zahn P et al., Investigations of homeopathic drugs derived from

Hippomane mancinella and Stillingia sylvatica: A potential

iatrogenic risk of cancer? In: PM 59(7)84. 1993.

Stillingia sylvatica

See Stillingia

Stinging Nettle

Urtica dioica

TRADE NAMES

Alcohol Free Nettles Leaf, Basics Stinging Nettle, Certified

Organic Netties Leaf, Nettle Leaf, Nettle Herb, Nettle Power