PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS SWEET VERNAL GRASS / 749

Daily Dosage: Single dose is 1 gm.

Bed-wetting—5 to 20 drops depending on age, to be taken 2

to 3 times daily, over an extended period.

Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops. 1 tablet or 10 globules every

30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic);

parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc acute: 3 times daily; chronic: once

a day (HAB34)

Storage: Should be stored in dry place, protected from direct

light.

LITERATURE

Baer H, In: Toxic Plants. Ed. AD Kinghorn, Columbia Press

1979.

Effenberger S, Schilcher H. Gewiirzsumachrinde. In: ZPT

11(4): 113. 1990.

Schilcher H, Boesel R, Effenberger ST Segebrecht S, Neuere

Untersuchungsergebnisse mit aquaretisch, antibakteriell und

prostatotrop wirksamen Arzneipflanzen. In: ZPT 10(3):77. 1989.

Further information in:

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.

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

Nachdruck. Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Sweet Vernal Grass

Anthoxanthum odoratum

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The whole plant is considered to have

medicinal properties.

Flower and Fruit: The green, solitary, flowered spikelet has

4 spelts, the lower half of which are as large as the upper and

taller than the flowers. Both of the upper spelts are awned,

with 2 stamens. The style is long, the stigma pinnate, and

spikelets form an oblong false ear.

Leaves, Stem, and Root: The plant-size ranges from 15 to 50

cm. The plant grows as thick grass. The leaves are ciliate at

the base of the lamina. The leaf sheath is deeply grooved and

hairy.

Characteristics: Sweet Vernal Grass has a scent of dried

woodruff or new-mown hay and a tangy taste.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to Britain, Europe and
temperate Asia.

Production: Sweet Vernal Grass is the whole Anthoxantlium
odoratum plant in flower.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Hydroxy cinnamic acid glycosides: in the fresh plant

Melilotoside and coumarin: triggered by a beta-glucosidase

during dehydration of the plant

Iridoids: asperuloside, monotropein, scandoside

EFFECTS

No information is available.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The drug is used for headache, nausea.

sleeplessness and conditions of the urinary tract.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

The freshly harvested plant contains glycosidic precursors of

coumarin, which release coumarin in the process of dehydra-

tion (the drug contains up to 1.5% coumarin). No health

hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the

proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages.

OVERDOSAGE

. The administration of higher levels of .the drug can lead to
headache and dizziness. Liver injuries are possible among
susceptible patients during long-term treatment. The abnor-
mal liver values disappear when the drug is discontinued, but
on going observation of liver enzyme values of the blood is
recommended.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: The drug is used externally as an

extract.

LITERATURE

Brown SA. C and J Biochem Physiol 38:143/1960.

Fentem JH, Fry JR, Thomas NW, Species differences in the

hepatotoxicity of coumarin-a comparision of rat and Mongolian

gerbil. In: Toxicology 71 (1-2): 129. 1992.

Further information in:

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

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

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

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

Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.

Poisonous Plants in Britain and their effects on Animals and

Man, Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food, Pub; HMSO

(1984) UK.

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

4. Aufl.. Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
   Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
   Pharmacologic 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.