HERBAL MONOGRAPHS TRAGACANTH / 767respiratory disturbances, mild spasms and, in very severe
cases, death through respiratory failure could occur.
Case studies are not known.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: The drug is commonly used in
homeopathic dilutions.
Preparation: The mother tincture is produced by maceration
or percolation of the fresh or dried drug, with an ethanol
content of 45%.
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 (HAB1).
LITERATURE
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.
Tomaten als Krebsschutz. In: DAZ 134(6):485. 1994.# Tonka Beans
Dipteryx odorata
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the seeds.
Flower and Fruit: The beans are usually 2 to 5 cm long and
1 cm in diameter. They have a grayish or black color.
Characteristics: The bean has a characteristic odor, like
new-mown hay of coumarin.
Habitat: South America
Production: Tonka Beans are the seeds of Dipteryx odorata.
Other Names: Tonquin Bean
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Coumarin (1-3% to 10%)
Fatty oil9 EFFECTS
Tonka Beans have a tonic and aromatic effect.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Whooping cough (no longer used).
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-
tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded. The
therapeutic administration of drugs containing coumarin can
lead to slight liver damage (elevated liver enzyme values in
the blood) in a very small number of patients, that is,
however, reversible following discontinuance of the drug.
OVERDOSAGE
The intake of very high dosages (4 gm coumarin, equivalent
to 150 gm of the drug) could bring about stupor, headache,
nausea and vomiting.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Tonka Beans are obsolete as a drug.
LITERATURE
Kalume DE, Sousa MV, Morhy L, Purification characterization
sequence determination and mass spectrometric analysis of a
trypsin inhibitor from seeds of the Brazilian tree Dipteryx alata
(Leguminosae). J Protein Chem, 14:685-93, Nov, 1995.
Lewin L, Gifte und Vergiftungen, 6. Aufl., Nachdruck, Haug
Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.
Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,- Aufl., Ecomcd Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
Sullivan G, (1968) J Agric Food Chem 30(3):609.
Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
Tragacanth
Astragalus gummifer
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal product of the plant is the
gum-like exudation from the trunk and branches.Flower and Fruit: The axillary flowers are solitary or in
groups of 2 or 3 and are sessile. The calyx is 6 to 7 mm long
and densely pubescent. The corolla is yellowish to white and
sometimes has bluish or reddish veins. The standard, wings
and carina are each 9 to 10 mm long. The fruit is ovoid, 4
mm long with dense, silky hairs. The seed is oval, smooth
and about 3 mm long.Leaves, Stem and Root: Astralagus gummifer is a low shrub
that grows up to 30 cm high and has gray branches that
become glabrous. The older branches have scale-like re-
mains of the stipules from the previous year, which
disappear later, and a 1 to 4 cm long perennial, thorny leaf
column. The 8 to 14 leaflets are folded, oblong-ovate, 2.5 to
6 mm long and 0.7 to 2.5 mm wide, blue-gray and glabrous
or sparsely pubescent beneath.Habitat: The plant grows in Turkey, Syria, Lebanon,
northwest Iraq and the border area between Iran and Iraq.