PDR for Herbal Medicines

790 /VIROLA PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

The drug is not used as a medication. The drug has a

psychomimetic effect when administered through the nasal

mucous membrane.

OVERDOSAGE

Signs of poisoning include nausea, increased irritability,

numbness in the limbs, coordination disorders and hallucina-

tions, among others. The tryptamine derivatives are resorbed

only to a very limited extent following oral administration.

DOSAGE

Preparation: There is no information in the literature.

LITERATURE

de Smet PA, A multidisciplinary overview of intoxicating snuff

rituals in the Western Hemisphere. J Ethnopharmacol, 13:3-49,

1985 Mar.

Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Ed), Hagers

Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6

(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin. Heidelberg, New York, 1992-

1994.

MacRae WD, Towers GH, Justicia pectoralis: a study of the

basis for its use as a hallucinogenic snuff ingredient. J

Ethnopharmacol, 12:93-111, 1984 Oct.

MacRae WD, Towers GH, Phytochemical investigation of

Virola peruviana, a new hallucinogenic plant. J Pharm Sci,

12:1561-3, 1973 Sep.

McKenna DJ, Towers GH, Abbott FS, Alkaloids in certain

species of Virola and other South American plants of

ethnopharmacologic interest. Acta Chem Scand, 12:903-16,

1969.

McKenna DJ, Towers GH, Abbott FS, Monoamine oxidase

inhibitors in South American hallucinogenic plants. Part 2:

Constituents of orally-active Myristicaceous hallucinogens. J

Ethnopharmacol, 12:179-211, 1984 Nov.

Plotkin MJ, Schultes RE, Virola: a promising genus for

ethnopharmacological investigation. J Psychoactive Drugs,

22:357-61, 1990 Jul-Sep.

Virola theiodora

See Virola

Vitex agnus-castus

See Chaste Tree

Vitis vinifera

See Grape

Viscum album

See European Mistletoe

Wafer Ash

Ptelea trifoliata

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the leaves, the

young bark and the root bark. The plant is also used in

homeopathic medicine.

Flower and Fruit: The small, greenish-white flowers are in

loose, terminal cymes and are dioecious. The 4- to 5-sepalled

calyx and the 4 to 5 petals are downy on the outside. There

are 4 to 5 stamens whose filaments are hairy at the base. The

compressed ovary has a short style and stigma which is

divided in two. The fruit is circular and winged with a broad,

greenish-white, later ochre-colored margin.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a bush or small tree up

to 4 m high with glabrous, smooth, dark or red-brown

branches. The younger branches, leaves and petiols are

downy. The leaves are large, 3-lobed, lanceolate narrowing

to both ends, entire, dark green above, lighter beneath and

covered with numerous fine glandular spots.

Characteristics: The flowers are pleasantly perfumed and the

fruit is bitter-tangy.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to Eastern North America

and is cultivated in Europe as an ornamental bush.

Production: Wafer Ash is the root-bark of Ptelea trifoliata.

Other Names: Pickaway Anise, Prairie Grub, Scubby Tre-

foil, and Stinking Prairie Bush, Swamp Dogwood, Hop Tree,

Three-Leafed, Wingseed

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Furoquinoline alkaloids: including kokusaginine, skimmia-

nine (beta-fagarine), ptelein, dictamnine, and maculosidine

Furanocoumarins: including isopimpinellin, marmesin, and

phellopterin