PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS WATER DROPWORT/795

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.

Hegnauer R, Pharm Weekblad 87:641-646. 1952.

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

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Water Dock

Rumex aquaticus

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried roots.

Flower and Fruit: The inflorescence is a large, dense

panicle. The pedicles are filiform and up to 2.5 times as long

as the capsules. The capsules are 6 to 8 mm long, ovate-

triangular, more or less acute, longer than wide and entire-

margined.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The herb is perennial and has an

erect 100 to 200 cm high stem. The leaves are 7.5 to 10 cm

wide with curly margins. The basal leaves are triangular,

acute, deeply cordate at the base and 1.5 to 2.5 times as long

as they are wide. The petiole is at least as long as the leaf

blade. The rhizome is dark brown to blackish on the outside

and porous.

Habitat: The plant is common in Europe.

Production: The root material is sliced and then dried in the

shade.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Oxalates: oxalic acid, calcium oxalate

Tannins

Anthracene derivatives: including anthranoids

EFFECTS

The active agents are quercitrin, protein, fat, starch, essential

oil and tannin. The herb acts as an aid to digestion.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Water Dock is used for blood purification

and constipation. The powdered form is also useful for

cleaning the teeth or for mouth ulcers. It is used externally

for sores and scorbutic conditions.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction
with the proper administration of designated therapeutic
dosages.

OVERDOSAGE

Oxalate poisonings are conceivable, but only with the

consumption of very large quantities of the leaves as salad.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: The drug is used internally and

externally as a liquid extract or as a powder. Use of the herb

went out of favor during the 18th century.

LITERATURE

Grznar K. Rada K. Farmaceut Obzor 47:195. 1978.

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

Pharmazeutischen Praxis. 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8: Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg. New York, 1969.

Sharma M et al.. Indian J Chem Sect B 15B.544. 1977.

Water Dropwort

Oenanthe crocata

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the rhizome.

Flower and Fnut: The flowers are in terminal umbels. The

flowering shoots are longer than the 10 to 40 pedicled rays,

which do not micken in the fruiting phase. The cylindrical

fruit is 4 to 6 mm long.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a branched, stout

perennial up to 150 cm high. The roots are fleshy and pale

yellow. They have obovoid or ellipsoid tubers close to the

point of attachment to the stem. The stems are hollow, striate

and grooved. The basal leaves are 3- to 4-pinnate. The lobes

of the basal leaves are ovate to suborbicular, cuneate at base.

The lobed. crenate. cauline leaves are 2-s to 3-pinnate and

almost sessile. The lobes of the cauline leaves are ovate to

linear, and the segments are closer and sharper than the basal

leaves.

Characteristics: The plant is extremely poisonous.

Habitat: The plant grows around ditches and ponds in the

U.S., and parts of Europe, excluding Scandinavia, Holland,

Germany. Russia. Turkey and Greece.

Production: Water Dropwort is the root of Oenanthe crocata,

which is collected in the wild.

Other Names: Hemlock, Dead Men's Fingers, Horsebane,

Dead Tongue, Five-Fingered Root, Water Lovage

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Polyynes: including among others the highly toxic oenantho-

toxin as well as oenanthetol, oenanthetone, dihydrooenan-

thotoxin