PDR for Herbal Medicines

798/WATER GERMANDER PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The herb is used for the treatment of

festering and inflamed wounds, bronchial ailments, diarrhea,

fever, hemorrhoids, and intestinal parasites.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Water Germander is used internally

and externally.

Daily Dosage: Four teaspoonfuls of the herb (7.2 gm) is

taken daily as an infusion. The same preparation can be used

internally or externally.

LITERATURE

Fikenscher LH. Hegnauer R. Plant Med Phytother 3(3): 183.

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.

Papanov G, Malakov PY, (1981) Z Naturforsch (B)36:112.

Papanov GY et al., PH 24:297-299. 1985.

Singh S et al., Fitoterapia 63:555. 1992.

Watercress

Nasturtium officinale

TRADE NAMES

Watercress (available from numerous manufacturers and as

combination product)

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the aerial parts

collected during the flowering season and the entire flower-

ing plant.

Flower and Fruit: On the leading and side shoots there are
terminal, raceme-like inflorescences, which are slightly
umbelliferous and consist of small, white, solitary flowers.
The 4 white sepals are 2 to 3 mm long and glabrous. The 4
white petals are 2.5 to 5 mm long and turn lilac. There are 2
to 4 stamens with yellow anthers and filaments, which also
turn lilac. The fruit is 13 to 18 mm long, with a glabrous pod
on an 8 to 12 cm stem. The seeds are flat, ovate, 1 mm long,
0.8 to 0.9 mm wide and roughly reticulate. There are about
25 sections on each seed surface.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a perennial that grows

from 25 to 90 cm and has creeping runners. The stem is

angular, hollow, decumbent, rooting and branched. The

somewhat fleshy leaves are alternate, usually odd-pinnate,

lyrate and petiolate. They remain grass-green in winter. They

have broad-elliptical, entire-margined or sweeping-crenate

leaflets and roundish, broadly cordate terminal leaflets.

Characteristics: The plant has a radish-like taste and smells

tangy when rubbed.

Habitat: The plant is found almost all over the world and is

cultivated in many regions.

Production: Watercress consists of the fresh or dried above-

ground parts of Nasturtium officinale. The fresh herb is

collected in the wild and dried in shady, well-aired

conditions.

Not to be Confused With: Berula erecta or Cardamine amara

Other Names: Indian Cress

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Glucosinolates in the fresh, unbruised plant (0.9% of fresh

weight): chief components gluconasturtiin (80%), which

releases in the course of cell destruction the mustard oil

phenyl ethyl isothiocyanate, from which 3-phenyl propioni-

trile, among other substances, spontaneously arises; addition-

ally glucotropaeolin (yielding benzyl isothiocyanate), as well

as 7-methyl thioheptyl glucosinolate, 8-methyl thiooctyl

glucosinolate

Flavonoids

Vitamin C (80 mg/100 gm)

EFFECTS

Watercress has antibiotic, antitumoral and diuretic actions.

The diuretic effect is probably due to the mustard oil content.

As an amaroid drug, it stimulates appetite and digestion.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Cough/bronchitis
  Unproven Uses: Internally, the plant is used for catarrh of
  the respiratory tract, as an appetite stimulant and for
  digestion complaints. Externally, a decoction of the leaves in
  poultices and compresses is used for arthritis.
  Homeopathic Uses: Watercress is used to treat irritation of
  the efferent urinary tract.
  CONTRAINDICATIONS
  Contraindications include stomach or intestinal ulcers and
  inflammatory renal diseases.