PDR for Herbal Medicines

800 /WHEAT PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

circulation takes place. In addition, a significant reduction of
postprandial lipid levels is exhibited. The topical application
of the drug as a bath additive for injured or irritated skin (due
to the carbohydrates and proteins it contains) leads to milieu
changes in the epidermis and thus to a reconstitution of the
callous layer.
COMPOUNDS: WHEAT GERM OIL
Fatty oil: triacylglycerols (60 to 75%), diacylglycerols (to
4%): chief fatty acids linoleic acid (50 to 65%), oleic acid
(15 to 22%), palmitic acid (7 to 18%), linolenic acid (5 to
8%)
Phospholipids (9 to 14%)
Glycolipids (0 to 2%): particularly acyldigalaktosyl glycerols
Free fatty acids (1 to 2%)
Steroids: sterol esters (2.5 to 3%), particularly those of beta-
sitosterol and campesterol
Tocopherols (vitamin E, 0.2 to 0.3%): particularly alpha-
tocopherol (share 60 to 70%), as well as beta-tocopherol,
gamma-tocopherol, alpha-tocotrienol, beta-tocotrienol
Carotinoids (0.15 to 0.25%)
EFFECTS: WHEAT GERM OIL
Wheat germ oil protects and nurtures the skin, is a laxative
and reduces lipids. It is a valuable dietetic because of the
high level of polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
WHEAT BRAN
Unproven Uses: Folk medicine internal uses include consti-
pation. Externally, bran has been used for itching and
inflammatory dermatoses (as a bran bath).
Chinese Medicine: Used to treat spontaneous night sweats.
Indian Medicine: Flatulence, constipation, itching and me-
norrhagia are considered to be indications for use in Indian
medicine. Efficacy for constipation and dermatoses seems
plausible, but efficacy for the other indications has not been
sufficiently proven.
WHEAT GERM OIL
Unproven Uses: Used as a dietary agent because of the high
level of polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
WHEAT BRAN AND WHEAT GERM OIL
No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper
administration of designated therapeutic dosages.
DOSAGE
WHEAT BRAN
Mode of Administration: Whole drug preparations are for
internal and external use.

Daily Dosage: As a laxative, the dose is 15 to 40 g 1 to 2

times daily, taken with meals and plenty of liquid. For a full/

partial bath: minimum 0.34 g aqueous extract to 1 L water

Chinese Medicine Daily Dosage: 9 to 15 g drug

WHEAT GERM OIL

Mode of Administration: Soft gelcaps or oil for internal and

external use.

Storage: Store tightly sealed in a cool place.

LITERATURE

Blaschek W, Hansel R, Keller K. Reichling J, Rimpler G,

Schneider G, (Eds) Hagers Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen

Praxis. Folgebande 1 und 2. Drogen A-Z. Springer. Berlin,

Heidelberg 1998.

Goff DJ, Kull FJ, The inhibition of human salivary alpha-

amylase by type II alpha-amylase inhibitor from Triticum

aestivum is competitive, slow and tight-binding. J Enzyme

Inhi'b, 252:163-70, 1995.

White Bryony

Bryonia alba

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the root.

Flower and Fruit: The plant is monoecious, occasionally

dioecious. The male flowers are in long-peduncled racemes,

which are 10 to 12 mm wide and shed easily. The female

flowers are in short-stemmed umbel-like clusters. The sepals

are almost as long as the corolla. The 5-petaled corolla is

yellowish-white and has green veins. The S^styles are almost

completely free. The stigmas are glabrous. The 2 fused,

inferior ovaries are 3-valved. The fruit is a 1- to 2-seeded,

thin-skinned, 7 to 8 mm thick, globose black berry.

Leaves, Stem and Root: White Bryony is an extremely fast-

growing perennial. It has a thick, tuberous root. The root is

fleshy, wrinkled horizontally, yellowish-gray on the outside

and white and slimy on the inside. The grooved, angular

stems are climbing, branched and have long internodes and

simple screw-like climbers. They grow up to 4 m long. The

leaves are short-petioled, broadly cordate, pentagonal to 5-

lobed and covered with short bristles on both sides.

Characteristics: The root is bitter and spicy. The plant is

categorized as extremely poisonous.

Habitat: Indigenous from northeastern and southeastern

Europe and also Iran.

Production: Bryonia root consists of the dried taproot of

Bryonia alba, which is cultivated.