PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS WHITE MUSTARD/805

Characteristics: The bulbs are odorless and have a mildly

bitter and unpleasant flavor.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to Mediterranean regions

and is cultivated in many other regions.

Production: Baurenlilien (Farmer's Lily) root is the subterra-

nean part (onion) of Lilium candidum.

Other Names: Meadow Lily, Madonna Lily

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Flavonoids: including isorhamnetin glycosides

Gamma-methylene glutamic acid

Soluble polysaccharides: glucomannans

Starch

Tuliposide

The constituents of the drug have not been investigated

extensively.

EFFECTS

The plant has astringent, anti-inflammatory, pain reliever,

diuretic and expectorant properties.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Internally for gynecological disorders and

externally for ulcers, inflammation, furuncles, finger ulcers,

reddened skin, burns and injuries.

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: An infusion made from the ground

drug is used internally. The drug is also used externally as a

wet compress (paste).

Daily Dosage: Apply a thick paste, made from fresh or

cooked onions, in the middle of a compress or poultice, to

the affected area. This should be done several times during

the day.

LITERATURE

Delaveau P et al., (1980) Planta Med 40:49.

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

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

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Masterova I et al., (1987) Phytochemistry 26(6): 1844.

Nagy E et al., (1984) Z Naturforsch 39B(12):1813.

White Mustard

Sinapis alba

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried seeds.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers form an umbelliferous-

racemous inflorescence. The flowers are on 3 to 7 mm long,

stiff-haired pedicles. When in bloom the 4 narrow, obtuse

sepals lie horizontal. There are 3 green, ovate nectaries at the

base of the stamens. The fruit is a 2 to 4 cm long bristly pod,

divided into two chambers. Each chamber contains two to

three 2.5 mm thick seeds. The chamber ends as a large curled

lip. The seeds vary from brown to white and are arranged in

opposite rows.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Sinapis alba is an annual plant. The

lower part of the plant is covered in stiff, single hairs. The

thin root is yellow to white and branched. The root produces

a 30 to 60 cm high, erect, grooved and branched stem. The

leaves are 4 to 10 cm long, petiolate, lyrate, pinnatifid to

pinnatesect and always have 2 to 3 indented-dentate lobed

pinna.

Habitat: The plant has been introduced and naturalized in all

of Europe and in Siberia, east Asia and America. The areas

of cultivation are western and northern Europe and the

northern U.S.

Production: White Mustard seed consists of the ripe, dried

seed of Sinapis alba.

Not to be Confused With: Otfier Sinapis or Brassica species.

Artificial colorings such as butter yellow or turmeric may be

added.

Other Names: Mustard

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Glucosinolates: chiefly sinalbin (p-hydroxybenzylglucosino-

lates, 2.5%), grinding the seeds into powder and then

rubbing with warm water (not with hot water — enzymes

would be destroyed), as well as chewing, releases the non-

volatile mustard oil p-hydroxybenzyl isothiocyanate

Fatty oil (20-35%)

Proteins (40%)

Phenyl propane derivatives: including among others sina-

pine (choline ester of sinapic acid, 1.5%)

EFFECTS

The p-hydroxybenzyl mustard oil that results from fermenta-

tion of sinalbin is bacteriostatic, irritating to the skin and

hyperemic (as an additive in 35° to 40° C baths).