PDR for Herbal Medicines

816/WILD THYME PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

herbs efficacy for treating conditions of the upper respiratory

tract is due to the presence of the aromatic and spicy

smelling essential oil.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

m Cough

• Bronchitis

Unproven Uses: The herb is used internally for catarrhs of

the upper respiratory tract, kidney and bladder disorders, and

as a stomachic, carminative, and expectorant. It is also used

internally for dysmenorrhea, colic-like pain, and whooping

cough. The herb is used externally in herbal cures, baths

(especially for respiratory tract conditions), and alcoholic

extracts, as well as in embrocations for rheumatic disorders

and sprains.

Chinese Medicine: The herb is used for vomiting, diarrhea,

flatulence, coughs, toothache, itching and general pain

syndrome.

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: Wild Thyme is administered as a

comminuted drug for infusions, teas, and other preparations

internally. The drug is a component of various standardized

preparations of antitussives. Alcoholic extracts of the herb

are contained in cough drops.

Preparation: To make an infusion, pour boiling water over

1.5 to 2 gm finely cut drug, steep for 10 minutes, then strain

(1 teaspoonful = 1.4 gm drug). For a liquid extract, use a

ratio of 1:1 with either 45% ethanol or 20% ethanol. For a

tincture, use a ratio of 1:10 with 70% ethanol. To make a

bath, add 1 gm drug (or equivalent of 0.004 gm Wild Thyme

oil) to 1 liter water, filter, then add to bath water.

Daily Dosage: The average daily dosage is 4 to 6 gm of

herb. As a stomachic, drink one cup of tea before meals.

Other daily dosages are as follows: powder: take 2 gm drug

mixed with honey; infusion: single dose, 0.6 to 4 gm, 2 to 3

cups per day; liquid extract: single dose, 0.4 to 4 ml 3 times

daily; liquid extract: daily dose, 5 to 15 gm (1 gm or 30

drops).

Storage: Protect from light.

LITERATURE
Adzet T et al., PM, Suppl. 1980:52. 1980.

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.

Langer R et al., Sci Pharm 63:325. 1995.

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

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer

Verlag Heidelberg 1992.

Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

Stuttgart 1997.

Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

Stuttgart 1997.

Wild Turnip

Brassica rapa

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part of the plant is the root.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are in racemes. There are 4

almost horizontally splayed sepals. The 4 petals are yellow,

11 to 14 mm long, approximately 1.5 times as long as the

calyx, with an orbicular-elliptical plate. There are 2 short and

4 long stamens. The 4-carpeled ovary is superior and fused.

The fruit is a 4.5 to 6.5 cm long, dehiscent pod opening on 2

sides, with a septum and 15 to 25 seeds. The seeds are

globose and reticulate with a diameter of approximately 1.5

to 3 mm.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Turnip is an annual or biennial herb,

and grows up to 0.8 m high. The leaves are alternate, grass-

green, with a slight bluish bloom and always bristly

pubescent. The lower ones are petiolate, pinnatisect with a

not-very-large terminal lobe; the middle arid upper ones are

sessile, simple, dentate or entire. The stem of the larger

plants is branched. The root is thin and spindle-shaped.

Habitat: Europe, North Africa, U.S.

Production: The seeds are cold-pressed and then refined.

Rapeseed oil is the cold-pressed and refined oil from the ripe

seeds of Brassica napus and Brassica rapa.

Other Names: Field Mustard, Oilseed Turnip, Turnip Rape,

Turnip Greens, Chinese Cabbage

Not to be Confused With: Rapeseed oil may be adulterated

with resins and mineral oil. Sinapis arvensis is a permitted

substitute.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Fatty oil: chief fatty acids: oleic acid (45 to 65%), linoleic

acid (18 to 32%), linolenic acid (10%), including as well

palmitic acid, stearic acid, eicosanoic acid, behenic acid;