826 /WOOD BETONY PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINEScontained in combination preparations as a sedative and for
the treatment of neuralgia and anxiety. In folk medicine, it is
used as an antidiarrheal agent, a carmative, and a sedative,
and for catarrh, lung catarrh, heartburn, gout, nervousness,
bladder and kidney stones, and inflammation of the bladder.Homeopathic Uses: Betonica officinalis is used in homeopa-
thy for asthma and general states of debility.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: The herb is used topically, as an
extract and an infusion. The fresh leaves are also used.Daily Dosage: The infusion can be taken daily. The total
daily dosage of the powder is 1 to 2 gm, to be taken in 3
separate doses. The fresh leaves may be boiled and used for
wounds and swelling.LITERATURE
Hoppe HA, (1975-1987) Drogenkunde. 8. Aufl., Bde 1-3. W.
de Gruyter Verlag, Berlin, New York.
Kern W, List PH. Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der
Pharmazeutischen Praxis. 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag
Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.
Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.Wood Sage
Teucrium scorodonia
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the herb, the fresh
aerial parts of the flowering plant and the whole flowering
plant.Flower and Fruit: The flowers are approximately 1 cm long,
pale yellow o.r greenish-yellow. They are solitary or in pairs
on short pedicles in one-side-inclined, terminal racemes. The
calyx of the labiate flower is tubular-campanulate and
bilabiate with an undivided upper and a 4-tipped lower lip.
The stamens are pubescent and the anthers are violet. The
nutlet is round, about 2mm long, and almost smooth.
Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is erect, 30 to 60 cm high
and has far-reaching runners. The stem is erect, paniculate-
branched above, quadrangular and soft-pubescent. The
leaves are petiolate, opposite, wrinkled, ovate or oblong,
unevenly crenate and have a shallowly cordate base.
Characteristics: The plant smells faintly of leeks when being
dried.
Habitat: The plant is common to large parts of western and
central Europe including the Mediterranean region. It is
rarely found in eastern Europe and Scandinavia but it has
naturalized there.
Production: Wood Sage is the aerial part of Teucrium
scorodonia.
Other Names: Ambroise, Garlic Sage, Hind Heal, Large-
Leaved Germander
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Volatile oil (0.3%): containing among others, alloaromaden-
drene, aristolene, beta-caryophyllene, alpha-caryophyllene
(humulene), spathulenone, caryophyllene epoxide
IriUoide monoterpenes: including among others, acetyl
harpagide, reptoside
Diterpenes: the spectrum varies greatly according to strain,
including among others teuscorodal, teuscorodin, teuscoro-
dol, teuscorodonin, teuflin, teuscorolide, teupolin I
Flavonoids: including among others, cirsiliol, cirsimaritin,
luteolin
EFFECTS
The expectorant effect attributed to the drug may be due to
the amaroids and the essential oil. See other Teucrium
species for the toxic effect.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Wood Sage is used for the treatment of
tuberculosis, chronic bronchial catarrh, inflammation of
mucous membranes of the nose and throat, spasms, hyper-
tension, wounds and liver disorders.
Homeopathic Uses: The herb is used for chronic inflamma-
tion of the respiratory tract.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction
with the proper administration of designated therapeutic
dosages. c
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Wood Sage is obsolete as a drug in
most countries, but it can be found as cut drug in capsules
and drops.
Preparation: To treat bronchitis, a tea is made using 2
teaspoons of herb per cup.
LITERATURE
Bruno M et al., (1985) Phytochemistry 24(11):2597.
Fikenscher LH, Hegnauer R, Plant Med Phytother 3(3): 183.