PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS ADONIS/5

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Steroid saponins (from the roots; the saponins from the

leaves remain uninvestigated): protoyuccoside C, yuccoside

B, yuccoside E, yuccoside C, aglycones including sarsapoge-

nin, tigogenin

EFFECTS

No information is available.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The plant is used for liver and gallbladder

disorders.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages. Intake can lead to stomach complaints because of

the saponin content.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Adam's Needle is available in

ground form and in extracts.

LITERATURE

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.

Adiantum capillus-veneris

See Maidenhair

Adonis

Adonis vemalis
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is derived from the
aerial parts of the herb, which are collected during the
flowering season and dried.
Flower and Fruit: The erect, solitary, terminal flower is 4 to
7 cm in diameter and the 5 broad-ovate, downy sepals are
half as long as the petals. The 10 to 20 petals are narrow,
wedge-shaped, simple or finely serrated at the tip. They are
20 to 40 mm long and lemon-yellow, splayed, glossy,
reddish on the outside or greenish-tinged. There are numer-
ous stamens and carpels. The small fruit forms a globose
capitulum. The fruit is tomentose, wrinkled, laterally veined
and keeled widi a sideways-facing, hook-shaped beak. The
fruit are arranged on the spindle-shaped, oblong receptacle.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is 10 to 40 cm high with a

sturdy, black-brown rhizome. The stem is erect, undivided,

covered with scales at the base, vertically grooved and

succulent. There are few branches. The leaves have many

slits and a curved, glabrous or sparsely haired tip. The

middle leaves are half-clasping.

Characteristics: Adonis is a poisonous plant.

Habitat: This Siberian/east European plant is found in the

north as far as the central Urals and southwest Sweden. In

central Europe, it is limited to the basins of the Weichsel and

the Oder as far as the Main and Rhine.

Production: The drug is gathered in forests and should be

dried quickly.

Not to be Confused With: Other Adonis species may be

added to Adonidis herba.

Other Names: False Hellebore, Yellow Pheasant's Eye, Ox-

eye, Sweet Vernal, Pheasant's Eye, Red Morocco, Rose-a-

Rubie

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Cardioactive steroid gylcosides (cardenolids): including

adonitoxin, k-strophanthoside, k-strophanthoside-{3 and

cymarin

Flavonoids: including vitexin and luteolin

EFFECTS

Adonis has a positive inotropic effect. Animal tests demon-

strated a tonic effect on the veins. The adonitoxin component

is slightly more toxic than coumarin.

The drug is insufficiently documented.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Arrhythmia


• Nervous heart complaints

Unproven Uses : The drug is used for mild impairment of

heart functions (NYHA I and II), especially when accompa-

nied by nervous symptoms. c

In Russian folk medicine, the drug is used for dehydration,

cramps, fever and menstrual disorders, but efficacy is

unproven.

Homeopathic Uses: Preparations of Adonis vemalis are used

for cardiac insufficiency.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Adonis is contraindicated in conjunction with digitalis

glycoside therapy and also in potassium deficiency.