PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS AFRICAN POTATO/7

Flower and Fruit: The tubers are blackish and ,top-shaped,

with bristly remains of former leaves. The plant is sometimes

connected in twos or threes by narrow underground stems.

The transverse section is pale, showing a central column

with darker vascular bundles. -

Characteristics: Adrue has an aromatic odor and a bitter

taste, reminiscent of Lavender.

Habitat: Turkey, region of the river Nile, Jamaica.

Production: Adrue root is the root of Cyperus articulatus.

The roots are collected in the autumn, scalded or steamed,

and then dried in the sun.

Other Names: Guinea Rush

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil: containing above all sesquiterpene hydrocarbons

and sesqiterpene alcohols, including cyperenone

EFFECTS

Adrue has anti-emetic, carminative and sedative properties.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Preparations of the root are used for

digestive disorders, nausea and flatulence.

Chinese Medicine: Used for pre- and post-natal headaches,

epigastric pain, vomiting with bleeding, hematuria, leucor-

rhea, menstrual irregularities, tension and pain in the breasts

and amenorrhea.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-

tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Available as a liquid extract for

internal use.

Daily Dosage: 6 to 9 gm of drug

Storage: Should be stored in a cool and dry place, protected

from insects.

LITERATURE

Bum EN et al., Extracts from rhizomes of Cyperus articulatus

displace 3H CGP39653 and 3H glycine binding from cortical

membranes and selectively inhibit NMDA receptor-mediated

neurotransmission. J Ethnopharmacol, 54:103-11, 1996 Nov

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

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

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Mongelli E, Desmarchelier C, Coussio J, Ciccia G,
Antimicrobial activity and interaction with DNA of medicinal

plants from the Peruvian Amazon region. Rev Argent

Microbiol, 27:199-203. 1995 Oct-Dec

Pinder AR, (1976) Tetrahedron 23:2172.

Aegle marmelos

See Bael

Aegopodium podagraria

See Goutweed

Aesculus hippocastanum

See Horse Chestnut

Aethusa cynapium

See Fool's Parsley

Aframomum melegueta

See Grains-ojc-Paradise

African Potato

Hypoxis rooperi

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the plant's rhizome

tuber.

Flower and Fruit: Four to 10 flowers are arranged in

racemes on a long peduncle; the pedicles are 1.2 to 2.5 cm

long. The 6 tepals are approximately 18 mm long, elongate,

free and yellow. There are 6 stamens, and the ovary is

inferior, 3-chambered, top-shaped and thickly pubescent.

The fruit is a densely pubescent capsule approximately 12

mm long and split in the middle. The seeds are black and

warty.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a herbaceous perennial

with 12 to 18 leaves that are 30 to 60 cm long, 2.4 to 4 cm

wide, lanceolate, acuminate, firm with a ciliate margin and

short hairs underneath. The leaves grow from a globose