PDR for Herbal Medicines

236 /CUBEB PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Homeopathic Uses: Piper cubeba is used for inflammation of

the mucous membrane of the urogenital tract.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-

tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded.

OVERDOSAGE

High dosages (over 8 gm) cause irritation of the urinary

passages, kidney and bladder pains, albuminuria and urina-

tion problems. Beyond this, vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac pain

and skin rashes can occur. After stomach and intestinal

emptying, treatment of poisonings should proceed

symptomatically.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Cubeb is contained in medicinal

preparations, such as bath additives.

Daily Dosage:

Powder — 2 to 4 g daily for internal administration

Extract (1:1) — daily dose: 2 to 4 ml

Tincture (1:5) — daily dose: 2 to 4 ml

Homeopathic Dosage: 5 to 10 drops, 1 tablet or 5 to 10

globules 1 to 3 times a day or 1 ml injection solution sc twice

weekly (HAB1); children's dosage does not equal adult dose.

LITERATURE

Batterbee, J E et al., (1969) J Chem Soc (c), 2470.

Ikeda RM, (1962) J Food Sci 27:455.

Koul SK et al., Phenylpropanoids and (-)-ledol from Piper

species. In: PH 32:478. 1993.

Lawrence BM, Perfum Flavor 5:28. 1980.

Ohta Y et al., (1966) Tetrahedron Letters 52:6365.

Opdyke DU, (1976) Food Cosmet Toxicol 14.

Prabhu BR, Mulchandani. NB, (1985) Phytochemistry 24 (2),

329.

Further information in:

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.

Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used

in Food Drugs and Cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New

York 1980.

Lewin L, Gifte und Vergiftungen, 6. Aufl., Nachdruck, Haug

Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.

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

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlaa Landsberg Lech 1993.

Cucurbita pepo

See Pumpkin

Cudweed

Gnaphalium uliginosum

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The aerial parts are the medicinal parts of

the plant.

Flower and Fruit: The composite flower heads are 3 to 4

mm by 5 mm, sessile and in terminal racemes of 3 to 10.

They are shorter than the leaves growing from the leaf axil.

The involucral bracts are oblong to linear and brownish.

There are 50 to 150 female florets, 5 to 8 hermaphrodite

florets. The achaene is 0.5 mm oblong-cylindrical. The

pappus is 1.5 mm.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The stems are 5 to 20 cm high and

branched. The leaves are 10 to 50 mm by 2 to 5 mm, linear-

lanceolate to oblong-obovate. They are downy and greenish

above; whitish and even more downy beneath.

Habitat: The plant is native to many parts of Europe, the

Caucasus and west Asia. It has been introduced into

America.

Production: Cudweed is the aerial part of Gnaphalium

uliginosum.

Other Names: Cotton Weed, Dysentery Weed, Everlasting,

Mouse Ear, Wartwort, Cotton Dawes

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil

Tannins

The constituents of the drug have not been extensively

investigated.

EFFECTS

Cudweed is an astringent and a stomachic. According to

unconfirmed sources, the drug also has antidepressive,

aphrodisiac and hypotensive effects.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The drug is used as a gargle and rinse in the

treatment of diseases of the mouth and throat.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-

tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded.