HERBAL MONOGRAPHS DWARF ELDER/259EFFECTS
The active agents are the alkaloids jacobin, senecionin, and
otosenin These pyrrolizidine alkaloids are hepatotoxic and
carcinogenic.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Though no longer recommended, the plant
previously was administered for ailments of the eye, as an
emmenagogic, and in cataplasms and oral rinses.
Homeopathic Uses: In homeopathy, the juice is used to treat
eye-sight problems (for the treatment of spots before the
eyes), migraine, and as an emmenagogue.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
Dusty Miller should not be taken internally (except in
homeopathic dosages) because of the potential hepatotoxici-
ty and carcinogenicity of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids and the
1,2-unsaturated necic parent substances.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: The use of the sterilized juice is no
longer recommended for internal use, nor is any other
preparation of Dusty Miller.
LITERATURE
Adams R et ah, J Am Chem Soc 71:1953-1956. 1941.
Barger G et al., J Chem Soc:584. 1937.
Habib AM, PM 26:279. 1974.
Klasek A et al., Coll Czech Chem Comm 40:2524. 1975.
Nachmann RJ, PH 22:780-782. 1983.
Resch JF et al., PM 47:255. 1983.
Roder E, DAZ 132:2427. 1992.
Willaman JJ, Hui-Li L, (1970) Lloydia 33(3A):1.
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 (unter Senecio bicolor).
Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979 (unter
Cineraria maritima).
Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
Pharmakologie, 2. AufL, Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994 (unter
Senecio bicolor).Dwarf Elder
Sambucus ebulusDESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried leaves,
the ripe, dried or fresh fruit and the dried roots.
Flowers and Fruit: The reddish-white flowers are in a
terminal, umbrella-like, richly blossomed, paniculate cyme
with 3 main branches. The calyx margin is 5-tipped. The
corolla has fused petals and is rotate with 5 acuminate tips.
The 5, stamens have dark red anthers and an inferior, 3-
valved ovary with 3 stigmas. The fruit is a black, globular,
berry-like drupe with at least 3 to 4 ovate seeds. When ripe,
the fruit stems are erect and violet or crimson.Leaves, Stem and Root: Dwarf Elder is a perennial, herb-like
plant 0.5 to 2 m high with a sturdy, finger-thick, branched
rhizome that creeps deeply and horizontally. The stems are
leafy, erect, sturdy and branched above. They die off in
autumn. The leaves are crossed opposite, odd-pinate with 3
to 4 pairs of ovate-lanceolate leaflets and 2 large, ovate-
lanceolate, and serrate stipules.Characteristics: The fragrance is similar to that of sunflow-
ers or almond.Habitat: The plant is found from southern Sweden through-
out central and southern Europe, in northern Africa, in
western Asia as far as Iran, and in North America.Production: Dwarf Elder root is the root of Sambucus
ebulus, which is collected in the spring or late autumn and
then air-dried.Other Names: Dane wort, Wale wort, Blood Elder, Blood
HilderACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Iridoides: ebuloside, 6'-0-apiosyl-ebuloside, 7,7-0-dihydroe-
buloside, secoebuloside, isoswer-osideNauseant, purgative resins with unresolved structureEFFECTS
The drug is said to be a mild diuretic.INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Dwarf Elder is used in folk medicine as an
ingredient in different teas prepared to assist in weight
reduction and alleviate rheumatism. The drug also is used for
constipation and as an emetic and to treat edema and kidney
disease.PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
Healtii risks or side effects following the proper administra-
tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded.OVERDOSAGE
According to older scientific reports, large quantities of all
parts of the plant, (in particular the raw berries) leads to
vomiting, bloody diarrhea, cyanosis, dizziness, headache,
and unconsciousness. Cases of death are also mentioned.