386 /HEDGE-HYSSOP PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES
irritating to mucous membranes due to the cucurbitacin and
cucurbitacin glycosides content, out of which cucurbitacins
are released in watery environments.
OVERDOSAGE
The intake of toxic dosages leads to vomiting, bloody
diarrhea, colic, kidney irritation and initially to elevated
diuresis, then to anuria. Very high dosages lead to spasm,
paralysis and circulatory collapse. Fatalities are seen only
rarely. Following gastric lavage, the treatment for poisonings
should proceed symptomatically.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Hedge-Hyssop is most effective in
alcoholic extracts, but it.also is used in infusions and in
homeopathic dilutions. Today, it is rarely used in folk
medicine.
Daily Dosage: A single dose of tea is noted as containing
0.3 g drug.
Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet or 10 globules every
30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic);
parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc acute, 3 times daily; chronic: once
a day (HAB1).
LITERATURE
Bohinc P, Korbar-Smid J, Cicerov-Cergol M, Uber die
kardiotonischen Substanzen des Gnadenkrautes - Gratiola
officinalis. In: Sci Pharm 47:108-113. 1979.
Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der
Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag
Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.
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.
Muller A, Wichtl M, Herzwirsamkeit des Gnadenkrautes
(Gratiola officinalis). In: Pharm Ztg 124(37): 1761-1766. 1979.
Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,
- Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
Helianthemum canadense
See Frostwort
Helianthus annuus
See Sunflower
Helichrysum arenarium
See Immortelle
Helleborus niger
See Black Hellebore
Helleborus viridis
See Green Hellebore
Hemlock
Conium maculatum
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts of the plant are the
fresh flowering foliage, the branches and the dried leaves.
Flower and Fruit: The plant has white flowers in 10 to 20
rayed umbels. The 3 to 5 triangular to lanceolate bracts are
acuminate; 3 to 6 small bracts only on the outside of the
small umbels. The blossoms have 1.5 mm white petals. The
fruit is ovate with undulating veins. Deep indentations on the
mericarp on the seam side—with no oil marks in the
indentations—are a unique feature.
Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant can be annual or perennial;
it grows up to 2 m high. The stem is erect, tubular, hollow,
round and finely grooved. It is branched above, glabrous
with brownish-red marks below. The leaves are a glossy dark
green, 3-pinnate. The root is whitish and fusiform or
branched.
Characteristics: When wilting, the highly poisonous herb
smells of mice. It tastes disgustingly salty and pungent. The
stem has distinctive red marks.
Habitat: The plant is indigenous to Europe and the temperate
zones of Asia, North Africa, and North and South America.
Production: Hemlock is the fresh or dried leaves and the
flowering branch tips of Conium maculatum. They are
gathered from June to September in the second year of
grown and air-dried in a shaded, open location.
Not to be Confused With: Hemlock may be confused with
water hemlock, canine parsley, wild chervil and with
tuberous chervil.
Other Names: Cicuta, Poison Parsley, Poison Root, Poison
I Snakeweed, Spotted Crowbane, Spotted Hemlock, Spotted