450 /KOMBE SEED PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINESKombe Seed
Strophanthus hispidus
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part of the plant is the ripe
seed.
Flower and Fruit: The inflorescence is a many-blossomed,
umbelliferous raceme. The flowers are radial and their
structures are in fives. The sepals are 1.3 to 1 cm long and
0.1 to 1 cm wide. They are unevenly divided into five, the
outer tips ovate, the inner ones lanceolate and densely
pubescent. The corolla is tubular, with the upper part
broadened into a cup shape. The margin is covered with 10
scales, 1.1 to 2 cm long with a diameter of 0.8 to 1.7 cm. The
margin is white or yellow, with a purple spot in the shaft.
There are 5 stamens and a 2-chambered, semi-inferior ovary.
The fruit is a follicle, 24 to 48 cm long, 1.3 to 1.8 cm in
diameter, dark brown, hard, grooved and white punctate with
lenticles. The seeds are spindle-shaped, flat, 1 to 1.8 cm
long, 2 to 3 mm wide, densely pubescent with an upright, 4
to 8 cm long tuft of hair.Leaves, Stem and Root: Strophanthus hispidus is either a
liana, up to 100 m long, or a shrub, up to 5 m high. The
leaves are opposite. The petiole is 1 to 5 mm long, the
lamina 15 to 22 cm long and 8 to 12 cm wide. They are
simple, elliptical to obovate, acuminate, rounded at the base
or cordate. The trunk has a diameter of up to 6 m and has
dark gray bark. The branches are dark brown or almost
black. The young branches are stiffly villous and punctate
with lenticles.Characteristics: The plant contains latex.Habitat: West and Central Africa
Production: Brown Strophanthus seeds are the ripe seeds of
Strophanthus hispidus freed from the bushel-like appendage.
The seeds are first harvested after 3 years (first flowering).
Then the fruit is picked, and the seeds are removed.
Not to be Confused With: Often confused in the past with
Strophanthus kombe, S. sarmentosus and other Strophanthus
species. Can also be confused with Alafia, Futumia, Kickxia
and Holrrhena species.
Other Names: Arrow Poison
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Cardioactive steroid glycosides (cardenolids, 4 to 8%): chief
glycoside presumably k-strophanthoside (primary glycoside,
strophanthidin glucosyl cymaroside) from which cymarin
(strophantidin cymaroside) is formed through fermentation
of the seeds
Saponins (0.2%)
Fatty oil (30%): chief fatty acids oleic acid, linoleic acid,
palmitic acid and 9-hydroxy-deltal2-octadecenoic acid
EFFECTS
The action mechanism of the drug is dependent upon the
cardioactive cardenolide glycosides it contains (see S. kombe
semen and strophantine effects).
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Preparations of the herb have been used in
the past for cardiac complaints.
Homeopathic Uses: In homeopathy, preparations are used
for nervous cardiac complaints and cardiac insufficiency.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
General: No health hazards are known in conjunction with
the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages.
Drug Interactions: The simultaneous administration of
quinidine, calcium salts, saluretics, laxatives and glucocorti-
coids enhance effects and side effects. For symptoms of an
acute poisoning and treatment, see Digitalis folium.
OVERDOSAGE
Nausea, vomiting, headache, stupor and cardiac arrhythmias
could occur as side effects with parenteral administration of
glycoside mixtures of the drug, particularly with overdoses.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Communited drug, herb powder,
liquid preparations for internal use.
Homeopathic Dosage: (from D4) 5 drops, 1 tablet, 10
globules every to 30 to 60 minutes, maximum 12 times daily
(acute) and 1 to 3 times daily (chronic); parenterally: 1 to 2
ml sc, IV, IM, 3 times daily (acute) and once a day (chronic)
(HPUS88).
LITERATURE
Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Ed), Hagers
Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6
(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-
1994Kousso
Hagenia abyssinica
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the leaves, the
unripe fruit and the dried panicles of female flowers.
Flower and Fruit: The small flowers are large-branched,
thickly glandular-haired panicles up to 0.5 m long. They are
androgynous, male or female. The male flowers are greenish