PDR for Herbal Medicines

468 /LESSER GALANGAL PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Gingerole: phenyl alkanones, pungent substances

Starch

Tannin

Flavonoids: including galangin, galangin-3-methylether,

kaempferide

EFFECTS

The plant is said to have antispasmodic, antiphlogistic and

antibacterial properties.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Dyspeptic complaints


• Loss of appetite
  Unproven Uses: Folk medicine uses include painful upper
  abdominal syndrome of the Roemheld complex type, slugg-
  ish digestion, and for liver and gallbladder complaints.
  Additional uses include fevers and colds, cough/bronchitis,
  tendency for infections, and inflammation of the mouth and
  pharynx.

Chinese Medicine: The drug is used for pain, particularly
stomach pain.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-
tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not reported.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Comminuted drug and powder, as
well as other galenic preparations for oral administration.
Preparation: Infusion - Pour boiling water over 0.5 to 1 g
drug and strain after 10 minutes.
Daily Dosages^lno 4r g. The infusion dosage-is 1 cup 30
minutes before' meals.
LITERATURE
Collins KR, Pat EP 25649 (1981) Europe.
De Pooler HL, et al., PH 24:93. 1985.
Haraguchi H, et al., Antifungal activity from Alpinia galanga
and the competition for incorporation of unsaturated fatty acids
in cell growth. In: PM 62(4):308-313. 1996.
Haraguchi H, et al., PM 62:308. 1996.
Itokawa H, et al., (1987) Planta Med 53(1 ):32.
Mitsui S, et al., (1976) Chem Pharm Bull 24:2377.
Further information in:
Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Vol. 1. 2nd Ed.,
CRC Press, 1975.

Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der
Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag
Berlin, Heidelberg, New York. 1969.

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

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer

Verlag Heidelberg 1992.

Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

mbH Stuttgart 1997.

Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen. 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

Stuttgart 1997.

Levant Cotton

Gossypium herbacewn

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the root bark, the

fresh inner-root bark and the seeds.

Flower and Fruit: The yellow flowers have a dark red spot at

the base of the petals. The calyx is 2 to 2.5 cm long. The

bracts are broadly deltate-ovate to semicircular, usually at

least as wide as long. Their margins have 6 to 8 acute or

shortly acuminate teeth, usually less than 3 times as long as

wide. The fruit is beak-shaped, terminally rounded, up to 18

mm long, with 3 to 4 chambers. The seeds, which are

embedded in the hairs, are square with gray pubescense.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Gossypium herbaceum is an

evergreen shrub 2 m high and 1 to 1.5 m wide. The few

branches are glabrous to sparsely haired and foliated. The

leaves are broadly cordate, coriaceous, reticulate, pubescent

with undulate margins. They have a short tip and narrow

base.

Habitat: The variety is indigenous to Asia and Africa. Today

it is mainly cultivated in Egypt, China, India, Anatolia and

the southern U.S.

Other Names: Cotton Root, Cotton

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil (traces): including with beta-bisabolol

Resinous substance: containing, among others, salicylic acid

and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid

Dimeric sesquiterpenes: (+)-gossypol, (+) -gossypol, p-hem-

igossypol in some strains presumably in very low quantities)

The drug has not been investigated in recent times.

EFFECTS

A histamine-releasing effect has been observed in vitro, in

the lung tissue of pigs. The drug also appears to have

emmenagogic, oxytocic and contraceptive (male) effects, but

constituents have not yet been sufficiently investigated. The