PDR for Herbal Medicines

496/MANDRAKE PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

tion; parenteral physostigmine salts as antidote; diazepam for

spasms while monitoring respiratory function; catheter for

cystoparalysis.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: The drug is now obsolete and is

only rarely used In medicinal preparations. In homeopathy,

dilutions from the fresh herb are used.

LITERATURE

AI-Khali S, Alkofahi A, The chemical constituents of

Mandragora autumnalis. In: PM 62, Abstracts of the 44th Ann

Congress of GA, 149. 1996.

Frohne D, Pfander HJ, Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fur

Apotheker, Toxikologen und Biologen. 4. AufL. Wiss. Verlags-

Ges. Stuttgart 1997.

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.

Jackson BP, Berry MI, Hydroxytropane tigliates in the roots of

Mandragora species. In: PH 12(5): 1165-1166. 1973.

Kraft K, Europaische Rauschdrogen. In: ZPT 17(6):343-355.

1996.

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 Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
   Scholz E, Alraunenfruchte - ein biblisches Aphrodisiakum. In:
   ZPT 16(2): 109-110. 1995.
   Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
   Pharmakologie, 2. AufL, Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
   Wagner Hf^^esenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und
   pflanzliche HomoSpaffiika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Tena, New
   York 1995.

Manna
Fraxinus ornus
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the juice extracted
from the bark starting from the 8m to the 10th year. This tree
yields from its bark a sugary sap known in pharmacy as
Manna.
Flower and Fruit: The inflorescence is in upright, later
hanging, feathery panicles. The sepals are very short. The
petals are fused at the base in pairs. They are linear to
narrowly linguiform and white. The 2 stamens have very
long filaments. The fruit is a nutlet. It is hanging, linguiform,

3 to 4 mm long and 7 to 10 mm wide. It is rounded at the

base or narrowed wedge-shaped, glossy dark brown, flat and

longitudinally striped. The seeds are ovate, 15 to 20 mm by 4

to 5 mm, broad, flat, longitudinally striped and brown.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Fraxinus ornus is a tree growing up

to 8 m tall with gray, crust-embossed bark. The new-year's

branchlets are olive-green or browny gray-green, somewhat

glossy, with numerous, light-brown lenticels. The long

shoots are downy to the tip; the short shoots are awned at the

base. The terminal and lateral buds are orbicular and 4-

scaled. The leaflets are elliptical-ovate-lanceolate or ovate,

tapering to a tip and crenate-serrate. The upper surface is rich

green and the underside lighter green with pink veins. The

nerves are pink-tomentose.

Habitat: The tree is indigenous to southern Europe, extend-

ing to the southern borders of the Alps and as far as

European Turkey. The tree is cultivated in Italy.

Production: Manna consists of the dried sap generated from

the slit bark of trunk and branches of Fraxinus ornus, as well

as its preparations in effective dosage. The eight to ten year-

old trees are incised. The manna flows out of the bark and is

collected.

Other Names: Flowering Ash, Manna Ash, Flake Manna

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Alditols: Mannitol (70-90%)

Oligosaccharides: Stachyose, Mannotriose, Glucose, Fruc-

tose

EFFECTS

Manna acts as a laxative.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Constipation
  Unproven Uses: Manna is also used for ailments where an
  easier elimination and a soft stool is desirable, such as anal
  fissures, hemorrhoids, and post-rectal/anal surgery.
  CONTRAINDICATIONS
  The drug is not to be used in the presence of ileus.
  PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
  No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction
  with the proper administration of designated therapeutic
  dosages. Susceptible persons could experience flatulence and
  nausea.
  DOSAGE
  Mode of Administration: Comminuted herb and other galenic
  preparations for internal use.