PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS MASTERWORT/507

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The drug is used as a diuretic and in the

treatment of dysmenorrhea. It is used externally for ulcers.

Homeopathic Uses: All the above uses are also employed in

homeopathic medicine.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Martagon is available as cut drug

for internal use in infusions and external use in poultices.

Homeopathic dilutions are also available.

LITERATURE

Satou T, Mimaki Y, Kuroda M, Sashida Y, Hatakeyama Y, A

pyrroline glucoside ester and steroidal saponins from Lilium

martagon. Phytochemistry, 41:1225-30, 1996 Mar.

Masterwort

Peucedanum ostruthium

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the dried root.

Flower and Fnut: The white flowers form many-blossomed

compound umbels. There is no involucre. The epicalyx has

only a few leaves. The calyx is indistinct The petals have

indented, pointed tips.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant grows from 50 to 100 cm

high. X^rhj.zome is gray-brown and produces runners. The

stem is rounds sirghtiy grooved and glabrous. The basal

leaves are doubly trifoliate. The leaflets are ovate to oblong,

about 4 cm wide, roughly serrate and pale green beneath.

The lateral leaflets are dipinnate. The terminal leaflet is

tripinnate. The cauline leaves are small with a bulbous,

membranous sheath.

Characteristics: Masterwort has an aromatic-bitter taste.

Habitat: The plant grows in central Europe.

Production: Masterwort rootstock is the rhizome of Peuceda-

num ostruthium. The thickened rhizomes are harvested.

These are dug up in autumn or spring, then cleaned, freed

from any root or green residue, cut and dried at a

temperature of 35° C.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Volatile oil: chief components alpha-pinene, (+)-phellan-
drene, (+)-limonene, esters of isobutyric and isovaleric acid

Furocoumarins: in particular imperatorin, oxypeucedanin,

osthrutol gamma-chromones: peucenine

Phthalides

Polyynes

EFFECTS

Masterwort is said to be stomachic and to have a mild

sedative effect. Its main action is as a diuretic.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Masterwort is used for bloating, flatulence,

Roemheld syndrome, digestive disorders, weak stomach and

intestinal catarrh.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

General: No health hazards or side effects are known in

conjunction with the proper administration of designated

therapeutic dosages. Light-skinned individuals may experi-

ence an increase in UV-sensitivity, due to the phototoxic

effect of the furocoumarins.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Masterwort is obsolete as a drug in

German-speaking countries. It is occasionally used as a

constituent in medicinal preparations in combination with

other bitters. It is administered as a powder or as an infusion.

Preparation: To prepare an infusion, use a cold extraction of

1 teaspoonful of the drug over a period of 8 hours.

Daily Dosage:

Infusion — Can be drunk throughout the day.

Powder — 0.5 gm to 2 gm can be taken 2 to 3 times daily.

Storage: Store in a dry place, in closed containers.

LITERATURE

Gijbels MJM et al., (1985) Fitoterapia 61(1):17.

Hegnauer R, Chemotaxonomie der Pflanzen, Bde 1-11,

Birkhauser Verlag Basel, Boston, Berlin 1962-1997.

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.

Schimmer O et al., (1980) Planta Med 40(1):68.

Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,

Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.