PDR for Herbal Medicines

510/MATICO

Not to be Confused With: Confusion can occur widi Piper

aduncum.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil (0.3 to 6.0%): chief component dill apiol, as well

as asaltone, parsley apiol

Tannins

Sesquiterpene: maticin

EFFECTS

Use as a hemostyptic could possibly be a result of the tannin

content.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The hemostyptic effect of the leaves is used

externally for bleeding wounds and in the treatment of

ulcers. Internally, it is used for urogenital complaints

(primarily bacterial infections), atonic diarrhea and dysen-

tery. In Peru, Matico is considered to be an aphrodisiac. It

has also been used for minor wounds such as leech bites and

after tooth extraction.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper

administration of designated therapeutic dosages.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: The leaves are administered as

whole, cut and powdered forms for internal and external use.

Preparation: There is no information in the literature.

Daily Dosage:

Powder — 0.5 to 2 g drug, 3 to 4 times daily

Infusion — single dose: 1 g drug per cup; or 10% infusion:

taken 3 or 4 times daily.

LITERATURE. ,.*<-" *r ~

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-

1994.

Matricaria Recutita

See German Chamomile

Mayapple

Podophyllum peltatum

DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried rhizome
and the resin extracted from it.

PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Flower and Fruit: The solitary white flowers are located in

the stem bifurcation between 2 leaves. When the flower

drops, the developing fruit swells to me size and shape of a

2.5 to 5 cm long rosehip. It is yellow and fleshy.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a perennial reaching a

height of 40 cm. It has a bifurcated, 45 cm high stem and

deeply indented, umbrella-like, hand-sized leaves. The

rhizome is reddish-brown and is 0.5 cm in diameter.

Depending on the time of harvesting, the surface of the

rhizome may be smooth or wrinkled. Nodes occur at

intervals of 3 to 5 cm, and the fracture is whitish.

Characteristics: The odor is unpleasant and acrid.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to northeast North America.

Production: Mayapple rhizome consists of the dried rhizome

and connected roots of Podophyllum peltatum. Mayapple

resin consists of the resin of the dried and aged rhizome of

Podophyllum peltatum.

Not to be Confused With: Mayapple should not be confused

with English Mandrake or Bryonia dioica.

Other Names: Duck's Foot, Ground Lemon, Hog Apple,

Indian Apple, Mandrake, Raccoon Berry, Wild Lemon

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS: IN THE ROOT

Podophyllin: mixture of ethanol-soluble extractive material

from the root

Lignans: chief components podophyllotoxin (20%), includ-

ing as well, alpha-peltatin (5%), beta-peltatin (10%), 4'-

dimethyl podophyllotoxin, dioxypodophyllotoxin

EFFECTS

The drug is antimitotic.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

M Warts

Preparations of Mayapple are used externally for removal of

pointed condyloma. The treated skin surface must not be

larger than 25 sq. cm. Be sure to protect skin adjacent to the

treated area.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

The drug is contraindicated in pregnancy.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

General: The drug is severely irritating to skin and mucous

membranes. External administration of the drug over large

skin areas can also bring about resorptive poisonings. The

drug should not be taken internally in allophathic medicine.

With external use, die skin area to be treated should not

exceed 25 sq. cm. The drug serves as an industrial drug for