HERBAL MONOGRAPHS MEADOWSWEET /511the extraction of podophyllotoxin and its semi-synthetic
derivatives that are used in tumor therapy.
Use in Pregnancy: The drug is contraindicated in pregnancy.
OVERDOSAGE
In dosages over 0.2 gm, it causes severe abdominal pain,
bloody-watery diarrhea, vomiting of liquid bile, dizziness,
headache, coordination disorders, spasms, nephritis, later
collapse and death in coma through respiratory failure.Following gastrointestinal emptying (inducement of vomit-
ing, gastric lavage with burgundy-colored potassium per-
manganate solution, sodium sulfate) and instillation of
activated charcoal, the therapy for poisonings consists of
treating spasms with diazepam (i.v.), electrolyte substitution
and treating possible cases of acidosis with sodium bicarbon-
ate infusions. In case of shock, plasma volume expanders
should be used. Monitoring of kidney function is essential.
Intubation and oxygen respiration may also be necessary.DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: The dried rhizome is used for
production of resin exclusively for external application.
Daily Dosage: The daily dosage is 1.5 to 3.0 gm root, 1.5 to
3.0 gm liquid extract or 2.5 to 7.5 gm tincture.
LITERATURE
Anonym, Dermatologie: Gemeine Warze, Flachwarze und spitze
Feigwarze. In: DAZ B4(22):2059. 1994.
Auterhoff H, May O, (1958) Planta Med 6:240.
Chatterjee R, (1952) Econ Bot 6:342.
Dewick P et al., (1982) Phytochemistry 20:2277.
Enzell CR, Wahlberg I, Aaasen AI, Fortschr Chem Org
NaturStSfle 34:1. 1977.
Franz G, Biogene Cytostatica. In: DAZ I3t)(35):f003. 1990.
Hartwell JL, Detly WE, (1950) J Am. Chem Soc 72:246.
Jardine I, In: Anticancer Agents Based on Natural Product
Models, Ed. Cassady JM, Douros JD., Academic Press 1980.
MacRae WD, Towers GHN, Biological activities of lignans. In:
PH 23(6): 1207-1220. 1984.
Stoll A et a!., (1954) J Am Chem Soc 76:5004, 6431.
Stoll A et al., (1955) J Am. Chem Soc 77:1710.
Wartburg A et al., (1957) Helv Chim. Acta 40:1331.
Further information in:
Frohne D, Pfander HJ, Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fur
Apotheker, Toxikologen und Biologen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlags-
Ges. Stuttgart 1997.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,- Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
Schulz R, Hansel R, Rationale Phytotherapie, Springer Verlag
Heidelberg 1996.
Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl.. Wiss. Verlagsges.
Stuttgart 1997.
Maytenus ilicifolia
See Congorosa
Meadowsweet
Filipendula ulmaria
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried flowers,
the dried aerial parts ~6f the flowering plant, and the fresh
underground and aerial parts of the flowering plant.
Flower and Fruit: The radial flowers are in terminal
compound, loose cymes arranged with erect, very irregular
branches. The 5 to 6 free sepals are triangular, pointed, 1 mm
long, downy on the outside and fused to the flat receptacle at
the base. The 5 to 6 petals are obviate, narrowed to a short
stem, yellowish white and 2 to 5 mm long. The ovaries are
glabrous or downy and have a flattened-stigma-bearing style
under 1 mm. The one-seeded indehiscent fruit twine in a
spiral.
Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is perennial and grows to
about 50 to 200 cm high. The stem is erect, simple or
branched above, woody below, angular, usually glabrous or
occasionally tomentose. The leaves are alternate, long-
petioled to almost sessile, irregularly odd-pinnate with paired
opposite pinna. These are ovate, rounded at the base or short-
wedge-shaped, double serrate to dentate. The pinna is dark
green and usually glabrous above and gray to white
tomentose beneath and only pubescent on the ribs.
Characteristics: The leaves smell very different from the
flowers, having a pleasant, almond-like fragrance.
Habitat: The plant is found in northern and southern Europe,
North America and northern Asia.
Production: Meadowsweet flower consists of the dried
flower of Filipendula ulmaria (syn. Spiraea ulmaria), as well
as its preparations. Meadowsweet herb consists of the dried