PDR for Herbal Medicines

514/MERCURY HERB PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is an annual that grows 20

to 50 cm high. The stem is erect, cross-branched, obtuse,

quadrangular, glabrous and segmented. The leaves are

opposite, petiolate, ovate to lanceolate, light green and have

a ciliate margin.

Characteristics: The plant has an unpleasant smell when

rubbed. The whole plant has no latex.

Habitat: The plant grows in Europe and is naturalized in the

eastern U.S.

Production: Mercury Herb is the flowering herb of Mercuri-

alis annua.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Cyanogenic glycosides (small amounts)

Pyridone derivatives (that color the urine red): including

among others hermidin

Saponins (1%)

Amines: including among others, methyl amine (mercuria-

line), ethyl amine, propyl amine, isobutyl amine, isoamyl

amine

Flavonoids: including among others, rutin, narcissine,

isorhamnetin.

Nothing is known regarding the type of the toxins. The
cyanogenic glycosides are probably not responsible for the
toxicity.
EFFECTS
The drug is slightly poisonous, and it can lead to diarrhea
and an overactive bladder. The root and stock act as strong
laxatives. .... - •«*=*:. -
INDICATIONS ANOU^AGE"
Unproven Uses: The drug is used for suppurating inflamma-
tion, as a laxative and diuretic, and as an adjuvant in the
treatment of gastrointestinal and urinary tract diseases.
Homeopathic Uses: Mercury Herb is used for rheumatism
and colds.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
The fresh plant, in particular the root and the rhizome, are
considered poisonous. Symptoms of poisoning include
diarrhea, nerve paralysis, and liver and kidney damage.
Poisonings, including fatal ones, are only known among
animals. There are no reports available on the drug's toxicity
in humans. The intake of small doses would likely lead to
nothing more than diarrhea.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: The drug is administered ground, as
an extract, in juice and in homeopathic dilutions.

LITERATURE

Frohne D, Pfander HJ, Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fur

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

Ges. Stuttgart 1997.

Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischea Praxis, 4. AufL, Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

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.
   Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
   Pharmakologie, 2. AufL, Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.

Mexican Scammony Root

Ipomoea orizabensis

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried roots and

the steamed etfianol extract from the roots.

Flower and Fruit: The plant has reddish-purple, campanulate

flowers.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Mexican Scammony Root is a

twining plant with large cordate leaves. The root tuber is

about 18 to 25 cm long, 9 to 10 cm wide and cylindrical-

fusiform. It is grayish-brown to brownish-black and wrinkled

externally. Inside the section shows irregular concentric

rings and scattered resin glands, resembling jalap.

Characteristics: The taste is acrid and resinous. The odor is

slight.

Habitat: Mexico

Production: Mexican Scammony Root is the root extracted

from Ipomoea orizabensis. Both the root and the yielded

resin are effective as drugs.

Other Names: Ipomoea, Jalap, Mexican Jalap

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Glycoretines (12-15%, resinous): polymeric ester glycosides

made up of hydroxy- and dihydroxy fatty acids bonded in

ester-like fashion (including 11-hydroxy palmitic acid =

jalapinolic acid), on the hydroxyl groups of which oligosac-

charide remnants are bonded as glycosides. These bear in

turn short-chained acyl remnants (acetyl, isobutyryl, isovale-

ryl, and tigoyl remnants).