PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS MORNING GLORY 7 523

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

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

Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und

pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New

York 199S-

Morinda citrifolia

See Noni

Moringa oleifera

See Behen

Morning Glory

Impomoea hederacea

DESCRIPTION

41 Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the seeds and root.

Flower and Fruit: The flowering branches bear 1 to 5 radial

flowers with structures in fives. The 5 sepals are 1.3 to 2.5

cm long, narrow-lanceolate, acuminate and rough-haired at

the base. The 5 petals are 3.8 to 5 cm long, funnel-shaped,

spotted blue-pink or are fused at the base of the orange

corolla. The plant has 5 stamens and a superior 3-chambered

ovary. The fruit is a capsule with a diameter of approximate-

ly 8 mm containing 4 to 6 smooth seeds.

Leaves, Stem dndiRo6i: This winding herb grows 1 to 3 m

high. The leaves are alternate, ovate-cordate and entire, with

a diameter of 5 to 12.5 cm. The stem is slightly pubescent.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to China, India, and Central

and South America.

Production: Morning Glory seeds are the dried, ripe seeds of
Ipomoea hederacea. The plants are harvested in autumn
before the seeds open, then dried in the sun. The seeds are
fc then removed and cleaned.

Not to be Confused With: Morning Glory seeds are similar to

and sometimes confused with the seeds of other Ipomoea

species.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Indole alkaloids of the ergoline type (0.5%): chief alkaloids

lysergol (50%) and chanoclavine (35%). Smaller amounts of

penniclavine and elymoclavine

Fatty oil (12 to 14%): chief fatty acids oleic acid, palmitic

acid, stearic acid

Resins (15%): glycoretines (macromolecular, resinous glyco-

sides of hydroxy-fatty acids [CI2 to CI6]) with oligosaccha-

rides, the so-called pharbitinic acids; the latter's hydroxyl

groups are estered with (among others) alpha-methylbutyric

acid, tiglic acida and valeric acid to the fatty acid remnant

EFFECTS

The drug has a drastic laxative effect due to the glycoretines

it contains, which presumably explains its usefulness against

ascarid and tapeworm infestations.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Morning Glory has been used for worm

infestation and constipation.

Indian Medicine: Morning Glory is used for constipation,

flatulence, parasite infestation, scabies and dyspepsia. Ac-

cording to the Tschirch manual, the roots of Ipomoea species

have long been in use in India, and the drug also was used

extensively by the Persians and Arabs.

Chinese Medicine: Uses of Morning Glory include edema,

constipation, parasite infestation and feelings of fullness.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

The drug's laxative effect is frequently accompanied by

cramp-like pains.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Because of the possible teratogenic effect, the drug should

not be used during pregnancy.

DOSAGE ~*~

Mode of Administration: Whole, cut and powdered drug.

Preparation: Resin is made by heating the powdered drug

until it melts, then cooling it to form a pale translucent mass.

Daily dosage:

Drug — 0.5 to 3 g drug

Resin — daily dose: 0.3 g; maximum single dose: 0.1 g

Chinese Dosage:

Powder — 1.5 to 5 g drug, can be raised to 12 to 15 g

Tea — 24 to 30 g drug

Storage: Store in dry place.

LITERATURE

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.