540/NEEMRojatkar SR et al., l-Tigloyl-3-acteyl-ll-hydroxy-4j5-
methylmeliacarpin from Azadirachta indica. In: PH 32:213.
1993.
Rucker G, Malariawirksame Verbindungen aus Pflanzen,
insbesondere Peroxide. In: PUZ 24(4): 189-195. 1995.
Siidiqui S et al., JNP 55:303-310. 1992.
Further information in:
Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers
Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6
(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg. New York, 1992-
1994.
Kern W, List PH, Hdrhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der
Pharmazeutischen 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.
Oliver-Bever B (Ed.), Medicinal Plants of Tropical West Africa,
Cambridge University Press Cambridge, London 1986.Nelumbo nucifera
See LotusNepalese Cardamom
Amomum aromaticum
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: ^Jhe^medicinal parts of the giant are the
bark and fruit.
Flower and Fruit: The flowers are arranged in globose, 4 cm
long spikes with single flowers in the axils of the scale-like,
stem-clasping bracts. The inner flower bracts are elongate,
ribbed and thorn-tipped. The flowers are pale yellow with a
tubular, 3-toothed calyx. The corolla petals are tubular. The
flower tube is approximately, 2.5 cm long. The petals are 2.5
cm long, lanceolate, blunt and somewhat cap-shaped. The lip
is twice as long as the petals. The lip is round with a
cuneiform base and single stamen. The fruit is 3-chambered
and narrow ovoid in shape. It is approximately 3 cm long
and has numerous 3 mm long seeds in each chamber.Leaves, Stem and Root: Amomum aromaticum is a herba-
ceous perennial, which grows up to 1 m high. The leaves are
lanceolate, up to 25 cm long and 6 cm wide. They are
pubescent beneath, with a 2 mm long ligule. The rhizome is
up to 5 m long with shoots growing in clusters from it.
PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINESHabitat: IndiaProduction: The ripe fruit is harvested in autumn and dried
in the sun at low temperatures. Nepalese cardamoms are the
dried, ripe fruit of Amomum aromaticum.Not to be Confused With: Amomum aromaticum may be
confused with Amomum subulatum.ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Volatile oil (1%): chief constituent 1.8-cineole, including as
well, alpha- and beta-pinene, limonene, myrcene, terpinene,
p-cymol, terpineol, nerolidol, lH-indene-2,3-dihydro-5-car-
boxyl aldehydeEFFECTS
The efficacy of the drug in the context of folk medicine is
believed to be traceable to the cineole contained in the
essential oil, although scientific data regarding this are not
available.INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Chinese Medicine: Nepalese cardamom is used for malaria,
diarrhea, vomiting and digestive disturbances.PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper
administration of designated therapeutic dosages.OVERDOSAGE
Overdoses of the essential oil can lead to life-threatening
poisoning, due to the high levels of cineole. Symptoms
include reduced blood pressure, circulatory disorders, circu-
lary collapse and asphyxiation. Vomiting is not to be induced
in the case of poisoning, due to the danger of aspiration.Following instillation of activated charcoal, the therapy for
poisoning consists of the treatment of spasms with diazepam,
of colic with atropine, electrolyte substitution and the
countering of any acidosis that may appear with sodium
bicarbonate infusions. Intubation and oxygen respiration may
also be required.DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Whole herb, cut drug and liquid
preparations for internal use.Daily Dosage: As decoction 3-6 gm.Storage: Should be protected from light and moisture.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.