PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS NEW JERSEY TEA/541

Nepeta cataria

See Catnip

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Nerium oleander

See Oleander

Nerve Root

Cypripedium calceolus

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried rhizome

with the roots, the fresh underground parts harvested in

autumn and the fresh roots. The roots of several varieties are

used as a sedative and antispasmodic.

Flower and Fruit: The plant develops terminal inflores-
cences with 1 to 2 flowers that have leaf-like bracts. The
flowers are 4 to 9 cm long by 0.5 to 1 cm wide. They are
£- linear-lanceolate and twisted. The petals are green, green-
brown or yellow. The petals, including the protruding lip or
shoe, are splayed. The shoe is 3 to 4 cm long in the shape of
an inflated sack. It is lemon yellow to gold with purple spots
and veins. The pollen is powdery. The pollen seeds are in 4
groups. The ovary is single-valved and pubescent.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Nerve Root is a perennial, 15 to 70

cm high. The plant has a horizontal rootstock with scales and

thick root fibers. The stem is round with short hairs, and is

(x>vered'aTme"base with scaly brown leaves. There are 3 to 4

leaves above these, which are broad, elliptical/sheath-like,

folded and acute. The upper surface is bright green, the

underside is paler.

Characteristics: The plant has a faintly gentian-like smell

and has an irritating effect on the skin.

Habitat: Indigenous to the U.S. and Canada, cultivated in

Europe.

Production: Lady's Slipper rhizome is the rhizome of

Cypripedium calceolus.

Not to be Confused With: Other Cypripedium varieties

Other Names: Lady's Slipper, American Valerian, Bleeding

Heart, Moccasin Flower, Monkey Flower, Noah's Ark,

Slipper Root, Venus Shoe, Yellows

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil

Phenanthrene quinones: including cypripedine (2,8-dime-

thoxy-7-hydroxy-1,4-phenanthrene quinone

Tannins

EFFECTS

The constituents of the drug have not been investigated.

Some species of Cypripedium contain allergens and skin-

irritating phenanthrene quinones. Nerve Root is astringent

and hemostyptic. No additional information is available.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: In folk medicine, the drug is used for

insomnia, emotional tension, states of agitation, nervousness

and hysteria. It is also used internally in the treatment of

menorrhagia and diarrhea, as well as externally in the

treatment of pruritus vulvae.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-

tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded. The

plant possesses a medium potential for sensitization through

skin contact.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration:,The drug is administered in its dry

form or as liquid extract. The supply of higher (concentrated)

doses should be avoided.

Preparation: Liquid extract: 1:1 in 45% alcohol.

Daily Dosage: To be taken internally, 2 teaspoonfuls (2 to 4

gm) of the dried drug as an infusion.

LITERATURE

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.

Hausen B, Allergiepflanzen, Pflanzenallergene, ecomed

Verlagsgesellsch. mbH, Landsberg 1988.

Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Schmalle HW, Hausen BM, Naturwissenschaften: 66:527. 1979.

New Jersey Tea

Ceanothus americanus

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried leaves,

the dried root bark and the fresh leaves.

Flower and Fruit: The inflorescences grow in the axils of the

upper leaves and have long peduncles. They are 5 to 15 cm

long, panicled, and have numerous cyme-like partial inflo-