PDR for Herbal Medicines

842/NEW JERSEY TEA PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

rescences. The flowers are white, the petals are 2 to 3 mm

long and twice as long as the sepals. The fruit is a globose

capsule with a diameter of about 7 mm.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Ceanothus americanus is a low

deciduous shrub 40 to 100 cm high with greenish-purple

branches. The petioled leaves are alternate, 3 to 10 cm long

by 1.5 to 5 cm wide, ovate or oblong-ovate, rounded at the

base, lightly pointed at the tip, and with pinnatifid nerves.

The upper surface is glabrous or has finely compressed silky

hairs. The lower surface is densely gray and pubescent. The

leaf blade is finely and irregularly serrated. The root is

tough, woody, dark brown, and striated or finely wrinkled

longitudinally. The bark is thin, brittle and dark brown.

Characteristics: The taste is astringent; odorless.

Habitat: Indigenous to eastern and central North America. It

is also used for breeding garden hybrids.

Production: Red Root is the root of Ceanothus americanus.

The shrub is cultivated.

Other Names: Red Root, Wild Snowball, Jersey Tea,

Mountain-Sweet, Walpole Tea, Redroot

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Cyclic peptide alkaloids (0.16% in the root cortex): includ-

ing ceanothines A to E, americine, adouetines X and Y

cyclic peptines

Triterpenes: including ceanothusic acid, ceanothenic acid,

and betulic acid

EFFECTS

The taiwjjas Jhave an astringent effect. In blood taken from

young rats, .an~aq«eoas-ethanol extract of the drug reduced

blood-clotting time by 25%. However, the results are

difficult to assess. The hemostyptic effect is attributed to the

acid fraction of the drug. The drug is still useful as an

astringent, expectorant and antispasmodic. There is no valid

data on the expectorant and antispasmodic effect.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Formerly, New Jersey Tea was used as an

astringent, in the clotting of the blood, for fever, gonorrhea,

syphilis, and for colds and chills, especially of the respiratory

organs.

Homeopathic Uses: In homeopathy, Ceanothus americanus

is used to treat enlarged spleen.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction
with the proper administration of designated therapeutic
dosages.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Orally as a liquid extract.

Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet or 10 globules every

30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic);

parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc 3 times daily (HAB1).

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.

Lagarias JC et al., (1979) J Nat Prod 42:220 et 663

Mayo de P, Starratt AN, Canad J Chem 40:1632-1641. 1962.

Servis RE et al., J Am Chem Soc 91:5619-5624. 1969.

Niauli

Melaleucaea viridiflora

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the young or

shrubby plants and the oil, which is distilled from the fresh

leaves and twigs.

Flower and Fruit: The plant grows up to 15 m.

Characteristics: The presence of traces of copper in the

Niauli oil make it slightly greenish. The aromatic odor is

reminiscent of camphor.

Habitat: The plant grows in tropical parts of southeast Asia

and Australia. -?-

Production: Niauli oil consists of the essential oil from the

leaves of Melaleucaea viridiflora, obtained by water

distillation.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Chief components: 1,8-cineole (up to 40%), viridiflorol (up

to 25%), nerolidol (up to 95%), linalool (up to 30%), (+)-

alpha-terpineol and (-)-alpha-terpineol as well as their valeric

acid esters, alpha-pinene, limonene

EFFECTS

The drug is antibacterial and stimulates circulation.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Cough/bronchitis

Unproven Uses: Niauli is used for catarrhs of the upper

respiratory tract, rheumatism, neuralgia, cystitis.