PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS

flattened and vertically branched. The smaller branches are

the same color on both sides.

Habitat: China, Korea, Afghanistan, Iran

Production: Oriental Aborvitae tops are the dried leaves and

leafy branches of Thuja orientalis. They are harvested from

cultivated stock in late summer or early autumn, followed by

drying in the shade.

Not to be Confused With: May be confused with other

Thujae species.

Other Names: Chinese Arborvitae

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil (0.4%): containing alpha-pinene, alpha-thujone

(6%)

Flavonoids: including tricetin-3-glucoside

Wax (0.5%, estolides): chief acid juniperic acid

EFFECTS

The terpene-containing drug is severely toxic. The hemo-

styptic and hair growth-promoting effects with which it is

credited have not yet been documented in experimental data.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Chinese Medicine: Oriental Arborvitae is used for coughing

blood, nose bleeds, dysentery, hematuria and hair loss.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper

administration of designated therapeutic dosages.

DOSAGE

Modeof<rX3ministration: Whole herb preparations, cut and

powdered dfu*g for internal and external use.*

Preparation: to prepare Biotae Cacumen. The rubbed

branches are roasted in an iron pan until the surface

blackens.

Daily Dosage: 3 to 18 gm of drug

Storage: Should be stored in a dry place and protected from

light.

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.

Origanum majorana

See Sweet Marjoram

ORRIS /561

Origanum vulgare

See Oregano

Orris

Iris species

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the rhizome with the

roots.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are long-pedicled and

perfumed. The tepals are white or slightly blue. The outer

ones are darker with a yellow beard. The andiers are as big

as the filaments. The upper lip of the stigma branch is

inclined forward. The fruit is a large capsule with a number

of sections in which the brown seeds are lined up like rolls of

coins.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plants are perennial, 30 to 100

cm high. The rhizome is thick and short. The strong flower-

bearing stem is branched from the middle. The leaves are

broad, sword-shaped, usually curved and gray-green.

Habitat: Indigenous to southern Europe.

Production: Orris root is the root of Iris germanica, Iris

versicolor and other varieties.

Other Names: Iris, Florentine Orris, White Flag Root, Blue

Flag, Flag Lily, Liver Lily, Poison Flag, Snake Lily, Water

Flag, Wild Iris, Yellow Flag, Yellow Iris, Dragon Flower,

Myrtle Flower, Fliggers, Flaggon, Sheggs, Segg, Daggers,

Jacob's Sword, Gladyne

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil: chief constituent's irone, in particular alpha-,

beta- and gamma-irone (odor resembling violets)

Triterpenes: Iridale (mono-, bi- and spirocyclic compounds,

precursors of the irones), including among others irigermanal

Isoflavonoids: including, among others, irilon, irisolone,

irigenine, tectorigenin and their glycosides including iridine

Flavonoids

Xanthones: C-glucosylxanthones, for example iris xanthone,

magniferin

Starch

EFFECTS

Orris root is mildly expectorant. Some of the flavonoids (in

particular the isoflavon irigenin) have an inhibitory effect on

c-AMP phosphodiesterase. Root extracts are said to have an