564/OX-EYE DAISY PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES
Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
Oxalis acetosella
See Wood Sorrel
Paeonia officinalis
See European Peony
Banana Tree
Sophora japonica
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the ripe seeds.
Flower and Fruit: The white flowers are in large, broad,
sweeping terminal panicles made up of racemes. The flowers
are papilionaceous with a patent standard. The lower edge of
the lateral wing petals are bent over so that one surrounds the
others. The fruit is a round pod tied in around the seeds like a
string of pearls.
Leaves, Stem and Trunk: The tree is reminiscent of the
robinia, with a densely branched crown. It grows 12 to 15 m
high. It has smooth, green branches. The leaves are odd-
pinnate with 11 to 15 leaflets. The leaflets are ovate, acute,
dark green above and glaucous beneath. The main leaf
petiole is very thick at the base.
Habitat: The plant is indigenous to China and Japan, and is
found in Europe as an ornamental and roadside tree.
Production: Pagoda Tree seeds are the ripe seeds of Sophora
japonica.
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS•
Quinolizidine alkaloids (0-0.04%): including among others
cytisine, N-methyl cytisine, matrine, sophocarpine
Flavonoids: including rutin, sophorine
Toxic lectins
Polysaccharides: galactomannans
Fatty oil
Proteins
EFFECTS
The active agent, rutin, increases the permeability of the
capillaries.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Homeopathic Uses: Pagoda Tree is used in homeopathy for
dysentery.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards, side effects, or cases of poisoning are
known in conjunction with the proper administration of
designated therapeutic dosages. Nevertheless, according to
older reports, regular consumption of the seed meal can
cause facial edema and even death. Cystine poisonings are
possible through the intake of very high dosages.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: As a mother tincture in homeopath-
ic dilutions. Sophora is used by the pharmaceutical industry
in the production of rutin (a substance that influences the
resolution and porousness of the dilation of the capillaries).
The drug is contained in medicinal preparations, which are
used to stabilize blood circulation and as a cure for nervous
disorders and inflammation.
LITERATURE
Izaddoost M, PH 14:203. 1975.
Kem W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der
Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8: Springer Verlag
Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.
Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,
- Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
Tang W, Eisenbrand G, Chinese Drugs of Plant Origin,
Springer Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
Panax ginseng
See Ginseng
Papaver rhoeas
See Corn Poppy
Papaver somniferum
See Poppyseed