PDR for Herbal Medicines

572/PARSNIP

Kubeczka KH et al., Uber das atherische Ol der Apiaceae

(Umbelliferae). II. Das atherische 01 der oberirdischen Teile

von Pastinaca sativa. In: PM 31(2): 173-184. 1977.

Stahl E et al., Uber das atherische 01 der Apiaceae

(Umbelliferae). Vl.Untersuchungen zum Vorkommen von

Chemotypen bei Pastinaca sativa. In: PM 371(12):49-56. 1979.

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.

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

Nachdruck, Georg 01ms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,

Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.

Parthenocissus quinquefolia

See American Ivy

August Flower

Pulsatilla pratensis

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the whole fresh plant

collected during the flowering season.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are solitary and almost

always nodding. They have 6 campanulate, close, bright-

violet tepals. These are usually thickly silky-haired on the

outside with revolute tips, and are 1.5 to 3 cm long. The

stamens are yellow and numerous; the longer ones are at

least two-thirds the length of the tepals. The carpels with the

style are as long as the tepals. The ripe fruit is oblong and

densely pubescent. The protruding style is up to 6 cm long.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a perennial, 7 to 50 cm

high with a strong, dark, usually divided, rhizome. The basal

leaves usually appear after the flowers and are not hardy.

They are 3 to 4 pinnate with narrow linear acuminate end

sections that, along with the petioles, are thickly white

villous. The stems are erect and densely pubescent with 3

whorled high leaves, divided into linear, pubescent tips.

Characteristics: The plant is poisonous.

Habitat: The plant originated in southwestern Europe and

now also grows in central and eastern Europe.

Production: Pasque Flower herb consists of the dried, above-

ground parts of Pulsatilla vulgaris and/or Pulsatilla pratensis.

PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Other Names: Easter Flower, Meadow Anemone, Passe

Flower, Pulsatilla, Wind Flower

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Protoanemonine-forming agents: In the freshly harvested

plant, presumably the glycoside ranunculin changes enzy-

matically when the plant is cut into small pieces, and

probably also when it is dried, into the pungent, volatile

protoanemonine that quickly dimerizes to anemonin. When

dried, the plant is not capable of protoanemonine-formation.

Triterpene saponins

EFFECTS

In animal experiments, the protoanemonin and anemonin had

an antipyretic and motility-inhibiting effect. In the inhibition

test, an antibiotic effect was shown. Protoanemonin is a

strong local irritant to the mucous membranes and skin.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Pasque Flower is used for diseases and

functional disorders of genital organs; inflammatory and

infectious diseases of skin and mucosa; diseases and

functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and the

urinary tract; neuralgia; migraine; and general restlessness. It

has also been used to treat iritis, scleritis, gray cataract and

glaucoma.

Homeopathic Uses: Homeopathic uses include inflammation

of the respiratory tract, digestive organs, female genital

organs, bladder, eyes, middle ear, menstruation complaints,

problems during pregnancy and nursing, rheumatism, prob-

lems with voiding urine, headaches, insomnia, measles,

mumps and depressive states.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

The drug is contraindicated during pregnancy.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

General: No health hazards or side effects are known in

conjunction witii the proper administration of designated

therapeutic dosages of the dehydrated drug. Extended skin

contact with the freshly harvested, bruised plant (which

releases protoanemonine that is severely irritating to skin and

mucous membranes) can lead to blister formation and

cauterizations that are difficult to heal. If taken internally,

severe irritation to the gastrointestinal tract, combined with

colic and diarrhea, as well as irritation of the urinary

drainage passages, are possible.

Pregnancy: Administration of the drug during pregnancy is

absolutely contraindicated.