HERBAL MONOGRAPHSFlower and Fruit: The inflorescences are racemes of white
or lilac flowers, which develop very quickly into the
infructescence. The fruit is a brown, globular berry, which is
about 0.75 cm in diameter. The fruit has a rough surface and
the remains of the calyx are present as a toothed ring at the
^ apex. It contains 2 reniform seeds.Leaves, Stem and Root: The tree is an evergreen up to 12 m
in height. The leaves are oblong and coriaceous.
Characteristics: The odor is aromatic and reminiscent of
cloves.
Habitat: The plant is indigenous to the West Indies and is
cultivated in South America, Central America and Jamaica.
Production: Pimento leaves are the foliage leaves of Pimenta
racemosa. Pimentae fructus is obsolete as a drug.Other Names: Allspice, Clove Pepper, Jamaica Pepper,
Pimenta
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Volatile oil (hay oil, 0.7-1.2%): chief components- eugenol
(50-60%), chavicol (20%), additionally including among
g| others eugenol methyl ether, methyl chavicol, myrcene,
limonene, (-)-phellandrene, 3- octanon, l-octen-3-ole, citral
EFFECTS
Pimento is antiseptic and analgesic, and is a skin irritant.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Pimento is used externally in rubefacient
lotions or liniments.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
General: No health hazards or side effects are known in
conjunction with the proper administration Of designated
therapeutic dosages. Allergic reactions to eugenol occur
rarely.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Pimento preparations are adminis-
tered externally as lotions or liniments.
LITERATURE
Hogg JW et al., (1971) Am Perf Cosmet 86:33.m Kato Y, (1975) Koryo 113:17 et 24.
Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Eds.), Hagers Handbuch der
Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag
Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.
Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used
in Food Drugs and Cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New
York 1980.
Oishi K et al., (1974) Nippon Suisan Gakaishi 40:1241.
Saito Y et al., (1976) Eiyo To Shokuryo 29:505.PIMPINELLA/591Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
Verlag Heidelberg 1992.Pimpinella
Pimpinella major
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried rhizome,
the dried roots and the fresh roots collected in May.
Flower and Fruit: The white flowers are in compound 5- to
I5:rayed umbels. There is no involucre or epicalyx. The
flowers are small. The petals are uneven with curved lobes.
The style is longer than the ovary during the flowering
season. The fruit is dark brown to black, oblong-ovate,
compressed at the sides, 2 to 3.5 mm long, heavily grooved
and has no beak.
Leaves, Stem and Root: The 50 to 100 cm high plant is a
perennial. During the flowering season, it develops lateral
rosettes of leaves for the following year. These are usually
glabrous, occasionally finely downy to short-bristly. The root
is fusiform or carrot-shaped. The root is 10 to 20 cm long
and I to 1.5 cm thick, gray-yellow and somewhat ringed.
The stem is erect, angular, grooved, hollow, glabrous,
somewhat leafy and branched from the ground up. The
leaves are simple pinnate and glossy. The leaflets of the
lower leaves are petiolate. They are ovate or oblong-indented
or serrate acuminate.
Characteristics: The fresh root smells rancid, suet or carrot-
like. The taste is tangy at first then burning-hot.
Habitat: The plant grows all over Europe with the exception
of Scandinavia and the southern Balkans. It has been
introduced to North America.
Production: Pimpinella herb consists of the above-ground
parts of Pimpinella saxifrage and/or Pimpinella major.
Pimpinella root consists of the dried rhizomes and roots of
Pimpinella saxifrage and/or Pimpinella major. The root is
dug up in spring and autumn. The uncut root is dried at
temperatures of 40° C to prevent loss of essential oils. The
drying process is completed when the roots can be broken.
Not to be Confused With: Pimpinellae radix should not be
confused with other Apiaca roots. It is often adulterated with
the roots of Heracleum sphondylium, Heracleum mantegaz-
zianum and Pastinaca sativa.Other Names: Pimpernell, Saxifrage, Burnet Saxifrage
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS: PIMPINELLA HERB
Flavonoids
The foliage of the plant has not been fully investigated.