PDR for Herbal Medicines

612/PREMORSE

Premorse

Scabiosa succisa

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the dried herb.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are purple-blue, globular and

long pedicled composite blooms, with a 2 to 3 rowed

involucre. The florets are all the same size. The epicalyx has

thorn-tipped teeth and the calyx has 5 bristles. The corolla is

fused and has 4 tips. There are 4 stamens and 1 inferior

ovary. The fruit is a nutlet.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant grows from 15 to 80 cm

high. It has a short, finger-thick rhizome, which looks bitten

off. In the first year of growth, the root resembles a carrot.

Later it becomes woody and dies off except for the upper

part, which accounts for its appearance. The remaining upper

part then develops lateral roots. The stem is erect, sparsely

branched, pubescent and has few leaves. The basal leaves are

petiolate, oblong and obtuse. The cauline leaves are narrow

and acute.

Habitat: Scabiosae succisae is indigenous to all of Europe.

Production: Premorse is the aerial part of Scabiosa succisa.

Other Names: Devil's Bit, Ofbit, Premorse scaboius

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Iridoide monoterpenes: including among others, dipsacan,

cephalaroside (structures unknown)

Saponins

Tannins

Flavonoids: including among others, saponarine (C-glyco-

syl-flavone)

Triterpenes: including among others, ursolic acid

EFFECTS

Premorse is a febrifuge and a diaphoretic.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The herb is used for febrile colds and

coughs.

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: The herb is ground as a drug for
infusion.

PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

LITERATURE

Hegnauer R, Chemotaxonomie der Pflanzen, Bde 1-11:

Birkhauser Verlag Basel, Boston, Berlin 1962-1997.

Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde 1-8: Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969 (unter Succisa pratensis).

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

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Primula veris

See Cowslip

Prunella vulgaris

See Self-Heal

Prunus laurocerasus

See Cherry Laurel

Prunus serotina

See Wild Cherry

Prunus species

See Almond

Prunus spinosa

See Sloe

Psyllium

Plantago ovata

TRADE NAMES

Psyllium Husk, Psyllium Husk Bulk-Forming Laxative,

Psyllium Husks, Konsyl Easy Mix, Konsyl for Kids, Konsyl

Powder Sugar Free Unflavored, Metamucil