PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS

Spiked Loosestrife, Spiked. Willow Sage, Salicaire, Flower-

ing Sally, Blooming Sally

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Tannins (ellagitannins = lythrartannin, condensed tannins)

Flavonoids: including among others vitexin, orientin

Phthalides: diisobutyl-, butyl-, isobutyl-. dibutylphthalides

Steroids: beta-sitosterol « -

EFFECTS **

The active agents are tannin, pectin, resins, cholin and

salicarin.

The drug has an anti-inflammatory, astringent, and antibiotic

effect. The astringent properties of the Purple Loosestrife is

attributed not just to the tannin content, but also to the

glycoside salcarin, which has a special antimicrobial effect

on various bacteria in the intestinal tract.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The drug is used internally for diarrhea,

chronic intestinal catarrh and menstrual complaints; external-

ly, in the treatment of varicose veins, bleeding of the gums,

hemorrhoids and eczema.

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 drug is used internally as well

as externally.

Preparation: For internal use, an infusion is made from 3 gm

of the drug added to 100 ml of water. To prepare a tincture,

add 20 gm of the drug to 100 ml of 20% alcohol (leave to set

for 5 days).

Daily.Dosage: Two to 3 cups of an infusion are to be taken

per day. Two to 3 teaspoons of the tincture should be taken

per day.

Storage: Keep wrapped in paper or in cloth sacks.

LITERATURE

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

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. AufL, Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

PYRETHRUM / 621

Pyrethrum

Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The part of the plant used for medicinal

purposes (primary as an insecticide) is the flower.

Flower and Fruit: Solitary flower heads are at the end of

long slender peduncles, consisting of white lingual florets

and yellow tubular florets. The fruit is an achene.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Pyrethrum is .a. perennial, 20 to 60

cm high plant with an erect stem covered in alternating,

pinnate, roughly serrated leaves. The underside of the leaves

is downy.

Characteristics: The entire plant gives off a heavy perfume.

Habitat: Pyrethrum is indigenous to Kenya and the Mediter-

ranean region and is widely cultivated in other parts of the

world.

Production: Pyrethrum flowers are the just-opening com-

pound flower heads of 2-to-8-year-old Chrysanthemum

-cinerariifolium and/or Chrysanthemum coccineum. The -

heads are left to wilt and then dried in special drying plants.

Other Names: Dalmatian Pellitory, Dalmation Insect Flowers

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Pyrethrine (ester ofmonoterpene acid with alkylcyclopenten-

olone, ]%): chief components pyrethrines I and II, cinerines

I and II, jasmoline I and II

Flavonoids: including apigenin-, luteolin- and quercetin-7-

O-glucosides and —glucuronides

Sesquiterpenes: sesquiterpene lactones, including pyrethro-

sine, cyclopyrethrosine

Lignans: sesamine

Polyynes: thiophenes, including 5-(4-hydroxy-l-butenyl)-

2,2'-bithienyl

EFFECTS

Pyrethrum exhibits a neurotoxic effect on the sodium canal

of insects with no development of habitual immunity.

Pyrethrine and cinerine are contact insecticides that paralyze

the nerve center of lower animals.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Pyrethrum is used as an insecticide for

scabies, head lice, crab lice and their nits.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

witii the proper administration of designated therapeutic