PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS REED HERB/639

Zhang XL, Preliminary study of rose shu-xin oral liquid in the

treatment of angina pectoris in coronary heart disease. Chung

Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih, 56:414-6, 389. 1992 Jul.

Zhang YW, Xue Y, Zhang BQ, Effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza on

hyperfibrinogen in patients with malignant lymphoma. Chung

Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih. 56:607-8. 582, 1988 Oct.

Zhao BL, Jiang W, Zhao Y. Hou JW, Xin WJ. Scavenging

effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza on free radicals and its protection

for myocardial mitochondrial membranes from ischemia-

reperfusion injury. Biochem Mol Biol Int, 38:1171-82. 1996

May.

Zhou Y. Pan LM, Zhan S. Studies and preparations of fufang

danshen granules. Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih, 56:540-3.

575-6. 1992 Sep.

Zhu P. Experimental study on myocardial protection with

verapamil and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge cardioplegia. Chung

Hua Wai Ko Tsa Chih, 26:9-12, 60. 1990 Jan.

Zhuang HM, Zhu HY. Qin ZL, Effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza on

the survival time of a heart allograft in experimental animals.

Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih, 56:29-30, 6. 1988 Jan.

Red-Spur Valerian

Centranthus ruber

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the root of the plant.

Flower and Fruit: The numerous flowers are in dense

cymes, red, pink or seldom white. The corolla is tubular and

spurred at the base. Each flower contains 1 stamen. The fruit

is small and dry. The margin of the surrounding calyx forms

a pinnatifid rosette or a papus.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant grows from about 30 to 80

cm high. The rhizome is perennial and very branched. The

stems are tough, bushy at the base, hollow and smooth. The

leaves are 5 to 10 cm long in opposite pairs, somewhat

fleshy and entire-margined.

Habitat: The plant is probably indigenous to the Mediterra-

nean region, although it is found in Europe.

Other Names: Pretty Betsy, Bouncing Bess, Delicate Bess,

Drunken Sailor, Bovisand Soldier

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Iridoids (iridoid epoxy compounds, 1-3%): valepotriates,

including valtrate, acevaltrate, didrovaltrate

EFFECTS
The drug has sedative and equilibratory effects.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The drug is not in current use. It was

previously used as a sedative.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages.

DOSAGE

No information is available.

LITERATURE

Handjieva N et al.. PM 34:203. 1978.

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

Birkhiiuser 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.

Marekow NL, PM 23A:48. 1977.

Schneider G, Valepotriat-Artefakte aus Centrantus ruber. In:

Arch Pharmaz 318(6):515- 519. 1985.

Reed Herb

Phragmites communis

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the stem and the

rhizome.

Flower and Fruit: The grassy flowers appear in long

panicles of up to 30 cm with a thick crown of hair.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a sturdy grass with a

long, creeping rhizome. It grows up to 3 m and has gray-

green leaves.

Habitat: Reed Herb is common worldwide.

Production: Reed Herb and rhizome are the stem (base) and

rhizome of Phragmites communis.

Other -Names: Common Reed

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Flavonoids: including tricine, luteolin, chrysoeriol, rutin,

isoquercitrin

Vitamin A (5 mg/100 gm in the fresh foliage)

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C, 100 mg/100 gm in the fresh

foliage)

B vitamins