PDR for Herbal Medicines

650 /RUPTUREWORT PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Rupturewort

Herniaria glabra

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the fresh flowering

plant.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are in flat clusters of 7 to 10

in the leaf axils or opposite the leaves along the stem. They

are yellow-white and very small. The fruit is a membranous

capsule covered by the calyx and contains 1 seed.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is an annual small shrub of

about 15 cm. The stem tends to be decumbent. It is round

and branched. The leaves are sessile, entire-margined,

elliptical and opposite. The leaves are alternate.

Characteristics: The plant is yellow-green and glabrous; it

creates suds when rubbed under water.

Habitat: The plant is found in the temperate and southern

regions of Europe and in Asian Russia.

Production: Rupturewort is the complete aerial part of

Herniaria glabra or Herniaria hirsuta. -

Other Names: Flax Weed, Herniary

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Triterpene saponins: herniaria saponins I-VII (aglycones

medicagen, gypsogen, 16-hydroxy-medicagen)

Flavonoids: including hyperoside

Hydroxycoumarins: umbelliferone, herniarin

EFFECTS

The main active principles (saponins, flavonoids, coumarins

and small amounts of tannins) are reported to have mild

spasmolytic and diuretic effects, which have not been

scientifically proven.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Herniaria glabra is used for disorders of the

efferent urinary tract, inflammatory disorders of the kidneys

and bladder, respiratory disorders, nerve inflammation, gout

and rheumatism, and as a blood purifier.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-

tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded.

DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: The drug is administered as an
infusion and in tea mixtures, as an extract in drops and in
urological pharmaceutical preparations.

Preparation: Put 1.5 gm comminuted drug (1 teaspoonful is

equal to 1.4 gm) in cold water and bring briefly to a boil.

Strain after 5 minutes.

Daily Dosage: Drink 1 cup 2 to 3 times daily as a diuretic.

LITERATURE

Cart J, Reznicek G, Korhammer S, Haslinger E, Jurenitsch J,

Kubelka W, The first spectroscopically confirmed saponin from

Herniaria glabra. In: PM 58(7)09. 1992.

Franck HP, (1975) Dtsch. Apoth Ztg 115:1206.

Freiler M et al., A new triterpenesaponin from Herniaria glabra.

In: PM 61 (Abstracts of 43rd Ann Congr):66. 1995.

Freiler M et al., Sci Pharm 64:359. 1996. f KroTikowska M,

Wolbis M, (1979) Acta Pol Pharm 36:469.

Reznicek G et al., PA 48:450. 1993.

Tama M et al., (1981) Clujul Med 54(1 ):73.

Zoz et al., (1976) Rastit Resur 12(3):411 (via CA 85:174257). f

Kern 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 Hildesheirri 1979.

Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer

Verlag Heidelberg 1992.

Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

mbH Stuttgart 1997.

Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

Stuttgart 1997.

Ruscus aculeatus

See Butcher's Broom

Rust-Red Rhododendron

Rhododendron ferrugineum

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried foliage

leaves, the dried leafy branches and the fresh leafy branches.

Flower and Fruit: The pink flowers are in umbel-like

racemes. The calyx has 5 short ovate tips. The corolla is

fused and funnel-shaped with an edge divided into 5

segments. It is covered on the outside with white or golden-

yellow resin spots. There are 10 stamens and 1 superior

ovary. The fruit is a 5-valved capsule. The seeds are

fusiform, about 1 mm long and light brown.