PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is an evergreen shrub up to

1 m high and is richly branched from the base upward. The

branches are sturdy and elastic with gray-brown bark. The

leaves are oblong-lanceolate, tough and glabrous. The

margin is entire, involuted. The leaves are dark green above,

densely scaled underneath and sometimes rust-colored.

Characteristics: The leaves are not ciliate at the edge.

Habitat: The plant grows in the Alpine chain from the

Pyrenees to the southern Croatian mountains, but not in the

Carpathians.

Production: Rust-Red Rhododendron consists of the dried

leaves of Rhododendron ferrugineum.

Not to be Confused With: The leaves of R. hirsutum. The

plant product may be altered through the addition of

cranberry leaves.

Other Names: Rosebay, Snow Rose

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS: RHODODENDRON AUREUM

Diterpenes of the andromedan type (presence questionable)

Hydroquinone glycosides: arbutin (ericolin)

Flavonoids: including polystachoside, avicularin, myricetin,

gossypetin, azaleatin

Phenol glycosides (bitter substances): rhododendrine (betu-

loside, 4-(3'-glucosyloxybutyl)-phenol)

COMPOUNDS: RHODODENDRON FERRUGINEUM

Diterpenes of the andromedan type (presence questionable,

but probable)

Flavonoids: including myricetin, gossypetin, azaleatin

Phenol glycosides (bitter substances): rhododendrine (betu-

loside, 4-(3'-glucosyloxybutyl)-phenol)

COMPOUNDS: RHODODENDRON PONTICUM

Diterpenes of the andromedan type: grayanotoxin I (andro-

medotoxin, acetyl andromedol, asebotoxin, rhodotoxin),

grayanotoxin II (andromedol), grayanotoxin III

(andromedenol).

Flavonoids: including myricetin, gossypetin, azaleatin

Phenol glycosides (bitter substances): rhododendrine (betu-

loside, 4-(3'-glucosyloxybutyl)-phenol)

EFFECTS
No information is available.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Because the drug's composition is not fully known, its use
cannot be recommended.

RUST-RED RHODODENDRON / 651

Unproven Uses: Rust-Red Rhododendron is used to treat

rheumatic symptoms, calculosis, geriatric complaints, gout,

high blood pressure, meteorosensitiveness, migraine, muscu-

lar pain and neuralgia.

Homeopathic Uses: The drug is used for neuralgia, rheuma-

tism, and inflammation of the testicles.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

The Rhododendron species mentioned are considered poi-

sonous. The grayanotoxins prevent the closure of the sodium

channels and thus paralyze conduction.

OVERDOSAGE

Signs of poisoning could include cardiac arrhythmias,

coordination disorders, diarrhea, hypotension, cold sweats,

paresthesia, salivation, severe stupor, spasm bradycardia,

vomiting and eventually death through cardiac failure or

apnea. Unambiguous proof of toxicity is available only for

the foliage, blossoms and sap of Rhododendron ponticum.

Following gastrointestinal emptying (inducement of vomit-

ing, gastric lavage with burgundy-colored potassium per-

manganate solution, sodium sulphate), administration of

activated charcoal and shock prophylaxis (quiet, warmth),

therapy for poisonings consists of treating spasms with

diazepam (i.v.), bradycardia with atropine, electrolyte substi-

tution and treating possible cases of acidosis with sodium

bicarbonate infusions. In case of shock, plasma volume

expanders should be infused. Opiates should not be given.

Monitoring of kidney function is essential. Intubation and

oxygen respiration may also be necessary.

DOSAGE

Daily Dosage: The daily dosage is 5 to 6 gm of drug as an

infusion.

LITERATURE

Bewu(?tlos nach Verzehr eines Honigbrotchens. In: DAZ

132(27): 1440. 1992.

Frohne D, Pfander HJ, Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fur

Apotheker, Toxikologen und Biologen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlags-

Ges. Stuttgart 1997.

Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Hrsg.), tiagers

Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6

(Drogen): Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-

1994.

Keller S auf dem et al., PA 25:621-625. 1970.

Lewin L, Gifte und Vergiftungen, 6. Aufl., Nachdruck, Haug

Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.

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

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K: Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,

I 4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.