PDR for Herbal Medicines

664 /SAVIN TOPS PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

thujon acting as the principal ingredient, along with contain-

ing podophyllotoxin and other lignans.

A diuretic effect has been described for the essential oil and

the drug is also said to be emmenagogic and hemostyptic.

The use of the drug on viral warts seems justified because of

the podophyllotoxin content.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: For external use only, in the treatment of fig

warts.

Homeopathic Uses: Juniperus sabina is used for metrorrha-

gia, gout, inflammation of the urogenital tract, rheumatism

and warts.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

The drug is severely toxic. External administration, in

particular of the volatile oil, can lead to severe skin irritation,

blister formation, necroses and resorbent poisonings.

OVERDOSAGE

One is cautioned against internal administration of the drug

and of the volatile oil. Fatal poisonings have occurred

repeatedly following administration of the drug in either

powder form or infusion as an abortient. Symptoms include,

among others, queasiness, cardiac rhythm disorders, spasm,

kidney damage and hematuria. Death finds the patient in a

state of central paralysis and deep unconsciousness. The

internal administration of 6 drops of the volatile oil is life-

threatening for humans.

Following gastrointestinal emptying, (inducement of vomit-

ing, gastric lavage, sodium sulfate) and instillation of

activated charcoal, the therapy for poisonings consists of

treating spasms with diazepam (I.V.), colic with atropine,

electrolyte substitution and treating possible cases of acidosis

with sodium bicarbonate infusions. Monitoring of kidney

function, blood coagulation and liver values is essential.

Intubation and oxygen respiration may also be necessary.

The level of danger depends upon the age of the drug of the

volatile oil, as the toxicity probably develops chiefly through

the formation of terpene peroxides during storage. The fresh

tips of the branches contain presumably very little toxicity.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: For external use, as a powdered

drug. Internal application is obsolete because of the danger

of intoxication.

Daily Dosage: maximum 1 gm externally.

Savin Tops powder - Powder twice daily, put bandages into
the folds of skin.

Skin ointment - Average content: 50% drug.

Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet or 10 globules every

30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic);

parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc acute, 3 times daily; chronic: once

a day (HAB1).

LITERATURE

Feliciano AS, Del Corral JMM, Gordaliza M, Castro A, Acid

and phenolic lignans from Juniperus sabina. In: PH 30: 3483-

3485. 
      
      
      
      1991. Fournier G et al., PM 57:392-393. 1991.
            Fournier G et al., Pharm Belg 45:293. 1990.
            Frohne D, Pfander HJ, Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fur
            Apotheker, Toxikologen und Biologen, 4. Aufl.j.. Wiss. Verlags-
            Ges. Stuttgart 1997.
            Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers
            Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6
            (Drogen): Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-
      
      
      
      


3486. 
      

      Hartwell, JL et al., (1953) J Chem Soc 75: 235.
      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 Hildesheirn 1979.
      Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,

      
      


3487. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
      Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
      Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
      Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,
      Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.

Saw Palmetto

Serenoa repens

TRADE NAMES

Saw Palmetto (available from numerous manafacturers), Saw

Palmetto Berries, Saw Palmetto Standardized, Centrum Saw

Palmetto, Proactive Saw Palmetto, Standardized Saw Pal-

metto ExtractCap, Saw Palmetto Extract, Saw Palmetto

Power, Premium Blend. Saw Palmetto, Herbal Sure Saw

Palmetto, Quanterra Prostate, Super Saw Palmetto Plus

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the partially dried

ripe fruit, the ripe fresh fruit and the ripe dried fruit.

Flower and Fruit: The inconspicuous cream flowers are in

short, densely pubescent, paniculately branched inflores-

cences. The fruit is deep purple to almost black. It is an

ovate, 3 cm long, 1-seeded berry. It has a hard but fragile

pericarp that covers a pale brown, spongy pulp. The

endocarp is thin and papery. The fruit is slightly wrinkled,