PDR for Herbal Medicines

710/SPEARMINT PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used

in Food Drugs and Cosmetics. John Wiley & Sons Inc., New

York 1980.

Murray MJ et ah, (1972) Crop Sci 12:723.

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

Verlag Heidelberg 1992.

Subramanian SS. Nair AGR, (1972) Phytochemistry 11:452.

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

Stuttgart 1997.

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

Stuttgart 1997.

Speedwell

Veronica officinalis

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried herb

collected during the flowering season, the fresh aerial parts

of the .flowering plant and the dried aerial^ parts collected

during the flowering season.

Flower and Fndt: The erect bright blue or lilac flowers are

in axillary, peduncled, spike-like racemes. The flowers are

small, pedicled and have 4 slightly fused sepals. The corolla

has a very short tube, is flatly splayed and has 4 uneven tips.

There are 2 stamens and 1 superior ovary. The fruit is a

triangular capsule narrowed at the base. The fruit chambers

each have 5 to 10 seeds. The seeds are about 1 mm long,

oval and flat; the back of the seed is smooth.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a 10 to 20 cm high

herbaceous perennial with runners that tend to form grass.

The root system consists mainly of shoot-producing roots.

The stem is creeping, and the flower-bearing branches are

erect. The whole plant is roughly pubescent. The leaves are

obovate-ovate, elliptical or oblong, short-petioled and

serrate.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to almost all of Europe,

parts of Asia and North America. The sources of the drug are

Bulgaria, die former Yugoslavia and Hungary.

Production: Speedwell consists of the above-ground parts of

Veronica officinalis imported from Bulgaria, the former

Yugoslavia and Hungary. Only the flowering herb is

harvested (without roots or lower parts) and subsequently

dried fully in the shade before it is cut.

Not to be Confused With: Veronica chamaedrys or Veronica
allionii.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Iridoide monoterpenes (0.5-1.0%): including among others

aucubin, catalpol, catalpol esters (including among others

minecoside, verminoside, veronicoside), mussaenoside, 4

ladroside

Flavonoids (0.7%): including among others luteolin-7-O-

glucosides (cinaroside), 6-hydroxyluteolin-7-monoglucoside

Triterpene saponins (10%)

Cajfeic acid derivatives: chlorogenic acid (0.5%)

EFFECTS - .;..

Speedwell exhibits a protective effect against ulcers and

accelerates ulcer healing. Its use as an astringent in the

treatment of wounds and as a gargle for inflammations of the

mouth and throat is plausible because of the amaroid-like

properties of the drug.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Speedwell preparations are used for dis-

eases and discomfort of the respiratory, gastrointestinal and

lower urinary tracts. It is also used for the liver and kidneys,

• and to treat gout, rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatic
  complaints.
  In addition, Speedwell is used internally to improve metabo-
  lism ("blood-purifying") and for nervous agitation. Exter-
  nally, the herb is used as a gargle for inflammation of the
  oral and pharyngeal mucosa, promotion of wound healing,
  chronic skin complaints, itching and sweating of the feet.
  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 herb is available as a whole,
  cut and powdered drug for internal and external use in
  compound preparations.
  Preparation: To prepare a tea, pour 1 cup of boiling water
  over 1.5 gm of drug (1 gm is approximately 1 teaspopnful).
  For the preparation of external lavages and compresses for
  ulcers, wounds and eczema, add 1 handful of drug tol liter of
  water and boil for 10 minutes.
  Daily Dosage: The average single dose is 1.5 gm of drug.
  The dose of the tea (used as an expectorant) is 1 cup taken 2
  to 3 times daily.
  Storage: Speedwell must be protected from light sources.
  LITERATURE
  Afifi-Yazar F, Sticher O, (1980) Helv Chim Acta 63:1905.
  Afifi-Yazar FU et al., Helv Chim Acta 64:16. 1981.