PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS

Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,

Pharmakologie. 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.

• Spinacia oleracea

See Spinach

Spiny Rest Harrow

Ononis spinosa

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the roots and

flowering branches.

Flower and Fruit: The pink flowers are solitary or in pairs in

the leaf axils. The calyx is campanulate with 5 segments.

The standard is large and has dark stripes. The ovoid, erect

fruit is a pod as long as or longer than the calyx.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a low subshrub of about

30 to 60 cm with a long taproot. The branches are erect,

spreading, villous and more or less densely covered in short

shoots, which terminate in straight thorns. The leaves are

trifoliate with 3 small, dentate, oblong leaflets. The upper

leaves are entire.

Characteristics: The plant has an unpleasant smell.

Habitat: Spiny Rest Harrow is common in almost all of

Europe, as well as in North Africa and western Asia.

Production: Spiny Rest Harrow root consists of the dried

roots and rhizomes of Ononis spinosa. The plant is harvested

in autumn.

Other Names: Cammock, Petty Whin, Stayplough, Rest-

Harrow, Wild Liquorice, Stinking Tommy, Ground Furze,

Land Whin

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Isoflavonoids:. glycosides, including among others, trifoli-

rhizin (maackiain-7-0-glucoside), ononin (formononetin-7-0-

glucoside), ononin-6-malonylester, homopterocarpin-7-0-

glucoside

Free isoflavonoids: including among others, formononetin,

genistein, biochanin

Volatile oil (0.02-0.2%): chief components anethole, car-

vone, menthol

Triterpenes: including among others, alpha-onocerin (alpha-

onoceradiendiol)

SPINY REST HARROW /713

Lectins

EFFECTS

In combination with sufficient liquid intake, the drug is said

to be diuretic. The diuretic effect is disputed because it is not

sufficiently documented and can be attributed neither to the

essential oil nor to the flavonoids. In animal tests, an anti-

edemic effect was proven. The genistein is mildly estrogenic.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Infections of the urinary tract


• Kidney and bladder stones

Preparations of the drug are used for flushing-out therapy for

inflammatory diseases of the lower urinary tract and also for

prevention and treatment of kidney gravel.

Unproven Uses: Spiny Rest Harrow is popularly used for

gout, rheumatic complaints, as a flushing-out therapy for

inflammatory diseases of the lower urinary tract, and for

prevention and treatment of kidney gravel.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

The drug should not be used in the presence of edema -

resulting from reduced cardiac or renal activity.

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 drug is ground for teas and

other galenic preparations for internal use. Ample liquid

intake (at least 2 liters per day) should accompany use of the

drug.

Preparation: To prepare an infusion (tea), pour boiling water

over 2 to 2.5 g finely cut or coarsely powdered drug and

strain after 20 to 30 minutes (1 teaspoonful equals approxi-

mately 3 g).

Daily Dosage: 6 to 12 gm of drug.

LITERATURE

Dedio I, Kozlowski J, (1977) Acta Pol Pharm 34:97..

Fujise Y et al., (1965) Chem Pharm Bull 13:93.

Haznagy A, Thot G, Tamas J, Constituents of the aqueous

extracts from Ononis spinosa L. In: Arch Pharm 311(4):318-

323. 
     
     
     
     1978. Hilp K et al., (1975) Arch Pharm 308:429.
           Horejsi V, Kocourek J, (1978) Biochim Biophys Acta 538.
           Kartnig T et al., (1985) Pharm Acta Helv 60(9/19):253.