PDR for Herbal Medicines

734/STONE ROOT

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Stone Root is used for calculi, kidney

stones, urea (bladder semolina), bladder inflammation,

dropsy and gastrointestinal disorders.

Homeopathic Uses: Preparations of Collinsonia canadensis

are used for hemorrhoids and constipation.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: The drug is used internally as an

extract, infusion or tincture.

Preparation: Liquid extract (1:1) I ml to 4 ml; tincture (1:5)

2 ml to 8 ml.

Daily Dosage: The drug is generally used as a single dose, 1

to 4 g, internally as an infusion.

Homeopathic Dosage: 5 to 10 drops, 1 tablet or 5 to 10

globules 1 to 3 times daily; or 1 ml injection solution sc

twice weekly (HAB1).

LITERATURE

Joshi BS. Moore KM, Pelletier SW, Saponins from Collinsonia

canadensis. In: JNP 55(10): 1468-1476. 1992.

Lawrence BM et ah, PH 11:2636-2638. 1972. *

Wolters B, Zierpflanzen aus Nordamerika. In: DAZ

137(26):2253-2261. 1997.

Further information in:

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-

1994.

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

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Storax

Liquidambar orientalis

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the balsam from the

trunk and the inner bark. c

Flower and Fruit: The flowers and inflorescences are
unisexual, monoecious and arranged in small, round solitary
capitula. The flowers are yellow. The male flowers' show no
signs of a calyx or corolla. The female flowers have tiny
scaly sepals, and the floret rubes are fused. There are
numerous stamens, and the ovary is semi-inferior. The fruit
is a hard globular schizocarp.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Liquidambar orientalis is a decidu-
ous tree about 12 m tall with many branches and a thick

PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

reddish-gray bark. It has alternate, usually 5-lobed leaves.

The leaf blades are usually roughly toothed.

Characteristics: Raw Storax is a thick, viscous, sticky,

aromatic and somewhat bitter-tasting gray-brown mass.

When stored, the drug becomes clearer, an effect caused by a

reduction in the water content.

Habitat: The tree is indigenous from Asia Minor to Syria.

Production: Storax (amber tree balm) is extracted from

Liquidambar orientalis. To extract the balsam, the trunk is

beaten, causing the bark to soak up the exuding resin. The

bark is then boiled and the resulting decoction further

refined.

Not to be Confused With: Fir resin, turpentine, colophony,

olive oil

Other Names: Balsam Styracis, Sweet Gum, Copalm, Gum

Tree, Liquid Amber, Opossum Tree, Red Gum, White Gum

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Aromatic alcohols: phenylpropyl-, cinnamic-, benzyl alcohol

Cinnamic acid (up to 30%): cinnamic acid esters, including

among others cinnamylcinnamate (styracine), cinnamic acid

ethyl esters

Styrene

Triterpenes: oleanolic acid, 3-epioleanolic acid (resin

fraction)

Vanillin (up to 2%)

Volatile oil (depending upon source, 1 to 20%): with styrol,

benzyl alcohol, cinnamic alcohol

EFFECTS

Storax has anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic and stimulant

effects.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Storax is used for coughs and bronchitis as

an inhalation, externally for wounds and ulcers.

Chinese Medicine: In China, Storax is used in the treatment

of syncope, epilepsy and lactose intolerance in young

children.

Indian Medicine: In India, Storax is used for itching,

suppurating wounds, leprosy, chronic coughs and fever.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper

administration of designated therapeutic dosages. Internal

administration of the drug occasionally leads to diarrhea.

Storax can also trigger contact allergies.