 |
|
|
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
The following is a basic Herbal Materia Medica of 15 herbs. The author is Mark Flanigan. Click on each of the headings to view the materia medica of that herb. Materia Medica 1.0 Introduction The following is a materia medica of 15 different herbs. Included for each herb is its botanical name, common name, appearance, major phytochemical constituents, therapeutic actions, uses (traditional & historic), dosage, contraindications, and safety considerations. 2.0 Calendula officinalis Botanical name: Calendula officinalis. Common name: Calendula, Gold-bloom, Marigold, Marybud, Pot Marigold. Appearance: (Photo Herbal Medicine, p 312) Marigold has large flowers that consist of Florets, with a bright yellow or orange coloured corolla. (British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983). Major phytochemical constituents: Flavonoids: Flavonol (isorhamnetin, quercetin), isoquercetrin, narcissin, neohesperidoside, rutin. Terpenoids: amyrin, lupeol, longispinogenin, oleanolic acid, arnidiol, brein, calenduladiol, erythrodiol, faradiol, helantriolsmaniladiol, ursadiol. Sterols: campesterol, cholesterol, sitosterol, stigmasterol, taraxasterol. Volatile oils: menthone, isomenthone, caryophyllene, pedunculatine, dihydroactinidiolide. (Anderson, et al., 1996, p.58). Other: carotene, calenduline, lycopene, resins, saponins, bitter compound. (Textbook of Advanced Herbology) Therapeutic actions: Antiphlogistic, increases wound healing, choleretic. (Textbook of Advanced Herbology) Spasmolytic, mild diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-haemorrhagic, emmenagogue, vulnerary, styptic, antiseptic. (British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983, p.45). Traditional and historical uses: Gastric & duodenal ulcers, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, epistaxis. Topically: crural ulcers, haemorrhoids, varicose veins, anal eczema, proctitis, lymphadenoma, inflamed cutaneous legions, conjunctivitis (as eye lotion). (British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983, p.45). Secondary infection of leg ulcers. (Fintelmann & Weiss, et al. 2000, p. 303) Dosage: Three times daily: 1 - 4 g of dried florets, or by infusion. 0.5 - 1 ml (1:1 Fluid extract in 40% alcohol). 0.3 - 1.2 ml (1:5 Tincture in 90% alcohol). (British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983, p.45). Contraindications: None. Safety considerations: Due to a uterotonic effect (in vitro), and a lack of toxicity data, calendula is best avoided during pregnancy and lactation. (Anderson, et al., 1996.) 3.0 Gentiana luteum Botanical name: Gentiana luteum. Common name: Gentian, Yellow Gentian. Appearance: (p 54 Herbal Medicine) Large sturdy plant with yellow flowers. Major phytochemical constituents: Alkaloids: gentianine, gentialutine. Bitters: secoiridoid glycoside gentiopicroside, amarogentin, swertiamarine. Glycosides: gentiin, gentiamarin Xanthones: gentisein, gentisin, isogentisin, 1,3,7-trimethoxyanthone. Other: carbohydrates, pectin, tannin, triterpenes, volatile oil. (Anderson, et al., 1996, p.134; Balch & Balch, 1997.) Therapeutic actions: Anti-inflammatory, bitter, cholagogue, gastric stimulant, sialogogue, tonic. (British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983, p.100). Traditional and historical uses: Anorexia, atonic dyspepsia, gastro-intestinal atony, BHP specific: dyspepsia with anorexia. (British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983, p.100). Dosage: Three times daily: 0.6 - 2.0 g dried rhizome and root, or by infusion or decoction. 1 - 4 ml (1:5 Tincture in 45% alcohol). (British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983, p.100). Contraindications: Hyperacidic and sensitive irritable stomach conditions, such as gastric and duodenal ulcers. (Anderson, et al., 1996.) Safety considerations: Gentian reportedly affects the menstrual cycle and has documented mutagenic activity, so should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation. (Anderson, et al., 1996.) 4.0 Althaea officinalis 5.0 Taraxacum officinalis 6.0 Echinacea spp 7.0 Achillea millefolium 8.0 Inula helenium 9.0 Withania somnifera 10.0 Scutellaria laterifolia 11.0 Zingerber officinalis 12.0 Cratageus oxycantha 13.0 Arctostaphylos uva-ursi 14.0 Harpagophytum procumbens 15.0 Cimicifuga racemosa 16.0 Glycerrhiza glabra 17.0 Conclusion 18.0 References |