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Hawthorn
©
David L. Hoffmann B.Sc. (Hons), M.N.I.M.H.
Crataegus oxyacantha & C.
monogyna
Part used: Whilst
the berries are the most often used part of this shrub, the flowers and
leaves may also have a role to play.
Constituents:
Its constituents highlight the importance of flavones and flavonoids in many
remedies that have a healing impact upon the cardio-vascular system. There
are two main groups:
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flavonoids - flavonoglycosyls, hyperoside, rutin
-
oligomeric procyanadins, 1-epicatechol.
This invaluable heart
remedies does not contain cardiac glycosides.
Aesculin;
Esculin; Aesculin; Crataegin;
This 6-glucoside of esculetin is widely occurring; e.g., in the bark of
Aesculus hippocastanum , in the bark of Crataegus oxyacantha, in
the bark of Fraxinus spp. and in the leaves of Bursaria spinosa.
Inhibits chemically induced carcinogenic action. It is a growth inhibitor of
Bacillus subtilis.
Caffeic acid;
3, 4-Dihydroxycinnamic acid
Widespread occurrence: e.g., in green and roasted coffee beans (Coffea
arabica) and in the root bark of Cinchona cuprea, in Conium
maculatum , and in the resin of various conifers. Also, it occurs in
herbaceous plants such as Digitalis purpurea , the leaves and flowers
of Papaver somniferum, the roots of Taraxacum officinale, and
the flowers of Anthemis nobilis and Achillea millefolium . It
often occurs in bound form as chlorogenic acid .
Antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antioxidant activities. It is an
analgesic and an anti-inflammatory agent, with antihepatotoxic,
antiulcerogenic and clastogenic activities also. It inhibits platelet
aggregation in vitro and gonadotropin release, and affects both DNA binding
and prostaglandin induction.
(+)-Catechin;
Catechinic acid; Catechol; Catechuic acid; (+)-Cyanidanol; (+)-Cyanidan-3-ol
Widespread occurrence in nature, especially in woody plants, e.g., in willow
catkin, Salix caprea.
Biologically highly active. It is used as a haemostatic drug, and in the
treatment of various liver diseases, especially acute hepatitis. It shows
strong liver protective and potent antiperoxidative activities, so that it
may act as a "radical scavenger" by neutralizing free radicals produced by
hepatotoxic substances. However, prolonged treatment with (+) catechin can
induce several adverse reactions, most of them immunomediated, such as
haemolysis, acute renal failure and skin rashes.
Kaempferol;
3, 5, 7, 4'-Tetrahydroxyflavone
Very widespread occurrence, both free and bound as glycosides. The
3-arabinofuranoside, juglanin, and 3-rhamnofuranoside occur in the leaves
and flowers of Aesculus hippocastanum. The 3-rhamnopyranoside,
afzelin, occurs in the heartwood of Afzelia spp. , and the
3-galactoside trifolin, occurs in the leaves of Trifolium pratense .
Radical scavenger. It shows anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and mutagenic
activities. It inhibits the proliteration of rat Iymphocytes at a
concentration of 10 J M. Also, it inhibits iodothyronine deiodinase,
:5-lipoxygenase, and ionophore-induced arachidonlc acid release and
metabolism.
Luteolin;
5, 7, 3', 4'-Tetrahydroxyflavone
Very widespread occurrence, especially as the 7-glucoside and 7-glucuronide,
e.g., in the petals of Antirrhinum majus . The 7-galactoside and
7-rutinoside occur in Capsella bursa-pastoris, the 3'-glucoside in
Dracocephalum thymiflorum , and the 4'-glucoside in the flowers of
Spartium junceum . The aglycone is also very common, especially in leaf
exudates.
Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities. It inhibits iodothyronine
deiodinase, protein kinase C, NADH-oxidase, succinoxidase, lens aldose
reductase, etc. It acts as a nodulation signal to the bacterium Rhizobium
leguminosarum in pea roots and the bacterium R. meliloti in
lucerne.
Procyanidin;
Proanthocyanidin A2; Epicatechin
Occurs in the nuts of Cola acuminata, the berries of Vaccinium
vitis-idaea, and the fruits of the horse-chestnut, Aesculus
hippocastanum and Persea gratissima.
Quercetin;;
3, 5, 7, 3', 4'-Pentahydroxyflavone
The commonest flavonoid in higher plants, usually present in glycosidic
form, but also isolated free from the families Compositae, Passiflorae,
Rhamnaceae and Solanaceae.
Inhibits many enzymes, e.g., protein kinase C, lipogenases, lens aldose
reductase, 3', 5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterases. It is a
radical scavenger. Quercetin also inhibits smooth muscle contraction, and
proliferation of rat Iymphocytes. It is antigonadotropic, anti inflammatory,
antibacterial, antiviral and antihepatotoxic, and shows some mutagenic
activity and allergenic properties.
Rhamnetin;
Quercetin 7-methyl ether
Many glycosides are known: e.g., the 3-glucoside in Thalictrum foetidum
, the 3-rhamnoside (xanthorhamnin) in the fruit of Rhamnus cathartica
and the 3'-glucuronide in Tamarix aphylla. The aglycone has been
found in the aerial parts of many Compositae and Labiatae, and in the leaf
resin of Cistus spp. .
Rhamnetin and its 3-glucoside show antibacterial activity against
Pseudomonas maltophilia and Enterobacter cloacae. It also shows a
moderate contact sensitizing (allergenic) capacity.
Rutin;
Quercetin 3-rutinoside; Rutoside
Very widespread occurrence in higher plants, e.g., in Polygonum spp.
. First isolated from rue, Ruta graveolens.
Radical scavenger. Medicinally, it is used against capillary fragility and
varicosis. A more soluble derivative, hydroxyethylrutoside, is also used
clinically. It shows antiviral and antibacterial activities, and it inhibits
lens aldose reductase and _5-lipoxygenase. It is a feeding attractant to the
beetle Gastrophysa atrocynea, which feeds on Polygonum, but a
feeding deterrent to larvae of Heliothis zea. Also, it is a contact
oviposition stimulant to the butterfly Papilio xuthus for laying eggs
on citrus leaves .
Actions:
Cardio-tonic, diuretic,
astringent, hypotensive.
Hawthorn is the best known of the cardiac tonics, and possibly the most
valuable tonic remedy for the cardiovascular system found in the plant
kingdom. The American Herbalist, Ellingwood said of Hawthorn that "... it is
superior to any of the well known and tried remedies at present in use for
the treatment of heart disease, because it seems to cure while other
remedies are only palliative at best."
It can be considered in most cardio-vascular disease. However, the
therapeutic benefits are only gained when a whole plant preparation is used.
When the isolated constituents were tested separately in the laboratory,
their individual effects were insignificant, whilst the whole plant has
unique and valuable properties. Herbal synergy!
Following a four year study commissioned by the German Federal Ministry of
Health, Hawthorn has gained full recognition as a heart remedy. The
monograph concludes that the , it gently increases the strength and
normalizes the rhythm of the heart beat, as well as increasing coronary and
myocardial circulation, through a dilation of the coronary arteries.
Its main clinical applications are in the long-term treatment of 'loss of
cardiac function', any situation where there is a subjective feelings of
congestion and 'oppression' in the heart region, mild arrythmia's and
especially for conditions of the ageing heart that do not warrant the use of
Foxglove.
Cardio-vascular degenerative disease, angina pectoris, coronary artery
disease and associated conditions.
For essential hypertension, used in conjunction with other hypotensives,
Hawthorn will maintain the heart in a healthy condition, preventing the
development of coronary disease. No toxicity, accumulation or habituation
accurs, thus it may be used long term, achieving result entirely safely,
especially in the elderly. Most significantly is the finding that no
contra-indications or side effects were noted at all.
Dosage and preparations
As one of the more aesthetic herbal remedies, a very pleasant tea can be
made from 1-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried berries infused in hot water and
drunk regularly. 1ml of the tincture are taken 3 times daily, then morning &
evening as a maintenance dose. This may be taken over long periods of time
as their is no fear of toxicity problems. Up to 5ml three times daily can
taken quite safely. |
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Hops
©
David L. Hoffmann B.Sc. (Hons), M.N.I.M.H.
Humulus lupulus
Part Used: Flower inflorescence.
Constituents:
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Volatile oil, composed mainly of humulene (= x-caryophyllene),
with b-caryophyllene, myrcene, farnesene, 2-methylbut -3-ene-2-ol,
3-methylbut-2-ene-l-al, 2, 3, 5-trithiahexane and similar compounds; with
tracesof acids such as 2-methylpropanoic and 3-methylbutanoic, which
increases significantly in concentration in stored extracts.
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Flavonols; mainly glycosides of kaempferol and
quercitin
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Resin, composed of x-bitter acids such as humulone,
cohumulone, adhumulone and b-bitter acids such as lupulene, colupulone,
adlupulone
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Oestrogenic substances of undetermined structure;
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Miscellaneous; tannins, lipids the chalcone
xanthohumol.
Actions:
Sedative, hypnotic, antiimicrobial, anti-spasmodic, astringent.
Indications:
Hops is a remedy that has a marked relaxing effect upon the central nervous
system It is used extensively for the treatment of insomnia. It will
ease tension and anxiety, and may be used where this tension
leads to restlessness, headache and possibly indigestion.
As an astringent with these relaxing properties it can be used in conditions
such as mucous colitis. It should, however, be avoided where there is
a marked degree of depression as this may be accentuated. Externally the
antiseptic action is utilized for the treatment of ulcers.
CAUTION:
Do not use in cases with marked depression.
Ellingwood
considered it specific for "marked cases of nerve irritation and wakefulness
where anxiety and worry are the cause." He recommends it for the following
pathologies: hysteria, insomnia, acute local inflammations,
facial neuralgia, delirium tremens, sexual excitement.
Preparations & Dosage:
Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto l teaspoonful of the dried
flowers and let infuse for l0-l5 minutes. A cup should be drunk at night to
induce sleep. This dose may be strengthened if needed. Tincture: take l-4 ml
of the tincture three times a day. |
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Horehound
©
David L. Hoffmann B.Sc. (Hons), M.N.I.M.H.
Marrubium vulgare
Labiatae
Name: White
Horehound
Habitat:
Found growing wild throughout Europe, cultivated in Britain.
Collection:
White Horehound is gathered whilst the herb is blossoming between June and
September. It is dried in the shade at a temperature not greater than 35
degrees C.
Part Used:
Dried leaves and flowering tops.
Constituents:
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Marrubiin, a diterpene lactone, with
premarrubiin
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Diterpene alcohols: marruciol, marrubenol,
sclareol, peregrinin, dihydroperegrinin
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Volatile oil, containing [[alpha]]-pinene,
sabinene, limonene, camphene, p-cymol, [[alpha]]-terpinolene
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Alkaloids; traces of betonicine and its isomer
turicine
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Miscellaneous; choline, alkanes, phytosterols,
tanins etc.
Actions:
Expectorant, anti-spasmodic, bitter, vulnerary, emmenagogue.
Indications:
Horehound is a valuable plant in the treatment of bronchitis where
there is a non-productive cough. It combines the action of relaxing the
smooth muscles of the bronchus whilst promoting mucus production and thus
expectoration. It is used with benefit in the treatment of whooping
cough. The bitter action stimulates the flow and secretion of bile
from the gall-bladder, aiding digestion. Horehound is used externally to
promote the healing of wounds.
Priest & Priest:
"gently diffusive tonic expectorant: relieves hyperaemia,
congestion, decreases discharge where secretion is too free." They
give the following indications: Colds, bronchitis,
catarrh; asthma with moist expectoration, aphonia and
dyspnoea . Catarrhal dyspepsia.
King's Dispensatory
describes this valuable remedy in the following terms: "Horehound is a
stimulant tonic, expectorant, and diuretic. Its stimulant action upon the
laryngeal and bronchial mucous membranes is pronounced and it,
undoubtedly, also influences the respiratory function. It is used in the
form of a syrup, in coughs, colds, chronic catarrh,
asthma and all pulmonary affections. The warm infusion will produce
diaphoresis, and sometimes diuresis, and has been used with benefit in
jaundice, asthma, hoarseness, amenorrhoea, and
hysteria; the cold infusion is an excellent tonic in some forms of
dyspepsia, acts as a vermifuge."
Combinations:
Depending upon the specific indications it combines well with Coltsfoot,
Lobelia, Elecampane, Wild Cherry Bark and Mullein
Preparations & Dosage:
Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto l/2 - l teaspoonful of the
dried herb and leave to infuse for l0-l5 minutes. This should be drunk
three times a day. Tincture: l-2ml of the tincture 3 times a day.
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