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Botanical Name |
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Actaea spicata LINN. |
English
Name |
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Herb Christopher, Bugbane, Toadroot, Baneberry, |
Synonym(s) |
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Actaea alba; Actaea spicata var alba |
Family |
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Ranunculaceae |
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General Info
Description |
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Perennial pubescent herb growing 1 to 2 feet high, which are triangular and either not branched, or very sparingly so. It has toothed, bipinnate compound leaves up to 40 cm long and 30 cm broad. The foot-stalks of the leaves are long and arise from the root. The flowers grow in spikes and are of a pure white.The fruit is an oval glossy black berry, 10-11 mm long and 8 mm diameter. |
Herb Effects |
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Emetic and laxative (root); insecticidal (stem, flower and leaf); toxic (fruit oil); against Ehrlich's ascites tumors, nerve sedative. |
Chemistry
Active Ingredients |
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Trans-aconitic acid (plant and fruit); protoanemonin (fruit). |
Chemistry
of Active Ingredients |
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Name |
CAS# |
IUPAC Name |
Formula |
Structure |
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Protoanemonin |
108-28-1 |
5-methylidenefuran-2 -one |
C5H4O2 |
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trans-Aconitic acid |
4023-65-8 |
prop-1-ene-1,2,3-tri carboxylic acid |
C6H6O6 |
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Pharmacology
Medicinal Use |
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Used in snakebite; antispasmodic, cytostatic, emetic, nervine and purgative (root);it is also considered useful in the treatment of nervous disorders and rheumatic fever (Coventry,1923).In India it is used in the treatment of rheumatism, goitre and asthma. |
Contraindication |
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Baneberry contains the poison protoanemonin, and is a violent purgative, irritant, and emetic. Taking as few as two berries can cause severe cramps, headaches, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and/or dizziness. Severe protoanemonin poisoning can lead to paralysis of the respiratory system and cardiac arrest. |
Reference |
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Chandel et al., Biodiversity in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in India.
Uniyal et al., Medicinal Flora of Garhwal Himalayas.
Johnson. T. CRC Ethnobotany Desk Reference (www.herbweb.com/herbage)
Coventry. B. O. Wild Flowers of Kashmir Raithby, Lawrence and Co. 1923.
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Dealers
Products
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