The meaning of the symbols of foxglove seen in a dream.

See: FOXGLOVE. ... digitalis

Drugs whose main actions are to increase the force of myocardial contraction and reduce the conductivity of the nerve ?bres in the atrioventricular node of the heart. They are useful in treating supraventricular tachycardias (rapid heart rhythm) and some forms of heart failure. Glycosides are a traditional group of cardiac drugs, originally derived from the leaves of foxglove plants and used as digitalis. The active principle has long been synthesised and used as DIGOXIN. They are potentaially toxic and their use, especially during initial treatment, should be monitored. Side-effects include ANOREXIA, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain; drowsiness, confusion and DEPRESSION may occur. An abnormally slow heart rate may develop. The glycosides should be used with special care in the elderly who are sometimes particularly susceptible to their toxic effects.... cardiac glycosides

Ehrh.

Habitat: Native to Europe. Now cultivated mainly in Kashmir (Yarikhah), also occurs wild.

English: Grecian Foxglove.

Ayurvedic: Hritpatri, Tilapushpi (non-classical). (Yellow var.)

Action: See D. purpurea.

Earlier, the herb was used to treat ulcers, boils, abscesses, headaches and paralysis. William Withering, an 18th century English country doctor, explored the plant's hidden properties. His work led to the production of digoxin, a life-saving medicine.

Safety of the herb cannot be established due to variable amounts of cardiac glycosides. The powder is toxic at 520 mg.... digitalis lanata

Linn.

Family: Scrophulariaceae.

Habitat: Native to West Europe. Cultivated in Tangmarg and Kishtawar in Kashmir, Darjeeling and the Nilgiris.

English: Digitalis, Foxglove.

Ayurvedic: Hritpatri, Tilapushpi (non-classical). (Purple var.)

Action: Main source of digoxin for the pharmaceutical industry. Digitalis glycosides increase the force of contraction of heart without increasing the oxygen consumption and slow the heart rate when auricular fibrillation is present. To be used only under strict medical supervision.

Not used as a herbal drug.... digitalis purpurea

From the Greek pertaining to the heart. Cardio-vascular pertains to the heart and blood vessels.

Cardio-actives. Herbs exercising a direct action on the heart due to the cardiac glycosides they contain. They increase output by sustaining the heart muscle without a demand for more oxygen. This group includes: Motherwort, Hawthorn, Broom, Lily of the Valley, Figwort, Bugleweed, Squills.

Cardiac glycosides, especially those of the Foxglove (digitalis) which is administered by a physician only, tend to accumulate in the body and may prove toxic when their elimination is retarded. The most important cardio-active used by the Consulting Herbalist is Lily of the Valley which has an action similar to Foxglove but without toxic effect. It is a reliable alternative to Foxglove for failure of the heart with retention of water in the body.

Cardio-tonics. Herbalists use other plants that do not contain cardiac glycosides but which have an indirect effect upon the heart. These dilate arteries and peripheral vessels, speeding the circulation, reducing high blood pressure, relieving any back-pressure on the heart caused by accumulation of blood in the lungs. There are peripheral dilators to resolve any hold-up in the circulation and others that assist a failing heart by eliminating obstruction in the bowel (laxatives), liver and kidneys (hepatics and diuretics), skin (diaphoretics and alteratives, chief of which is Figwort). The heart also may feel the benefit of a timely relaxing nervine such as Skullcap or Lime flowers. Even treatment of varicose veins indirectly assists. All of these reduce the work-load of the muscle and tend to ‘normalise’ function of the heart. Cardio-tonics include Ephedra, Motherwort, Rosemary, Mistletoe, Hawthorn, Lime flowers, Cayenne, Yarrow, Garlic, Balm.

Bugleweed is often overlooked as a cardiac sedative to relax capillaries and soothe arterial excitement. ... cardiac

FATHER SEBASTIAN. 1821-1897

Herbalist and hydrotherapist who re-discovered the healing properties of a number of simple plants for the treatment of major diseases of the day (gout, arthritis, etc) when 19th century German pharmacy was beginning to extract and use concentrated alkaloids, glycosides (Foxglove) of plants. He insisted on use of the whole plant. Clinical experience of this tireless investigator led to the belief that Horsetail (Equisetum) arrests the growth of tumours, and where conditions are favourable may dissolve them. See: WHOLE PLANT. ... kneipp

A group of drugs that are extracted from plants belonging to the foxglove family.

They are used to treat heart conditions, most commonly atrial fibrillation.

Those most frequently used are digitoxin and digoxin.... digitalis drugs

n. a compound formed by replacing the hydroxyl (–OH) group of a sugar by another group. (If the sugar is glucose the compound is known as a glucoside.) Glycosides found in plants include some pharmacologically important products, such as the cardiac glycoside *digoxin, derived from the foxglove (Digitalis). Other plant glycosides are natural food toxins, present in cassava, almonds, and other plant products, and may yield hydrogen cyanide if the plant is not prepared properly before eating.... glycoside

A cut is a minor injury which permits the escape of blood and may thus lead to infection. Cuts should never be neglected because of possible invasion by the tetanus organism ubiquitous in the soil and airborne dust.

Treatment. If the wound is a small puncture, wash with soap and water and dry. Wipe with distilled extract of Witch Hazel, or with a solution made from 1 teaspoon Tincture St John’s Wort (Hypericum) or 1 teaspoon Tincture Marigold (Calendula) to a cup of water. Cover with clean dry dressing.

Many natural healing ointments are available: Comfrey, St John’s Wort, Marigold, Chickweed, Slippery Elm, Foxglove leaves. In days of the Civil War Comfrey leaves were used as bandages and washed Sphagnum Moss as cotton wool. Leaves or gel of Aloe Vera plant enhance healing and reduce scarring. Bruised leaves of Cranesbill, Bistort, Hyssop.

Literally hundreds of natural substances promote healing and prevent infection, including: Goldenseal, Myrrh, Echinacea, Cinnamon, Pot Marjoram, Chamomile, Fenugreek, Self-heal, Woundwort, etc. The Menominee Indians used the powdered root of Skunk Cabbage for injuries and wounds that refused to heal. (John Bartram, 1699-1777)

To minimise scar formation after healing: wipe with castor oil or contents of a Vitamin E capsule. Honey is a popular domestic application for cuts and grazes “to draw out the dirt”.

Products: Nelson’s Hypercal, Doubleday Comfrey Cream. ... cuts

Digoxin poisoning is possible from over-prescription of the drug, a crystalline glycoside, a powerful heart tonic for cardiac weakness. Doses may have been given over a long period during which toxicity builds up and manifests as nausea and vomiting, slow heart rate, faulty vision where objects appear green. Effective herbal alternatives to digoxin exist, reducing the current high mortality rate. Patient might die if not treated quickly.

Treatment: Once a patient is established on any of the digitalis (Foxglove) drugs it is very difficult to discontinue. Smaller doses are advised in the process of weaning to Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) which has a digitalis-like effect by reversing heart rhythm disorders.

Dosage: dried leaves 60-200mg or by infusion. Liquid Extract, 0.6 to 2ml. Tincture, 0.5 to 1ml. Thrice daily.

Treatment by general medical practitioner or qualified phytotherapist. ... digoxin intoxication

Including cardiac glycosides. Discovered by Dr Withering (1785) who was the first physician to prescribe Foxglove for heart disorders. Glycosides are water-soluble constituents of a plant which when heated with dilute acid, or in the presence of an enzyme, are resolved into two or more substances, one of which is sugar. Thus, the root of Horseradish contains the glycoside sinigrin which is decomposed in the presence of water by the ferment myrosin. Cardiac glycosides occur in Lily of the Valley (used as an alternative to Foxglove), Bitter root and Strophantus. An important group of glycosides (flavonoid glycosides) are found in the labiatae family – a family well-represented among medicinal plants. ... glycosides

Several species of plant, including foxglove, holly, deadly nightshade, and laburnum, are poisonous. Nettles, hogweed, poison ivy, and primula cause skin reactions, including rash and itching, on contact. Young children are the most commonly affected. Symptoms of poisoning vary according to the plant but may include abdominal pain, vomiting, flushing, breathing difficulties, delirium, and coma and require urgent medical advice. Skin reactions can be treated by application of alcohol or calamine lotion; corticosteroid drugs may be prescribed for severe reactions. Poisoning usually requires gastric lavage. Fatal poisoning is rare. (See also mushroom poisoning.)... plants, poisonous

“There is a large body of opinion to support the belief that a herb that has, without ill-effects, been used for centuries and capable of producing convincing results, is to be regarded as safe and effective.” (BHMA) Claims for efficacy are based on traditional use and inclusion in herbals and pharmacopoeias over many years. Their prescription may be prefixed by: “For symptomatic relief of . . .” or “An aid in the treatment of . . .”

To establish efficacy of treatment for a named specific disease by herbs, the DHSS requires scientific data presented to the Regulatory authorities for consideration and approval.

A product is not considered a herbal remedy if its active principle(s) have been isolated and concentrated, as in the case of digitalis from the Foxglove. (MAL 2. Guidance notes)

A herbal product is one in which all active ingredients are of herbal origin. Products that contain both herbal and non-vegetable substances are not considered herbal remedies: i.e. Yellow Dock combined with Potassium Iodide.

The British Government supports freedom of the individual to make an informed choice of the type of therapy he or she wishes to use and has affirmed its policy not to restrict the general availability of herbal remedies. Provided products are safe and are not promoted by exaggerated claims, the future of herbal products is not at risk. A doctor with knowledge and experience of herbal medicine may prescribe them if he considers that they are a necessary part of treatment for his patient.

Herbalism is aimed at gently activating the body’s defence mechanisms so as to enable it to heal itself. There is a strong emphasis on preventative treatment. In the main, herbal remedies are used to relieve symptoms of self-limiting conditions. They are usually regarded as safe, effective, well-tolerated and with no toxicity from normal use. Some herbal medicines are not advised for children under 12 years except as advised by a manufacturer on a label or under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.

World Health Organisation Guidelines

The assessment of Herbal Medicines are regarded as:–

Finished, labelled medicinal products that contain as active ingredients aerial or underground parts of plants, or other plant material, or combinations thereof, whether in the crude state or as plant preparations. Plant material includes juices, gums, fatty oils, essential oils, and any other substances of this nature. Herbal medicines may contain excipients in addition to the active ingredients. Medicines containing plant material combined with chemically defined active substances, including chemically defined, isolated constituents of plants, are not considered to be herbal medicines.

Exceptionally, in some countries herbal medicines may also contain, by tradition, natural organic or inorganic active ingredients which are not of plant origin.

The past decade has seen a significant increase in the use of herbal medicines. As a result of WHO’s promotion of traditional medicine, countries have been seeking the assistance of WHO in identifying safe and effective herbal medicines for use in national health care systems. In 1989, one of the many resolutions adopted by the World Health Assembly in support of national traditional medicine programmes drew attention to herbal medicines as being of great importance to the health of individuals and communities (WHA 42.43). There was also an earlier resolution (WHA 22.54) on pharmaceutical production in developing countries; this called on the Director-General to provide assistance to the health authorities of Member States to ensure that the drugs used are those most appropriate to local circumstances, that they are rationally used, and that the requirements for their use are assessed as accurately as possible. Moreover, the Declaration of Alma-Ata in 1978 provided for inter alia, the accommodation of proven traditional remedies in national drug policies and regulatory measures. In developed countries, the resurgence of interest in herbal medicines has been due to the preference of many consumers for products of natural origin. In addition, manufactured herbal medicines from their countries of origin often follow in the wake of migrants from countries where traditional medicines play an important role.

In both developed and developing countries, consumers and health care providers need to be supplied with up-to-date and authoritative information on the beneficial properties, and possible harmful effects, of all herbal medicines.

The Fourth International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities, held in Tokyo in 1986, organised a workshop on the regulation of herbal medicines moving in international commerce. Another workshop on the same subject was held as part of the Fifth International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities, held in Paris in 1989. Both workshops confined their considerations to the commercial exploitation of traditional medicines through over-the-counter labelled products. The Paris meeting concluded that the World Health Organisation should consider preparing model guidelines containing basic elements of legislation designed to assist those countries who might wish to develop appropriate legislation and registration.

The objective of these guidelines, therefore, is to define basic criteria for the evaluation of quality, safety, and efficacy of herbal medicines and thereby to assist national regulatory authorities, scientific organisations, and manufacturers to undertake an assessment of the documentation/submission/dossiers in respect of such products. As a general rule in this assessment, traditional experience means that long-term use as well as the medical, historical and ethnological background of those products shall be taken into account. Depending on the history of the country the definition of long-term use may vary but would be at least several decades. Therefore the assessment shall take into account a description in the medical/pharmaceutical literature or similar sources, or a documentation of knowledge on the application of a herbal medicine without a clearly defined time limitation. Marketing authorisations for similar products should be taken into account. (Report of Consultation; draft Guidelines for the Assessment of Herbal Medicines. World Health Organisation (WHO) Munich, Germany, June 1991) ... herbal medicine