Gratiola Sp. - Hedge-hyssop

Family: Plantaginaceae (Previously in Scrophulariaceae) [E-flora]

Gratiolaneglecta
Gratiola neglecta
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References

Image References

  1. Gratiola neglecta, Robert H. Mohlenbrock, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. Image reference 2
  3. Image reference 3

"Annual; herbage glabrous proximally, glandular-puberulent distally; roots fibrous. Stem: erect to decumbent, < 30 cm, rounded to ± 4-angled. Leaf: cauline, opposite, sessile or ± clasping, subentire to dentate, palmately veined. Inflorescence: flowers 1 per leaf axil, pedicelled, bractlets present or 0. Flower: sepals 5, generally free; corolla 5-lobed, tube 4-angled, > lobes, ± purple-lined, upper lip 2-lobed or notched, lower 3-lobed; fertile stamens 2, anther sacs of each stamen separated, parallel; ovary subtended by nectary, stigma weakly 2-lobed. Fruit: septicidal and loculicidal, 4-valved, 3–6 mm, ovoid to spheric. Seed: many, 0.5–0.9 mm, coat net-like, ± brown.
± 25 species: temperate, tropical mountains, North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, South America. (Latin: grace or favor, from supposed medicinal quality) [Estes & Small 2008 Syst Bot 33:176–182]" [Jepson]

Local Species;

  1. Gratiola ebracteata - bractless hedge-hyssop [E-flora]
  2. Gratiola neglecta - American hedge-hyssop [E-flora]

Uses of Related Sp.

Gratiola pedunculata Range: Australia - New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland.
Used in the treatment of liver complaints, though it should be used with care[152].[PFAF-2]

Gratiola ebracteata We have a species of Gratiola - G. ebracteata- but it is doubtful if the little and rather rare annual possesses any of the properties that have given its European congener, Gratiola officinalis, its botanical names and its reputation amongst the farmers of the old continent.[AmeriDrug]

Hedge-Hyssop (Gratiola officinalis)

Range:Central and southern Europe.[PFAF-1]
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the herb and roots. (In contrast to what its name suggests, Hedge-Hyssop is not a member of the Hyssop family, even though it has a similarly bitter taste.)
Production: Hedge-Hyssop is the herb of Gratiola officinalis, which is harvested shortly before flowering. The upper portion of the stem is cut down, then dried in thin layers in the shade at temperatures not exceeding 45° C.
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS Cucurhitacins: gratiogenin, 16-hydroxygratiogenin, cucurbitacins E, I, the glycosides gratiogenin-3beta-D-glucoside, gratioside (gratiolin, gratiogenindiglucoside), elaterinide, desacetylelaterinide
Saponins
Lignans
Flavonoids
EFFECTS
The glycosides are said to be cardiotonic. The cucurbaticins, especially elaterinide, cause a reduction of the contraction power of cardiac muscle, a lowering of cardiac frequency and a distinct increase in coronary flow. Elaterinide has a laxative effect. The drug is a strong purgative; it eliminates intestinal parasites and increases micturition.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: The herb was formerly used as a purgative and for treating the liver. In folk medicine, it is used as purgative and emetic for gout, liver complaints and constipation, as well as for chronic skin conditions. The drug is only to be taken under medical supervision of a doctor because of its toxicity.
Homeopathic Uses: Uses in homeopathy include stomach colic and bladder and kidney conditions
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
Health risks or side effects following the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded. Nonetheless, the drug is extremely poisonous. It is severely irritating to mucous membranes due to the cucurbitacin and cucurbitacin glycosides content, out of which cucurbitacins are released in watery environments.
OVERDOSAGE
The intake of toxic dosages leads to vomiting, bloody diarrhea, colic, kidney irritation and initially to elevated diuresis, then to anuria. Very high dosages lead to spasm, paralysis and circulatory collapse. Fatalities are seen only rarely. Following gastric lavage, the treatment for poisonings should proceed symptomatically.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Hedge-Hyssop is most effective in alcoholic extracts, but it.also is used in infusions and in homeopathic dilutions. Today, it is rarely used in folk medicine.
Daily Dosage: A single dose of tea is noted as containing 0.3 g drug.
Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet or 1 0 globules every 30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic); parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc acute, 3 times daily; chronic: once a day (HAB1)

All parts of the plant are poisonous[9, 65, 200].[PFAF-1]

Hedge hyssop was once widely used as a medicinal herb but it is now considered to be obsolete because of its toxicity[238]. The root and the flowering herb are cardiac, diuretic, violently purgative and vermifuge[4, 9, 21]. The plant has been used in the treatment of liver problems, enlargement of the spleen, dropsy, jaundice, intestinal worms etc[4, 238]. The plant is harvested whilst in flower in the summer and dried for later use[9, 238]. Use with caution, in excess the plant causes abortion, kidney damage and bowel haemorrhage[238]. See also the notes above on toxicity. A homeopathic remedy is made from the flowering plant[9]. It is used in the treatment of cystitis, colic and certain stomach disorders[9].[PFAF-1]

Gratiola officinalis (SCROPHULARIACEAE)
Diuretic Steinmetz;

Emetic Steinmetz;
Poison Steinmetz;

Purgative FontQuer, Steinmetz;

Splenomegaly Steinmetz;
Tumor Hartwell

References

Gratiola ebracteata - bractless hedge-hyssop

General: "Annual herb from fibrous roots; stems erect to decumbent, 5-20 cm tall, simple or few-branched, smooth to obscurely and minutely glandular-hairy above." [IPBC-E-flora]

Habitat / Range "Wet open muddy shores, streambanks and vernal pools in the lowland zone; locally frequent in SW BC; S to W MT, ID and CA." [IPBC-E-flora]

Status: Native [E-flora]

References

Gratiola neglecta - American hedge-hyssop

General: "Annual herb from fibrous roots; stems ascending to decumbent, 5-30 cm tall, simple or branched, finely glandular-hairy and clammy especially upward." [IPBC-E-flora]

Habitat / Range "Wet open muddy edges of lakes, ponds and streams and in shallow water in the lowland, steppe and lower montane zones; infrequent in SW BC, rare elsewhere in S BC; E to PQ and NS and S to ME, NY, PA, SC, AL, LA, TX, NM, AZ and CA." [IPBC-E-flora]

Status: Native [E-flora]

Synonyms: Gratiola neglecta var. glaberrima Fernald [E-flora]

References