Hydrangea
Botanical Description & Habitat
Botanical
Hydrangea arborescens (LINN.)
Family
N.O. Saxifragaceae
Synonyms
Wild Hydrangea. Seven Barks. Hydrangea vulgaris. Common Hydrangea.
Parts Used
Dried rhizome, roots.
Habitat
The United States.
The Hydrangeas are marsh or aquatic plants, hence the name is derived from a Greek compound signifying water-vessel. Four of the known species are natives of America; one, the garden Hydrangea (Hydrangea hortensis), is widely cultivated in the gardens of China and Japan.
The oak-leaved Hydrangea (H. quercifolia), a native of Florida, is also cultivated for its beauty.
The bark of H. arborescens is rough, with a tendency to peel, each layer being of a different color, from which it has probably derived its name 'Seven Barks.' The roots are of variable length and thickness, having numerous radicles, reaching a diameter of more than half an inch.
They are externally pale grey, tough, with splintery fracture; white inside, without odor, having a sweetish, rather pungent taste. When fresh, the root and stalks are very succulent, containing much water, and can easily be cut. When dry, they are tough and resistant, so that they should be bruised or cut into short, transverse sections while fresh.
Historical Properties & Uses
Hydrangea is used to remove gravel as well as bladder and kidney stones, and is said to be a good diuretic, diaphoretic, and tonic. Hydrangea's content of known, biologically active components (such as quercitin and kaempferol) suggests it should be therapeutic, but whether such activity helps remove gravel and stones awaits experimental confirmation.
Method of Action
Hydrangea has some proven anti-inflammatory activity.
Although not much research is available, the presence of large amounts of quercetin and kaempferol suggest the herb possesses biological activity in addition to its proven mild diuretic activity.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Known Interactions
Insofar as hydrangea's diuretic action increases renal excretion of sodium and chloride, the herb may potentiate the hyperglycemic and hyperuricemic effects of glucose-elevating agents.
Diuretics may also potentiate the action of antihypertensive, ganglionic or peripheral adrenergic blocking drugs, tubocurarine and, to a lesser degree, norepinephrine.
Possible Interactions
When taken in conjunction with corticotropin (ACTH) or corticosteroids, this diuretic is prone to produce hypokalemia. The diuretic action of hydrangea may also reduce renal clearance of lithium. It should be noted the use of diuretics such as hydrangea may require dosage adjustments of antidiabetic drugs.
Comments
Hydrangea may potentiate the effects of oral anticoagulants, such as warfarin and dicumarol, to the extent it stimulates the liver to catabolize and excrete cholesterol and its by-products via the biliary route.
Prolonged use of this diuretic may affect certain laboratory test results, such as electrolytes (especially potassium and sodium), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid, glucose, and protein bound iodine (PBI).
Safety Factors & Toxicity
No toxicity data on the herb is available, but herbalists maintain too much hydrangea, especially if fresh, can produce toxic symptoms such as dizziness and nausea.
It should also be noted some hydrangea species (mainly Hydrangea paniculata siebold (Grandiflora)) are smoked like marijuana for the purpose of getting high. Users report they get sick as often as they get high; for this, the presence of cyanide-producing compounds in the plant is usually blamed. However, the total lack of scientific research on the plant imparts uncertainty to all explanations. Hydrangea arborescens probably contains no cyanogenic compounds.
Preparation & Administration
Three times a day
Tea
made from 1 tsp of dried tuber or root
Fluid extract
1:1 in 25% alcohol, 2-4 ml
Tincture
1:5 in 45% alcohol, 3-10 ml
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
Am Hospital Formulary Service. Am Soc of Hosp Pharm. Wash, D.C.
Azarnoff, D. & A. Hurwitz. 1970. Drug interactions. Pharmacol Physicians, 4(2). pp. 1-7.
Benoit, P.S., et.al., Lloydia, 39, 160, 1976.
Bressler, R., M.D. Bogdonoff & G.J. Subak-Sharpe. 1981. The Physicians Drug Manual. Doubleday & Co, Inc. Garden City, NY. 1213 pp.
Chambers, G., R.J. Kerry & G. Owen. 1977. Lithium used with a diuretic. British Medical Journal, 2. pp. 805-806.
Chiles, V.K. 1968. Drug interactions and the pharmacist. Canadian Pharaceutical Journal, 101(7). pp. 241-247.
De Martinis, M., et.al. 1980. Milk thistle (silybum marianum) derivatives in the therapy of chronic hepatopathies. Clin. Ter., 94(3). pp. 283-315.
Drug package insert (FDA approved official brochure) and other labeling based on sponsored clinical investigations and New Drug Application data.
Goldner, M.G., H. Zarowitz & S. Akgun. 1960. Hyperglycemia and glycosuria due to thiazide derivatives administered in diabetes mellitus. New England Journal of Medicine, 262(Feb 2). pp. 403-405.
Goodman, L.S. & A. Gilman. 1975. Pharm Basis of Thera. Macmillan, NY.
Hansten, P.D. 1979. Drug Interactions, 4th ed. Lea & Febiger, Phila.
Hansten, P.D. 1968. Antidiabetic drug interactions. Hospital Form. Management, 4(2). pp. 30-32.
Hegnauer, R. Chemotaxonomie Der Pflanzen, Vol. 6. Birkhaeuser Verlag, Basel, 1973, p. 326.
Hurtig, H.I. & W.L. Dyson. 1974. Lithium toxicity enhanced by diuresis. New England J of Med, 290(Mar 28). pp. 748-749.
Hyde, F.F. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. British Herbal Medicine Assoc: West Yorks, England, 1983
Kastrup, E.K., ed. 1981. Drug Facts and Comparisons, 1982 edition. Facts and Comparisions Division, J.P. Lippincott Co, Phila(St. Louis).
List, P. & L. Hoerhammer. 1969-1976. Hagers Hanbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, vols. 2-5. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Lutz, E.G. 1975. Lithium toxicity precipitated by diuretics. Journal of the Medical Society of New Jersey, 72(5). pp. 439-440.
Martin, E.W. 1978. Drug Interactions Index, 1978/79. J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia.
Miller, R.D., et.al. 1976. Enhancement of d-tubocurarine neuromuscular blockage by diuretics in man. Anesth, 45. p.442.
Miller, L. & R. Lindeman. Red Blood Cell and Serum Selenium Concentration as Influenced by Age and Selected Diseases. Journal Of Am College Nutrition, 2. 1983.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Poller, L., et.al. 1969. Progesterone oral contraception and blood coagualation. British Medical Journal, 1. pp. 554-556.
Tuttle, C.B. 1969. Drug interactions. Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, 22(5-6). pp. 2-15.
Young, L.A., L.G. Young, M.M. Klein, D.M. Klein & D. Beyer. Recreational Drugs, Collier Books, New York, 1977, Page 99.
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