Pulsatilla
Botanical Description & Habitat
Anemone pulsatilla
Family
Rununculaceae
Common names
Anemone
Easter flower
Pasque Flower
Wind flower
Habitat
Open areas, not in woods. Grows in dry soils in central and western Europe, and the central and northern United States.
Description
A common plant which bears purple stalked leaves which grow in a rosette. The leaves are finely divided and covered with silky hairs. Pulsatilla blooms from April to June.
Medicinal parts
Whole plant, fresh or dried, collected after flowering
Historical Properties & Uses
Pulsatilla and several related species are virtually impossible for the layman to use. They can't be dried or they lose all medicinal activity; they must be handled carefully in the field and kitchen or they can cause blistering of skin and mouth and produce severe gastrointestinal pain.
Although the effects of the fresh material are extremely potent, other herbs are favored to provide the same medicinal effects: sedative for female complaints, antispasmodic for whooping cough, and antibiotic.
Pasque Flower has not achieved approval status by the German Commission E. Either there was insufficient evidence in favor, or a contraindication.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Method of Action
Fresh pulsatilla is preeminent in the family Ranunculaceae, the whole of which is characterized by the presence of very active alkaloids, heterosides, saponins, lactones, and ranunculosides (glycosides).
The latter are acrid substances with sedative and antispasmodic properties. Upon hydrolysis, the ranunculosides produce protoanemonine, which has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Unfortunately, drying converts protoanemonine into anemonine, and this to anemonic acid, which has no medicinal properties at all. Hence, fresh material must be used to derive any benefits from any of the Ranunculaceae family, including pulsatilla.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Known Interactions
Since pulsatilla's diuretic action increases the renal excretion of sodium and chloride, the herb may potentiate the hyperglycemic and hyperuricemic effects of glucose-elevating agents.
Diuretics in general may potentiate the action of antihypertensive, ganglionic or peripheral adrenergic blocking drugs, tubocurarine and, to a lesser degree, norepinephrine.
It should also be noted the effects of dopamine and diuretic agents are additive.
Possible Interactions
The diuretic action of pulsatilla may reduce renal clearance of lithium. The use of diuretics may require dosage adjustments of antidiabetic drugs.
When pulsatilla is used in conjunction with corticotropin (ACTH) or corticosteroids, this diuretic herb is more prone to produce hypokalemia.
In addition, an initial dose of the antihypertensive captopril may cause a severe drop in blood pressure within three hours if a strong diuretic such as pulsatilla is also being used.
Pulsatilla should be used with caution in conjunction with CNS depressants or stimulants.
Comments
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).
The strong diuretic action of pulsatilla may produce digitalis toxicity if digitalis glycosides are being used.
When used in conjunction with aminoglycoside antibiotics, it may also produce ototoxicity. In combination with ethyl alcohol, barbiturates or narcotics, it may produce orthostatic hypotension.
Strong diuretics such pulsatilla, in conjunction with indomethacin, may produce natriuretic effects. The herb may also enhance the nephrotoxicity of cephaloridine.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
Handling fresh plant material can produce irritation and blistering; ingestion of whole fresh plant can burn the mouth, causing reddening and swelling. Swallowing large quantities can cause severe stomach discomfort.
This herb has not achieved approval status by the German Commission E.
It may be irritating to the skin as well as the kidneys.
Use in pregnancy is absolutely contraindicated.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Preparation & Administration
Three times a day
Fresh plant should not be ingested
Fresh plant should not be handled without gloves
Dried plant
0.12-0.3 grams
Tea
made from 1/16 tsp dried plant
Fluid extract
1:1 in 25% alcohol, 0.12-0.3 ml
Tincture
1:10 in 40% alcohol, 0.3-1 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.
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
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.
Committee on Pharmocopaeia of the Am Institute of Homeopathy, The Homeopathic Pharmacopaeia of the United States. 8th ed., Vol 1. Otis Clapp and Son, Agents, Boston, l981.
D'Amico, M.L. Richere sulla presenza di sostanze ad azione antibiotica nelle piante superiori. Fitoterapia, 26(1), 77-79, 1950.
De Martinis, M., et.al. Milk thistle (silybum marianum) derivatives in the therapy of chronic hepatopathies. Clin. Ter. 94(3). pp. 283-315. 1980.
Dodds, M.G. & R.D. Foord. 1970. Enhancement by potent diuretics of renal tubular necrosis induced by cephaloridine. British Journal of Pharmacology, 40. p. 227.
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.
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
Indocin. 1978. Product Information. Merck Sharp & Dohme.
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.
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.
Nagata, R. 1969. Drug interactions -- digitalis glycosides and kaliuresis. Hospital Form Management, 4(8). pp. 30-32.
Orzechowski, G. Pflanzliche polysaccharide zur steigerung der koerpereignenen abwehr. Die Medizinische Welt, 9 Feb 1963, 6.
Thorn, G.W. 1966. Clin considerations in the use of corticosteroids. New England J of Medicine, 274(Apr 7). pp. 775-781.
Tuttle, C.B. 1969. Drug interactions. Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, 22(5-6). pp. 2-15.
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