-IBIS-1.5.0-

rx

herb

Delphinium staphysagria (Stavesacre)

botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Delphinium staphysagria (also spelled "staphisagria")

synonyms: stavesacre

part(s) used: ripe seeds

qualities:

affinities:

actions: analgesic, parasiticide, sedative

dosage: external use only as lotion or ointment

specific indications: irritation and chronic inflammatory conditions of the genitourinary tract; painful, scalding micturition; prostatorrhea; urinary incontinence of older men; urethral irritation, with a sensation of incomplete urethral evacuation; menstrual derangements, with long intermenstrual intervals, and prolonged flow; spermatorrhea in anemic subjects; depression of spirits; hypochondriasis; hysteria, with uterine or ovarian irritation, despondence, moroseness, and violent outbursts of passion; black specks before the eyes in reading; mental irritability and restlessness in painful and exhaustive diseases; uterine disorders, with feeble pelvic circulation, deep-seated soreness, dragging, and bearing-down pains; leukorrhea; painful urination (Felter and Lloyd, p. 1832)

therapy:

» external: destruction of pediculi; for scabies

» internal: sexual disorders when accompanied by nervous depression or marked irritability (Felter and Scudder, p. 654)

toxicity: 3; see alkaloid toxidrome

» treatment of overdose: body warming (internally and externally), administration of atropine 0.05 mg/kg body weight, 2 - 3 mg total dose, and a potassium permanganate (1:1000) gastric lavage (Levy and Primack, p. 120; Theines and Haley, p. 24; Cooper, et al; Turnball)

» local applications of alcohol-based tinctures can cause eczema; handling leaves and seeds may produce contact dermatitis (Hardin, pp. 12 - 15; Muenscher, p. 8)

» Ingestion can lead to a burning sensation, dryness of the mouth, stiffness of facial muscles, nausea, eructations, and involuntary urination and defecation. Systemic spread of the toxins results in pruritus, burning throughout; tinnitus, followed by somnolence and unconsciousness then occur. Severe cases will consist of hypotension, circulatory collapse and labored respirations leading to cyanosis and death (Turnball; von Oettingen, p. 324).

» Curare-like effects have been noted (Simpson and Curtis, pp. 104 - 105)

constituents: diterpene alkaloids

footnotes

Cooper, J.R., Bloom, F.E., Roth, R.H. 1986. The Biochemical Basis of Pharmacology, 5th ed. New York: Oxford University Press.

Felter, H. W., and Lloyd, J. U. 1983. King's American Dispensatory, Vols. I and II. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Felter, H.W. & Scudder, John K., 1922. The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Cincinnati, Ohio. Reprinted in 1985 by Eclectic Medical Publications, Portland, OR.

Hardin, J. W.; and Arena, J.M. 1974. Human Poisoning from Native Cultivated Plants, 2nd ed. Durham, NC: Duke University Press.

Levy, C.K.; and Primack, R.B. 1984. A Field Guide to Poisonous Plants and Mushrooms of North America. The Stephen Green Press.

Muenscher, W.C. 1951. Poisonous Plants of the United States. New York: The MacMillan Company.

Simpson, L.L., Curtis, D.R. 1977. Neuropoisons; Their Pathophysiological Actions. New York: Plenum Press.

Thienes, C.H., Haley, T.J. 1975. Clinical Toxicology. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger.

Turnball, A. 1838. On the Medical Properties of the Natural Order Ranunculaceae. Philadelphia: Haswell, Barrington and Haswell.

von Oettingen, W.F. 1958. Poisoning: A Guide to Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders and Company.

Poisonous Plants of the United States. New York: The MacMillan Company.

Simpson, L.L., Curtis, D.R. 1977. Neuropoisons; Their Pathophysiological Actions. New York: Plenum Press.

Thienes, C.H., Haley, T.J. 1975. Clinical Toxicology. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger.

Turnball, A. 1838. On the Medical Properties of the Natural Order Ranunculaceae. Philadelphia: Haswell, Barrington and Haswell.

von Oettingen, W.F. 1958. Poisoning: A Guide to Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders and Company.

s and Treatment. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders and Company.