botanical name(s): Anemone pulsatilla, pulsatilla vulgaris
synonyms: pulsatilla, wind flower, pasque flower, meadow anenome, meadow windflower, Easter flower, kuchenshcelle, passe flower)
part(s) used: aerial parts (do not use fresh)
qualities: bitter, pungent, warm, dry
affinities: female reproductive tract
actions: sedative, analgesic, antispasmodic, antibacterial
dosage:
» tincture: 0.1 - 10 drops three times daily; up to 60 drops three times daily (Hoffman)
therapy: toothache, insomnia, headache, depression/irritability, nervous conditions; dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, leukorrhea, spasm in reproductive system; skin infections, respiratory tract infections, asthma
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating:
toxicity: 1; see protoanemonin toxidrome
» contraindicated for use in pregnancy; uterine stimulant and gastrointestinal irritant (De Smet, Farnsworth)
» Fresh plant is a skin/mucosal irritant causing nasal inflammation, and eye irritation with conjunctivitis. Skin contact causes erythema and blistering; prolonged contact causes vesicles and ulcers. Oral contact causes blisters on tongue, inner cheeks, lips. Pemphigus eruptions and ulcers can follow severe systemic poisoning (AMA, p. 198)
» contraindicated for nursing mothers because of its gastrointestinal irritant effect (Brinker, Brooks)
constituents: glycosides, saponins, tannins, resin
drug interactions:
footnotes
Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Brooks S (ed.). 1995. Botanical Toxicology. Protocol J Bot. Med, 1:147-58.
De Smet PAGM et al. (eds.). 1993. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 2, Berlin: Springer-Verlag
Farnsworth NR, Bingel AS, Cordell GA, Crane FA, Fong HHS. Potential Value of Plants as Sources of New Antifertility Agents I. J. Pharm. Sci., 64:535-98, 1975