208 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs Dosages (Coffee) — g crude coffee charcoal/day; the single dose averaging g (KOM) (I suspect that thoroughly carbonized charcoal is pretty well devoid of methyl xanthines); g powdered coffee/720 ml water (TRA); 100–200 mg caffeine or 1.5 cups coffee for bronchodilation (TRA); 250–500 mg caffeine = cups coffee for achlorhydria (TRA) C Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Coffee) — Commission E reports interactions (but talking more about carbonized coffee charcoal than instant or real coffee): absorption of other drugs (and minerals and vitamins) taken simultaneously might be reduced (AEH) Coffee has been implicated in loss of calcium and magnesium in bones, which bodes ominous for osteoporosis candidates It can also inhibit or interfere with iron absorption and help elevate cholesterol (JLR1(8):4 1995) Toxicologically harmless (up to cups or 500 mg caffeine) for healthy adults habituated to coffee (but hypertensive in neophytes taking 250 g coffee (1.25 cups), increasing systolic blood pressure some 10 mm Hg) Gruenwald et al cautions are not exactly the same echos I am used to They advise caution for those with disposition to convulsions and certain psychic disorders (such as panic anxiety), nephrosis, sensitive cardiovascular system, and thyroid hyperfunction Side effects attributed in part to chlorogenic acid may include diarrhea, hyperacidity, inappetence, and stomach irritation Chronic consumption of >1500 mg/day can lead to diarrhea, dizziness, headache, inappetence, irritability, palpitations, restlessness, sleeplessness, and vomiting Higher doses lead to arrhythmic spasms of different muscle groups, arrhythmic tachycardia, and opisthotonos But not to worry! Fatal poisonings “are not conceivable.” They reiterate the reported death of a child after ingesting 5300 mg caffeine Ironically, that coffee charcoal that Commission E promotes for mussy mucosa might be the best antidote, along with sorbitol, for overdoses of caffeine Nursing mothers may pass caffeine-induced insomnia to the nursing baby Pregnant women should avoid caffeine, never exceeding 300 mg caffeine spread out over the day (PHR) LD50 caffeine = 5–10 g orl human (TRA) Extracts (Coffee) — Not exactly an extract, the carbonized charcoal is described as absorbent and astringent, like most charcoals I hope that physicians will understand what is said in the Herbal PDR, speaking of caffeine and not the charcoal, “it also increases the psychomotor stamina” (PHR) Chlorogenic acid, like caffeine alone, can double gastric secretion (PHR) In hamsters, 20% green coffee bean in diet impedes DMBA-induced tumors COFFEE SENNA (Senna occidentalis (L.) Link.) + Synonym — Cassia occidentalis L Activities (Coffee Senna) — Abortifacient (f; JFM; ZUL); Analgesic (f; ZUL); Anthelminthic (1; TRA; ZUL); Antibacterial (1; WO2; ZUL); Antidiuretic (f; JFM); Antiedemic (1; TRA); Antiinflammatory (1; TRA; WO2); Antipyretic (f; ZUL); Antiseptic (1; TRA; ZUL); Antispasmodic (f; JFM); Cardiotoxic (1; AAB); Cholagogue (1; TRA; ZUL); Cicatrizant (f; ZUL); Depurative (f; JFM; TRA); Diaphoretic (f; WO2); Diuretic (1; WO2; ZUL); Expectorant (f; WO2); Fungicide (1; FNF; WO2; ZUL); Hemostat (f; ZUL); Hepatoprotective (1; TRA); Hypotensive (1; JFM; TRA); Laxative (1; TRA; ZUL); Stomachic (f; WO2); Tonic (f; ZUL); Vermifuge (1; WO2) Indications (Coffee Senna) — Aging (f; ZUL); Anemia (f; ZUL); Asthma (f; WO2); Bacteria (1; WO2; ZUL); Bed Wetting (f; JFM); Blennorrhagia (f; ZUL); Biliousness (f; ZUL); Bleeding (f; ZUL); Bone Ache (f; IED); Bronchosis (f; IED; ZUL); Bug Bite (f; ZUL); Cardiopathy (f; JFM; ZUL); Caries (f; IED); Cataract (f; IED; JFM); Catarrh (f; IED); Childbirth (f; JFM; ZUL); Cirrhosis (f; WO2); Colic (f; IED); Conjunctivosis (f; IED); Constipation (1; TRA; ZUL); Convulsion (f; WO2; ZUL); Cough (f; ZUL); Cramp (f; IED; JFM; WO2); Debility (f; AAB); Dermatosis (f; DEM; TRA; WO2); Diabetes (f; WO2); Diarrhea (f; WO2); Dysentery (f; WO2); Dysmenorrhea (f; AAB; JFM); Edema (1; JFM; TRA); Encephalosis (1; WO2); Enterosis (f; IED; ZUL); Epilepsy (f; IED); Fatigue (f; WO2); Fever (f; AAB; WO2; ZUL); Flu (f; AAB); Fracture (f; WO2); Fungus (1; FNF; WO2; ZUL); Gastrosis (f; ZUL); Gonorrhea (f; WO2); Gout (f; ZUL); Guinea Worm (f; Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 209 ZUL); Headache (f; TRA; WO2); Heart (f; JFM); Hematuria (f; WO2); Hepatosis (1; JFM; TRA; WO2); High Blood Pressure (1; JFM; TRA); Hysteria (f; JFM; WO2); Infection (1; FNF; WO2; ZUL); Inflammation (1; TRA; WO2); Itch (f; WO2); Jaundice (f; JFM); Leprosy (f; WO2); Lice (f; ZUL); Malaria (f; ZUL); Mycosis (1; FNF; WO2; ZUL); Nephrosis (f; ZUL); Ophthalmia (f; ZUL); Orchosis (f; ZUL); Pain (f; AAB; ZUL); Palpitation (f; JFM); Pertussis (f; WO2); Rheumatism (f; JFM); Ringworm (1; FNF; JFM); Snakebite (f; ZUL); Sore (f; ZUL); Sprain (f; WO2); Steatorrhea (f; WO2); Stomachache (f; ZUL); Swelling (1; TRA; WO2); Syphilis (f; ZUL); Tumor (f; JFM); Typhoid (f; WO2); VD (f; JFM); Virus (1; WO2); Water Retention (1; WO2; ZUL); Womb (f; JFM); Worm (1; WO2; ZUL); Wound (f; WO2; ZUL) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Coffee Senna) — May cause cardiomyopathy in rabbits Chrysarobin and toxalbumin may cause kidney and liver damage Contains the COX-2Inhibitor, apigenin COLA (Cola spp.) ++ Activities (Cola) — Analeptic (1; KOM; PHR; PH2); Anorectic (1; CRC; PHR); Antidepressant (f; CAN); Antiseptic (1; CRC); Antiviral (1; CRC); Aphrodisiac (f; APA; CRC); Astringent (1; APA; CAN); Bronchodilator (1; APA; BGB); Carcinogenic (1; CRC); Cardiotonic (1; CAN; CRC); CNS-stimulant (1; BGB; CAN; CRC; PH2); Digestive (f; CRC; PH2); Diuretic (1; APA; CAN; CRC; PH2); Euphoriant (1; CRC); Gastrostimulant (1; PHR; PH2); Lipolytic (1; KOM; PHR; PH2); Mutagenic (1; CRC); Nervine (1; CRC); Poison (1; CRC); Positive Chronotropic (1; PHR; PH2); Stimulant (1; APA; FNF); Stomachic (f; CRC); Teratogenic (f; CRC); Thymoleptic (1; CAN); Tonic (f; CRC) Indications (Cola) — Anorexia (1; APA; CAN); Apnea (1; BGB); Asthma (1; APA; BGB); Atony (f; CAN); Cancer (f; CRC); COPD (1; BGB); Depression (f; APA; CAN); Diarrhea (1; APA; CAN; CRC; PH2); Dysentery (1; CAN; CRC); Dyspepsia (f; APA; CRC); Fatigue (2; APA; CAN; KOM; PH2); Flu (1; CRC); Headache (1; APA); Herpes (1; CRC); Hunger (1; BGB; CRC; PH2); Infection (1; CRC); Inflammation (f; PHR; PH2); Lethargy (1; APA); Malaria (f; CRC); Melancholy (f; CAN); Migraine (1; APA; CAN; CRC; PH2); Morning Sickness (f; PHR; PH2); Myosis (1; CAN); Nausea (f; CRC); Neuralgia (1; APA; CRC; HHB); Obesity (1; CRC); Polio (1; CRC); Thirst (f; BGB; CRC; PH2); Toothache (f; CRC); Tumor (f; CRC); Virus (1; CRC); Water Retention (1; APA; CAN; CRC; PH2); Wound (f; PHR; PH2) Dosages (Cola) — 1–2 tsp powdered seed/cup water, up to ×/day (APA); 1–3 g powdered seed (PNC); 2–6 g seed/day (PHR); 0.5–1 dropper full seed tincture or concentrate (APA); 1–3 g herb as tea ×/day (CAN); 0.6–1.2 ml liquid extract (1:1 in 60% ethanol) (CAN); 1–4 ml tincture (1:5 in 60% alcohol) (CAN); 25–750 mg cola extract (PHR); 1–4 ml kola tincture (PNC); 10–30 g cola tincture (PHR); 60–120 g cola wine; 0.6–1.2 ml liquid seed extract (PNC) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Cola) — Class 2b, 2d (AHP) Commission E reports contraindications: gastric and duodenal ulcers; adverse effects: trouble sleeping, hyperexcitability, nervousness; interactions: effect enhanced by psychoanaleptic drugs and caffeinecontaining beverages (AEH) CNS stimulant, GI irritant Contraindicated in high blood pressure, and gastric and duodenal ulcers Not recommended for excessive or prolonged use (they seem to say this about most caffeine-containing plants) (AHP) CAN cautions that xanthine-containing beverages may cause anxiety, insomnia, palpitations, tremors, and withdrawal headaches Because of the caffeine, consumption should be restricted in pregnancy and lactation, and in patients with hypertension and cardiac problems “As with all xanthine containing beverages, excessive consumption by lactating mothers should be avoided” (CAN) Cola-containing beverages are said to “provide active doses of caffeine” (CAN) Caffeine has many reported activities, many perhaps shared synergistically with theophylline and theobromine C 210 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs COLEUS (Plectranthus barbatus Andrews) ++ Synonyms — Coleus barbatus (Andrews) Benth., Coleus forskohlii auct., P forskohlii auct C Activities (Coleus) — Adrenergic (1; KEB); Antiaggregant (1; APA; KEB); Anticancer (f; APA); Antidepressant (f; APA); Antidiuretic (1; APA); Antiglaucomic (1; KEB); Antimetastatic (f; APA; KEB); Antispasmodic (1; APA); Bronchodilator (1; APA; KEB); Bronchospasmolytic (1; KEB); cAMP-genic (1; APA; KEB); Cardiotonic (1; APA; KEB); CNS-Depressant (1; APA); Gastrostimulant (1; APA); Gluconeogenic (1; KEB); Glycogenolytic (1; KEB); Hypotensive (1; APA; KEB; SKJ); Immunosuppressant (1; APA); Lipolytic (1; KEB); Myorelaxant (1; APA); Neurogenic (1; APA); Pancreatostimulant (1; KEB); Positive Inotropic (1; KEB); Secretagogue (1; APA; KEB); Sialagogue (1; KEB); Thyrotropic (1; AKT; KEB); Vasodilator (1; KEB) Indications (Coleus) — Asthma (1; APA; KEB); Cancer (f; APA); Cardiopathy (1; APA; KEB); Congestive Heart Failure (1; APA); Convulsion (f; APA); Cramp (1; APA); Depression (f; APA); Dermatosis (f; APA); Dyspepsia (f; KEB); Dysuria (f; APA); Eczema (f; APA); Glaucoma (1; APA; KEB); High Blood Pressure (1; APA; KEB; SKJ); Hypothyroidism (f; APA; KEB); Infertility (f; KEB); Insomnia (f; APA); Ischemia (1; KEB); Myocardosis (1; KEB); Obesity (1; KEB); Psoriasis (f; APA; KEB); Respirosis (f; APA); Thrombosis (1; KEB); Water Retention (1; APA) Dosages (Coleus) — 50 mg StX (18% forskolin = mg forskolin) 2–3 ×/day (APA); 6–12 g/day dry root or 6–12 ml fluid extract (1:1) (KEB) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Coleus) — Not covered (AHP; KOM; PHR) I think of this as a food farmaceutical containing a powerful drug with many activities But as Albert Leung so often and skillfully reminds us, the plant does not necessarily share the activities of its best known chemical constituent (present in tubers at levels ca 0.45%) Contraindicated in hypotension Forskolin may potentiate other drugs Forskolin acts synergistically with calcitonin in inhibiting osteoclastic activity Acts synergistically with hawthorn, which probably inhibits phosphodiesterase, which breaks down cAMP Combining coleus and hawthorn should raise cAMP levels by stimulating production and inhibiting decomposition of cAMP Responses to forskolin are reduced in muscle cells of failing hearts, but since forskolin also raises cAMP, it renders the coleus possibly useful even here COLOCYNTH, BITTER APPLE, WILD GOURD (Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.) X Synonyms — Colocynthis vulgaris Schrad., Cucumis colocynthis L Activities (Colocynth) — Abortifacient (f; CRC; WBB); Acaricide (1; BIB); Alterative (f; KAP; MPI); Anthelminthic (f; WO2); Antiaggregant (1; WO2); Antibacterial (1; WO2); Anticholinergic (1; MPI; WO2); Antihistaminic (1; KAB; MPI; WO2); Antipyretic (f; BIB; CRC; KAB); Bitter (1; KAB); Cardiodepressant (1 WO2); Carminative (f; CRC; KAB; WO2); Depurative (f; WO2); Diuretic (1; KAP; MPI; WO2); Ecbolic (f; BIB; CRC); Emetic (1; MPI); Emmenagogue (f; CRC; WBB); Expectorant (1; MPI; WO2); Hepatoprotective (1; WO2); Herbicide (1; WO2); Hydragogue (f; CRC); Hypoglycemic (1; WO2); Insecticide (1; BIB; KAP; WBB; WO2); Irritant (1; PH2); Laxative (1; CRC; MPI; PHR; PH2; WBB); Mucoirritant (1; PHR); Negative Chronotropic (1; MPI); Negative Inotropic (1; MPI); Nematicide (1; WO2); Poison (1; PHR); Protisticide (1; WO2); Repellant (f; CRC); Uterorelaxant (1; WO2); Vermifuge (1; BIB; CRC) Indications (Colocynth) — Adenopathy (f; CRC; JLH); Alopecia (f; WBB); Amenorrhea (f; BIB; CRC); Anemia (f; CRC; KAB); Arthrosis (f; CRC); Ascites (f; CRC; KAP; PH2; WBB); Asthma (f; CRC; KAB); Bacteria (1; WO2); Biliousness (f; BIB; CRC; KAP); Bite (f; KAP; WBB); Blood (f; WO2); Breast (f; CRC); Bronchosis (f; CRC; KAB); Cancer (f; CRC; KAB); Cancer, abdomen Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 211 (f; CRC; JLH); Cancer, bladder (f; CRC; JLH); Cancer, breast (f; CRC; JLH); Cancer, colon (f; CRC; JLH); Cancer, eye (f; CRC); Cancer, liver (f; CRC); Cancer, sinew (f; CRC; JLH); Cancer, spleen (f; CRC); Carcinoma (f; CRC); Catarrh (f; HHB); Childbirth (f; KAB; PH2); Cholecystosis (f; PHR; PH2); Colic (f; KAP); Constipation (1; CRC; PHR); Corn (f; CRC; JLH); Cough (f; WO2); Cramp (f; HHB; WO2); Cystosis (f; HHB; JLH); Debility (f; CRC); Diabetes (1; BIB; WO2); Dropsy (f; BIB; CRC; KAP); Dysmenorrhea (f; HHB); Dyspepsia (f; CRC; KAB); Dysuria (f; CRC; KAP; WBB); Elephantiasis (f; CRC; KAB; PH2); Encephalosis (f; CRC); Endothelioma (f; CRC; JLH); Enterosis (f; KAP; WO2); Epilepsy (f; CRC; KAP; WBB); Epithelioma (f; JLH); Fetal Atrophy (f; CRC); Fever (f; BIB; CRC; KAB; WO2); Frostbite (f; BIB; CRC); Gangrene (f; CRC; WO2); Gas (f; CRC; KAB; WO2); Glaucoma (f; KAP); Gray Hair (f; KAP; WO2); Headache (f; WO2); Hemicrania (f; CRC; KAB); Hemorrhoid (f; CRC; WO2); Hepatosis (f; KAP; PHR; PH2; WO2); Hyperglycemia (1; WO2); Induration (f; JLH); Infection (1; WBB); Inflammation (f; CRC; WO2); Jaundice (f; BIB; CRC; WBB); Leishmaniasis (1; WO2); Leprosy (f; CRC); Leukemia (f; CRC; JLH); Leukoderma (f; CRC); Migraine (f; KAB; WO2); Nephrosis (f; HHB); Neuralgia (f; HHB; KAP; WO2); Neurosis (f; HHB); Ophthalmia (f; CRC; WO2); Pain (f; JLH); Paralysis (f; WO2); Parasite (f; KAP); Pharyngosis (f; CRC; KAB); Protozoa (1; WO2); Rheumatism (f; CRC; KAB; KAP; WBB); Sarcoma (f; JLH); Sciatica (f; KAP); Scirrhus (f; JLH); Snakebite (f; CRC); Splenomegaly (f; CRC); Sting (f; WBB); Swelling (f; WO2); Throat (f; CRC); Ticks (1; BIB); Tumor (f; CRC); Urogenitosis (f; BIB; WO2); Uterosis (f; CRC; KAB); Varicosis (f; BIB; CRC; WO2); Water Retention (1; KAP; MPI; WO2); Worm (1; BIB; CRC; WO2); Wound (f; CRC; WO2) Dosages (Colocynth) — 120–300 mg individually/day; up to 600 mg/day (HHB); 0.2–0.4 g root powder (KAP); 3–10 ml root tea (KAP); 0.1–0.4 g fruit powder (KAP); homeopathic dilutions only (JAD); allopathic doses no longer defensible (PH2) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Colocynth) — The purgative action is so drastic as to have caused fatalities One woman who took 120 g to induce abortion died in 50 hours In case of poisoning, stomach evacuation is recommended, followed by oral or rectal administration of tincture of opium, followed by stimulating and mucilaginous beverages (CRC) Toxic doses (600–1000 mg) may cause colic, diarrhea, hematchezia, nephrosis, and vomiting; lethal doses (as low as g) may cause convulsions, paralysis, and possibly death due to circulatory collapse (PH2) COLOMBO (Jateorhiza palmata (Lam.) Miers) + Synonyms — Cocculus palmatus DC, Jateorhiza calumba Miers., J miersii Oliv., Menispermum palmatum Lam Activities (Colombo) — Anthelminthic (f; EFS); Antiseptic (f; EFS); Aperitif (f; EFS); Bitter (f; WOI); CNS-Paralytic (1; HH2; WOI); Emetic (1; WOI); Fungicide (1; HHB); Gastrotonic (f; EFS); Hypotensive (1; WOI); Laxative (f; WOI); Narcotic (f; PH2); Stomachic (f; WOI); Tonic (1; WOI) Indications (Colombo) — Anorexia (f; EFS); Cholera (f; HHB); Colitis (f; PH2); Constipation (f; WOI); Diarrhea (f; HH2; PH2; WOI); Dysentery (f; WOI); Dyspepsia (f; HH2; PH2; WOI); Enterosis (f; PH2); Fungus (1; HHB); Gastrosis (f; PH2; WOI); High Blood Pressure (1; WOI); Infection (1; HHB); Mycosis (1; HHB); Pulmonosis (f; HH2); Sore (f; WOI) Dosages (Colombo) — 0.5–2 g/day (HHB); tbsp decoction every hours (PH2); g colombo wine (PH2); 20 drops liquid extract (PH2) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Colombo) — Not covered (AHP) “Hazards and/or side effects not recorded for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2) High doses can lead to signs of paralysis and unconsciousness (PH2) LD50 (extract) = 2400–5000 mg/kg orl mouse (HH2) C 212 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs COLORADO FOUR O’CLOCK (Mirabilis multiflora (Torr.) A Gray) + Synonyms — Oxybaphus multiflorus Torr., Quamoclidion multiflorum (Torr.) A Gray C Activities (Colorado Four O’Clock) — Anorectic (f; DEM); Antiseptic (f; DEM); Hallucinogen (1; CRC); Narcotic (1; CRC) Indications (Colorado Four O’Clock) — Childbirth (f; DEM); Divination (f; CRC); Dropsy (f; DEM); Gastrosis (f; CRC); Hunger (f; DEM); Plethora (f; DEM); Stomachache (f; CRC); Rheumatism (f; DEM); Swelling (f; DEM); Wound (f; DEM) COLTSFOOT (Tussilago farfara L.) + Activities (Coltsfoot) — Antiaggregant (1; APA; CAN); Antibacterial (1; CAN; CRC; PH2); Anticholinergic (f; CRC); Antiedemic (1; CAN; HH2); Antihistaminic (f; CRC; FAD); Antiinflammatory (2; CAN; KOM; PH2); Antiirritant (2; PHR); Antimitotic (2; KOM); Antispasmodic (1; CAN; CRC; HH2); Antitussive (1; CAN; CRC; DAA); Calcium Antagonist (1; CAN); CallusPromoter (2; KOM); Carcinogenic (1; APA; CRC; PH2); Cardiotonic (1; CAN); CNS-Depressant (1; DAA); Collyrium (f; CRC); Demulcent (1; CAN; CRC; FAD; PH2); Diaphoretic (f; CRC; MAD; PIP); Diuretic (f; CRC; PIP); Emollient (f; CRC); Expectorant (1; CAN; CRC; FAD); Fumitory (f; PH2); Hemostat (f; CRC); Hepatotoxic (1; APA; CAN; FAD; PH2); Hypertensive (1; APA); Immunostimulant (1; CAN); Pectoral (f; CRC; MAD); Phagocytotic (1; CAN); Respirotonic (1; CAN); Tonic (f; CRC); Vulnerary (1; PIP) Indications (Coltsfoot) — Adenopathy (f; PHR; PIP); Ague (f; CRC); Anorexia (F; MAD); Apoplexy (f; CRC; DAA); Asthma (1; APA; CAN; GMH; PHR); Bacteria (1; CAN; CRC; DAA; PH2); Bleeding (f; CRC); Bronchosis (2; CAN; FAD; KOM; PH2); Cancer (f; CRC); Cancer, liver (f; JLH); Cancer, lung (f; CRC; LMP); Carbuncle (f; HAD); Catarrh (2; CAN; CRC; GMH; KOM); Cold (2; CRC; PIP); Congestion (f; CRC; FAD; LMP); Cough (2; FAD; GMH; KOM; PH2; PIP); Cramp (1; CAN; CRC; HH2); Diarrhea (f; CRC; POP); Dyspepsia (f; CRC); Dysphagia (f; DAA); Edema (1; HH2); Emphysema (f; HH2); Enterosis (f; FEL); ... “provide active doses of caffeine” (CAN) Caffeine has many reported activities, many perhaps shared synergistically with theophylline and theobromine C 210 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs COLEUS (Plectranthus... dosages” (PH2) High doses can lead to signs of paralysis and unconsciousness (PH2) LD50 (extract) = 2400–5000 mg/kg orl mouse (HH2) C 212 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs COLORADO FOUR O’CLOCK (Mirabilis... WO2); Breast (f; CRC); Bronchosis (f; CRC; KAB); Cancer (f; CRC; KAB); Cancer, abdomen Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 211 (f; CRC; JLH); Cancer, bladder (f; CRC; JLH); Cancer, breast (f; CRC; JLH);