FALSE UNICORN ROOT (Chamaelirium luteum (L.) A. Gray (Melanthiaceae))

HERBAL

MEDICINAL

PLANT

----------------------------------------------------------

FALSE UNICORN ROOT

Chamaelirium luteum  (L.) A. Gray

(Melanthiaceae)

BY

RETTODWIKART THENU

FALSE UNICORN ROOT

 (fawls yew’nuh-kawrn rewt)

Chamaelirium luteum (L.) A. Gray

(Melanthiaceae) +

SUMMARY AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMMENT

The chemistry of false unicorn is poorly documented and no scientific evidence was located to justify the herbal uses. In view of this and the lack of toxicity data, the use of false unicorn should be avoided.

  

OTHER COMMON NAMES

Blazing star, devil’s bit, drooping starwort, fairy-wand, fairywart, helonias dioica, helonias root, rattlesnake, starwort

SPECIES (FAMILY)

Chamaelirium luteum (L.) A. Gray (Melanthiaceae)

SYNONYM(S)

Blazing Star, Chamaelirium carolianum Wild., Devil's-bit, Helonias,

Helonias dioica (Walter) Pursh., Helonias lutea (L.) Ker Gawl., Starwort, Veratrum luteum L.

Helonias dioica; and in the PH2, Veratrum luteum.

ORIGIN

False unicorn root is a lily found in the eastern region of the United States.

Chamaelirium luteum is a threatened species.

PHARMACOPODIAL AND OTHER MONOGRAPHS

BHP 1996(G9)

Martindale 35th edition(G85)

LEGAL CATEGORY (LICENSED PRODUCTS)

GSL(G37)

CONSTITUENTS

The following is compiled from several sources, including General References G40 and G48.

Limited chemical information is available on false unicorn. It is stated to contain a steroidal saponin glycoside, chamaelirin, and another glycoside helonin.

USES

USES

False unicorn root has been used as a treatment for morning sickness and menstrual irregularities such as amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, as a uterine and liver tonic, and as a diuretic, an emetic, and a genitourinary stimulant. It is used for ovarian cysts and infertility.

FOOD USE

False unicorn is not used in foods.

HERBAL USE

False unicorn is stated to possess an action on the uterus. Traditionally it has been used for ovarian dysmenorrhoea,

leucorrhoea and specifically for amenorrhoea. It is reported to be useful for vomiting of pregnancy and threatened miscarriage.(G7, G8,G64)

 

Figure 1. False unicorn (Chamaelirium luteum).

  

Figure 2. False unicorn – dried drug substance (root).

 

Figure 3. Primary Chemical Components and Possible Actions

ACTIONS

Very little research is available on false unicorn root. A few very old articles, ranging from the early 1900s to the mid-1940s, compose most of the available information. The cited studies examined the gonadotropic effects of this herb on rats and its action on the uterus of the guinea pig and dog. These studies were unable to confi rm any of the proposed actions of false unicorn root. One study (Brandt, 1996) proposes that the herb stimulates human chorionic gonadotropin.

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS

CLINICAL STUDIES

There is a lack of clinical research assessing the effects of centaury and rigorous randomised controlled clinical trials are required.

ACTIVITIES

Antihydrotic (f; HHB); Aperitif (f; FAD); Diuretic (f; APA; EFS; PH2); Emetic (f; APA); Emmenagogue (1; APA; EFS; FNF); Estrogenic (1; APA; FNF); Laxative (f; APA); Mastogenic (1; FNF); Oxytocic (1; PH2); Tonic (f; APA); Uterotonic (1; FAD; FNF; MAD); Vermifuge (1; EFS; PH2).

INDICATIONS

Albuminuria (f; MAD); Amenorrhea (1; APA; FNF; MAD); Anemia (f; MAD); Anorexia (f; FAD); Backache (f; MAD); Cervicosis (f; MAD); Childbirth (f; MAD); Climacteric (f; HHB); Colic (f; FAD); Constipation (f; APA); Cystosis (f; MAD); Debility (f; MAD); Dysmenorrhea (1; APA; FNF; PH2); Dyspepsia (f; APA; FAD); Endometriosis (f; MAD); Fever (f; APA; HHB); Hepatosis (f; APA); Infertility (1; APA; FNF); Leukorrhea (f; APA; MAD); Menopause (1; APA; FNF); Menorrhagia (f; MAD); Metritis (f; MAD); Miscarriage (threatened) (1; APA; FNF); Morning Sickness (1; CAN; FNF); Nephrosis (f; MAD); Neurasthenia (f; MAD); Pain (f; APA); Parturition (1; APA; FNF); Pregnancy (f; PH2); Prolapse (f; MAD); Prostatosis (f; APA); Spermatorrhea (f; HHB); Uterosis (f; MAD); Water Retention (f; APA; EFS; PH2); Worm (f; APA; EFS; FAD; PH2); (not considered by KOM; PH2).

PRODUCT AVAILABILITY

Chopped root, dried root, tincture

PLANT PART USED: Roots

DOSAGES

DOSAGES

·         Adult PO decoction: 1-2 tsp herb in 1 cup water, simmer 10-15 min, strain, drink tid

·         Adult PO tincture: 2-4 ml (1:5) tid

·         Adult PO liquid extract: 1-2 ml (1:10) tid (Jellin et al, 2008)

·         Adult PO dried root: 1-2 g tid (Jellin et al, 2008)

DOSAGES

Dosages for oral administration (adults) for traditional uses recommended in standard herbal reference texts are given below.

·         Dried rhizome/root   1–2 g as an infusion three times daily.(G7)

·         Liquid extract   1–2mL (1 : 1 in 45% alcohol) three times daily.(G7)

·         Tincture   2–5mL (1 : 5 in 45% alcohol) three times daily.(G7)

DOSAGES

2–4 ml liquid root extract (APA; PNC); 1–2 g root as tea 3 ×/day (CAN); 1–2 ml liquid root extract (1:1 in 45% ethanol) 3 ×/day (CAN); 2–5 ml root tincture (1:5 in 45% ethanol) 3 ×/day (CAN).

CONTRAINDICATIONS, INTERACTIONS, AND SIDE EFFECTS

CLASS 2B. Emmenagogue, GI irritant, and uterotonic (AHP). “Health hazards not known with proper therapeutic

dosages” (PH2) (but PH2 designates no specific quantified dosage! JAD). Overdosage with saponins can cause gastric distress. Large doses may cause nausea and vomiting (CAN). Avoid during pregnancy (FAD; PH2). Canadian regulations do not allow it as an ingredient in oral use products (Michols, 1995).

CONTRA-INDICATIONS, WARNINGS

None documented.

Drug interactions None documented. However, in view of the lack of phytochemical and pharmacological information for false unicorn, the potential for preparations of false unicorn to interact with other medicines administered concurrently, particularly those with similar or opposing effects, should still be considered.

Pregnancy and lactation The safety of false unicorn has not been established. In view of the lack of phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicity data, and its reputed action as a uterine tonic, the use of false unicorn during pregnancy and lactation should be avoided.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Pregnancy category is 3; Breastfeeding category is 2A.

False unicorn should not be given to children. Persons with hypersensitivity to false unicorn root should not use it.

SIDE EFFECTS/ADVERSE REACTIONS

GI: Nausea, vomiting (large doses)

INTEG: Hypersensitivity reactions

SIDE-EFFECTS, TOXICITY

There is a lack of clinical safety and toxicity data for false unicorn and further investigation of these aspects is required. It is stated that large doses of false unicorn may cause nausea and vomiting.(G7)

CLIENT CONSIDERATIONS

ASSESS

·         Assess the reason the client is using false unicorn root.

·         Assess for hypersensitivity reactions. If present, discontinue use of this herb and administer an antihistamine or other appropriate therapy.

ADMINISTER

·         Instruct the client to store products containing false unicorn root in a cool, dry place, away from heat and moisture.

TEACH CLIENT/FAMILY

·         Inform the client that pregnancy category is 3 and breastfeeding category is 2A.

·         Caution the client that false unicorn root should not be given to children.

·         Inform the client that very little research is available to confi rm any of the uses of false unicorn root.

PREPARATIONS

PROPRIETARY MULTI-INGREDIENT PREPARATIONS

Australia: Nervatona Plus. UK: Period Pain Relief.

REFERENCE

Barnes, J., Anderson, L. A., and Phillipson, J. D. 2007. Herbal Medicines Third Edition. Pharmaceutical Press. Auckland and London.

Duke, J. A. with Mary Jo Bogenschutz-Godwin, Judi duCellier, Peggy-Ann K. Duke. 2002. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 2nd Ed. CRC Press LLC. USA.

Linda S-Roth. 2010. Mosby’s Handbook Of Herbs & Natural Supplements, Fourth Edition. Mosby Elsevier. USA.