Herbal Monographs - Lecture Notes

Definition: Comprehensive professional documents containing scientific, botanical, and therapeutic data on specific plant species.
Purpose: Serve as a primary reference for clinicians, pharmacists, and herbalists to ensure safe and effective clinical application (Materia Medica).
Standardization: Often regulated by pharmacopoeias (e.g., USP, British Pharmacopoeia) to establish quality control parameters.

Botanical Identification: Includes high-resolution images, botanical descriptions, and official taxonomic authority.
Latin Binomial: The genus and species name (e.g., Matricaria recutita), vital for preventing species substitution.
Family Name: Indicates common phytochemical profiles (e.g., Asteraceae family plants often contain sesquiterpene lactones).
Parts Used: Specifying the plant organ (e.g., rhizome, aerial parts) as chemical profiles vary significantly across tissues.
Constituents: Detailed list of active and inactive compounds (secondary metabolites).
Actions: The physiological effects on the body (e.g., hepatoprotective, diuretic).
Pharmacology: Mechanisms of action at the molecular or cellular level.
Medicinal Uses/Indications: Specific conditions or symptoms treated, often categorized by evidence level (traditional use vs. clinical trials).
Pharmacy & Posology: Specific preparations (infusion, decoction, tincture) and dosage ranges based on body weight or age.
Safety Profile: Contraindications (when not to use), cautions (careful use), toxicity (LD50 values), and herb-drug interactions.

Volatile Oils ( 0.4\% - 1.5\% ): Includes \alpha-bisabolol, bisabolol oxides A and B, and matricin.
- Note: During steam distillation, matricin (a colorless pro-azulene) is converted into chamazulene, giving the oil its deep blue color.
Flavonoids: High concentrations of apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin.
Others: Coumarins (herniarin, umbelliferone), mucilage ( ≈ 10\% ), and tannins.

Primary: Anti-inflammatory ( ‘herbal aspirin’ ), Carminative (relaxes stomach muscles), Nervine sedative.
Secondary: Antispasmodic, Vulnerary (wound healing), Antimicrobial, Mild bitter (digestive stimulant).

Anti-inflammatory: Chamazulene and \alpha-bisabolol inhibit the 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase ( COX ) pathways, reducing leukotriene and prostaglandin synthesis.
Sedative Effect: Apigenin binds to central GABA-A benzodiazepine receptors, producing a mild anxiolytic effect without muscle relaxation or ataxia.
Anti-allergic: Azulenes inhibit the release of histamine from mast cells.

Internal: Gastrointestinal spasms, inflammatory conditions of the GI tract (gastritis, peptic ulcers), infant colic, and generalized anxiety disorder ( GAD ).
External: Eczema, inflammation of mucous membranes (mouthwash for gingivitis), and minor skin abrasions.

Infusion: 1-3 \text{ tsp} (approx. 2-4 \text{g} ) per cup of water, covered to prevent volatile oil loss, steeped 5-10 \text{ mins} , up to 3 \text{ times daily} .
Tincture (1:5 in 45% ethanol): 1-4 \text{ ml} TID (Total Daily Intravenous dose).
Topical: 3\% - 10\% preparations in creams or salves.

Hypersensitivity: Potential cross-reactivity in individuals allergic to other Asteraceae members (ragweed, daisy, marigold).
Pregnancy: Generally considered safe, but excessive intake of essential oil is cautioned due to potential emmenagogue effects.

Synergy: May potentiate the effects of other CNS depressants (alcohol, benzodiazepines).
Anticoagulants: Theoretical risk of increased bleeding time due to coumarin content, though clinically rare with standard infusions.
CYP450: High doses may inhibit CYP3A4 enzymes in the liver, affecting drug metabolism.