Bitter tonic

Monoterpenes, 10-carbon-containing terpenoids, are composed of two isoprene units, and found abundantly in plants, e.g. (+)-limonene from lemon oil, and (—)-linalool from rose oil. Many monoterpenes are the constituents of plant volatile oils or essential oils. These compounds are particularly important as flavouring agents in pharmaceutical, confectionery and perfume products. However, a number of monoterpenes show various types of bioactivity and are used in medicinal preparations. For example, camphor is used in liniments against rheumatic pain, menthol is used in ointments and liniments as a remedy against itching, bitter-orange peel is used as an aromatic bitter tonic and as a remedy for poor appetite and thymol and carvacrol are used in bactericidal preparations. 

T raditionally, milk thistle fruits have been used for disorders of the liver, spleen, and gall bladder, such as jaundice and gall bladder colic. Milk thistle has also been used for nursing mothers for stimulating milk production, as a bitter tonic, for hemorrhoids, for dyspeptic complaints, and as a demulcent in catarrh and pleurisy. It is stated to possess hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and choleretic properties (128). Current interest is focused on the hepatoprotective activity of milk thistle and its use for the treatment of liver, spleen, and gall bladder disorders (129). Recently it has been shown that silibinin reduced prostate-specific antigen levels in prostate carcinoma cells lines, indicating a possible role of silibinin in human prostate cancer (130,131). 

Of special use as a bitter tonic with suitable alteratives, etc., in rheumatism and skin diseases. Frequent wineglass doses of the 1 ounce to 1 pint infusion. Coffin recommends for dyspepsia. 

As a bitter tonic without astringency, in weakness of stomach function and indigestion generally. The infusion of 1 ounce of the powdered root to 1 pint of cold water is taken in two tablespoonful doses three or four times daily. 

Quassia wood is very commonly used as a bitter tonic and anthelmintic. 

Clerodanes involve a (C61C6) group variously linked to furan (unsaturated C40), pyran (unsaturated C50), methyleneoxy and methylenedioxy rings. Clerodanes include bitter tastants and antifeedants as exemplified by the extremely bitter component columbin of the bitter tonic made from roots of Jateorhiza columba (columba root) (Menispermaceae). 

The plants just mentioned, the blackberry, chinquapin, (Casta-nea) and dogwood to be used as astringents, the gentians, pipsissewa, Sabbatia, etc., as bitter tonics, can easily be obtained by our soldiers while in camp, and they will be found to fulfill aU the indications required in most cases of fever, dysentery, diarrhea, catarrhs, etc. In the formation of demulcent drinks, as substitutes for flaxseed and gum-arabic, the roots and leaves of the sassafras, and the leaves of the Bene (Sesamum) will suffice. The Podophyllum (wild jalap [i.e., mayapple]) will supply the purgative therefore, with the possession of opium and calomel, the surgeon in the field can himself obtain almost everything desired, and with comparatively little aid from the Medical Purveyors. Our chief desiderata now are the preparations of potash, viz nitrate chlorate and bicarbonate, and sup. carb. of soda. We may procure soda from our Salsola kali [saltwort]." 9... 

Coca has a slight bitter tonic effect as well as a stimulant action upon the central nervous system and has been used as a tonic in neurasthenia and other debilitated conditions. The danger of the formation of the habit, however, far outweighs any value the drug may possess, and the use of the crude preparation of coca seems to us hardly justifiable except under the most extraordinary conditions. The U.S. VIII, recognized a fluidextract, the dose of which was from thirty to sixty minims (2-3.9 cc.), and a wine the dose of which was two to eight fluidrachms (7.5 to 30 cc.). Source Wood 1926... 

Cinchona The dried bark of any of several species of Chinchona (especially C. ledgeriana and C. succlrubra) or their hybrids, containing the alkaloids quinine, cinchonine, quinidine. cinchontdlne. etc. It is used as a cure in malaria, as a reducer in other fevers and as a bitter tonic and stomachic. Called also Peruvian bark jesult s bark. 

Tansy Any plant of tha genus Tenacetum. The common tansy (T. vulgare) has a strong aromatic odor and a very bitter taste. It was formerly much used in cookery and In medicine as e bitter tonic. 

S. chirata is used as an effective remedy for chronic fever. The bitter principles from the plant used as bitter tonic which promotes the flow of bile, stomachic, febrifuge, anthelmintic antipyretic, laxative and galactagogue. 

Actions Herb Antibacterial, antimalarial, antifungal, immunomodulator, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, antihepatoxic, euphoriant, antiamoebic, antipyretic, gastric stimulant, choleretic, bitter tonic, smooth muscle relaxant. Root antibacterial, immunostimulant, diaphoretic, antipyretic. 

Bitter tonic Bitter-tasting substance that increases gastric secretions, tonifies the stomach, increases deficient appetite, and increases stomach acidity. These all aid deficient digestion. 

Uses As mucolytic agent for catarrhs and diarrhea, as a bitter tonic, externally for poorly healing wounds, in cosmetic products, as hair-fixing material, additives to biscuit flour, etc.. 

Rhazya stricta Decaisne (Apocynaceae) is a small shrub, growing profusely near Karacl It is used in the indigenous system of medicine as a bitter tonic, for soar throat and fever. We have previously reported twenty new alkaloids from it (ref.3). Recently we ha isolated three new indole alkaloids rhazizine (11), 15-3 hydroxyvincadifformine (12) a bhimberine acetate (13). 

Synonyms Artichoke Artichoke leaves Definition Leaves of Cynara scolymus Properties Bitter tonic flavor Uses Natural flavoring agent in alcoholic beverages... 

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