Snake root plant

Alam MI, Gomes A. Snake venom neutralization by Indian medicinal plants (Vitex negundo and Emblica officinalis) root extracts. J Ethnopharmacol 2003 86 75-80. 

It is medicinally used from Korea to Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. In Korea, the plant is used as an aphrodisiac for males and the elderly. In Japan, a decoction of the root is drunk to treat cough, invigorate, and treat tuberculosis. In Taiwan, the plant is an external remedy for snake bites. In Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, the roots are used to treat bronchitis, amnesia, and to stimulate memory and urination. The antitussive property is very probably owed to polygalasaponins, which are known to abound in the plant (24-26). It would be interesting to know whether the tonic properties mentioned here are owed to serotoninergic mechanisms. What is the alkaloidal content of this herb ... 

Other plants known to contain psychoactive compounds include hellebore, which was used for centuries in Europe to treat mania, violent temper, mental retardation and epilepsy. However, a drug of major importance in modern psychopharmacology arose from the discovery by medicinal chemists of the alkaloids of Rauwolfia serpentina, a root which had been used in the Indian subcontinent for centuries, not only for the treatment of snake bite but also for alleviating "insanity". Understandably, the mechanism of action of reserpine, the alkaloid purified from Rauwolfia serpentina, helped to lay the basis to psychopharmacology by demonstrating how the depletion of central and peripheral stores of biogenic amines was correlated with a reduction in blood pressure and tranquillization. 

Achyranthes aspera (family Amaranthaceae) is an indigenous medicinal plant of Asia and is commonly used by traditional healers for the treatment of malarial fever, dysentery, asthma, hypertension and diabetes (Girach and Khan, 1992). A root extract is also used to treat scorpion and snake bites by Indian tribes. A typical yellows and small leaves symptoms... 

Anthospermum rigidum Eckl. Zeyh. [sambulela] (Rubiaceae) leaf infusion is also used for pubic lice. The leaf contains flavonoids, polyphenols and tannins (75). Studies have also shown that apart from the antibacterial properties of these plants, they also have additional medicinal values. The root bark of Andrachne ovalis shows insecticidal activity and is a remedy for snake bites and epilepsy (16,28). The alcohohc extract of the leaves is strongly molluscicidal and can be used in the vector control of hilharzia (67). The leaf decoction is used for persistent dizziness (11). The stem bark contains alkaloids, anthranoids, cardenolides and polyphenols. The root bark contains alkaloids, cardenohdes, polyphenols and saponins (50). 

Arnold Krochmal, Ph.D., in his hook Medicinal Plants of the United States, briefly mentions Gulf Coast Indians who made an infusion of the leaves and roots for dysentery and for relieving stomach pain. From the inner trunk bark, they also made poultices for insect and snake bites and skin ulcers. The Houma of Louisiana used a decoction of the root for sore eyes, high blood pressure, and kidney problems. The fruits of closely related species of palms have been used as medicine tWughout the Caribbean and the Yucatan in Mexico. Sabal japa fruit bears a close resemblance to the fruit of saw palmetto an extract of that fruit is used as a sedative and digestive stimulant. It was also used for respiratory problems and for weakness of the reproductive system. 

Ervatcunia hainanensis is a shrub endemic to South China, which is used in popular medicine for the treatment of a variety of ailments (stomach disorders, dysentery, snake bites, rheumatism, hypertension, and liver infections). The roots of this plant contain a nxunber of monomeric and dimeric alkaloids, of which the structures of three have been elucidatedthese are... 

Cabenegrius. Orally active antidotes against snake venoms isolated from the root of a South American plant called "Cabeca de Negra and structurally related to pterocarpin. q.v. Isoln. L. L. Darko el al, Eur. pat. Appl. 89,229 eidem, U.S, pat. 4,429,161 0983, 1984 both to... 

These two compounds (Table 12.1), which were considered to be potent antidotes towards snake and spider venoms, were extracted from the root of a South American plant of unidentified source but known as Cabeca de Negra. Both compounds have been synthesised in racemic form (ref.91). 

Traditional use An infusion of the roots is applied to treat tuberculosis and syphilis. A decoction, ointment, or paste is used as an anesthetic for hemorrhoids, calluses, and snake bites. Preparations of the aboveground parts are used as an antiinflammatory and diuretic, and to stimulate respiratory function, cardiovascular function, and blood circulation. A decoction is used to treat fevers, ulcers, and stomach cancer, and is apphed as compresses to treat skin cancer. A decoction of the inflorescence is used to treat rheumatism (Alimbaeva et al. 1986 Plant Resources of the USSR 1990). 

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