Snakebites

Sambucus ebulus. Grows to 4 feet in Eurasia and northern Africa also grows in eastern and central U.S. Also known as dwarf elder, Dane s elder. Its black berries are toxic. Good dye source. The root has a history of being used to treat snakebite. 

But that was only one half of the logic behind the chemical-imbalance theory. The other half came from studies of reserpine, a drug that was extracted from Rauvolfia serpentina or the Indian snakeroot plant, which had historically been used to treat snakebite, hypertension, insomnia and insanity. In studies of animals, reserpine was reported to induce sedation and to decrease brain levels of norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine. Clinical reports indicated that some people became severely depressed when taking reserpine.14 Putting these two findings together, it seemed likely that reserpine made people depressed because it decreased neurotransmitter levels. 

The Indian folk medicine, called Ayurvedic medicine, can be traced back 3000-5000 years and was practiced by the Brahmin sages of ancient times. The treatments were set out in sacred writings called Vedas. The material medica are extensive and most are based on herbal formulations. Some of the herbs have appeared in Western medicines, such as cardamom and cinnamon. Susruta, a physician in the fourth century ad, described the use of henbane as antivenom for snakebites. 

In 1996, Ito et al. reported the isolation of clauszoline-A (167) and clauszoline-B (168) from the acetone extract of the stem bark of C. excavata collected in Singapore (74). These alkaloids represented the first, naturally occurring 2,8-dioxygenated-3-formylcarbazole alkaloids with a dimethylpyran ring fused to C-7 and C-8 of the carbazole nucleus. The extracts of the leaves and bark of this tree have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of snakebites and abdominal pain (74). One year later, the same group isolated another pyrano[2,3-fl]carbazole alkaloid, clauszoline-H (169), from the roots of the same natural source in Japan (47) (Scheme 2.34). 

Worldwide, there are an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 venomous snakebites per year with about 10% (or 30 000) resulting in death. In the United States, there are approximately 7000 venomous bites per year but only 1 in 500 deaths, testifying to the value of prompt medical treatment. 

The genus Aristolochia comprises approximately 200 species, many of which have played important roles in folk medicine for treating sore throat, venomous snakebites, wounds, fevers, and tuberculosis. The chemistry and pharmacology of aristolochic acid, the main active principle, was researched by many scientists. Many worthy achievements in the pharmacology of aristolochic acid have been published. 

Schumanniophyton magnificum has been the source of most of the alkaloids so far isolated. It has several interesting uses in traditional medicine. In Cameroon the bark is used for dysentery as an enema (70). The phenolic compounds present may exert an astringent effect to account for this. In Nigeria the stem juice is used as a treatment for snakebite and the roots are used to treat madness. 

Mescaline is an alkaloid isolated from the peyote cactus, species Lophophora williamsii or Anhalonium lewinii, that grows in the southwestern United States and in Mexico. Mescaline is found in buttons that grow on top of the plant. Aztec and Native American Indians used the buttons in religious rites and for treatment of snakebite, flu, and arthritis. Some street names include bad seed, blue caps, cactus buttons, devils root, mesc, moon, peyote, shaman, and tops. 

Achillea alpina L. A. millefolium L. Shi Cao (Siberian yarrow) (aerial part) Alkaloids, essential oils, achillin, flavonoides, betonicine, achilleine, d-camphor, oxalic acids, ether oils, hydroxycinnamic acids, hydrocyanic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids, anthocyanidines, anthraquinones, phytosterines, carotene, coumarins, monoterpene, sesquiterpene glucosides, desacetylmatricarin.33-222-450 Antibacterial, treat menopause, abdominal pain, acute intestinal disorder, wound infection, snakebite. 

Amorphophallus rivieri Durieu Mo Yue (whole plant) Leviduline, levidulinase, mannose.50 This herb is toxic. Treat aching bones, eye inflammation, cancer, ulcers, snakebite. 

Anagalis arvensis L. Hi Lu (root) Anagalline, anagalligenone, arrenin, cucurbitacins.55 Treat snakebite, dog bite, antitoxic. 

Aristolochia shimadai Hayata Taiwan Ma Dou Ling (stem) Aristolochic acid.54 Relieve pain, a diuretic, externally for snakebite. 

Bidens bipinnata L. B. parviflora Willd. Kuei Chen Gao (Blackjack) (whole plant) Flavonoids, essential oils.48 Treat bug bites, diarrhea, snakebite. 

Bidens pilosa L. var. minor (Blume) Sherff. Sien Feng Cao (Bur marigold) (leaf) Polyacetylenes (it is phototoxic), phenytheptatriyne.50 Antibiotic, treat bug bites, diarrhea, snakebite. Bactericidal, fungicidal. 

Blumea hieraciifolia (D. Don) DC Tu Er Cao (Camphor) (whole plant)56 No information is available in the literature. Treat pneumonia, water in the lung, diarrhea, snakebite. 

Desmodium microphyllum (Thunb.) DC Sui Me Jie (whole plant) Kaempferitrin.48 Antitoxic, relieve diarrhea, cough, pain, snakebite. 

Dioscorea opposita Thunb. Shan Yao (Chinese yam) (leaf, tuber, root) Allantoin, arginine, choline, glutamine, leucine, tyrosine, diosgenin, sinodiosgenin.50 Leaf juice for snakebite, root for asthma, cachexia, cough, debility, diarrhea, neurasthenia, polyuria, tuber is anthelmintic. 

Duchesnea indica (Andr.) Focke. She Mei (Mock strawberry) (whole plant) Emodin, chrysophanic acid, phytosterol, volatile oil, calcium.60 Insecticide, antidote, treat whitlow, bums, snakebite. 

Euchresta japonicum Benth. Shan Duo Gen (stem)50 Lupin alkaloid, (+)-5, 17-dehydromatrine N-oxide, (-)-12-cytisineacetic acid, euchres taflavanones.199 200 201 A disinfectant, for asthma, bronchitis, cancer, congestion, fever, snakebite, aphrodisiac. 

Gynura japonica Mak. G. pinnatifida Vanniot G. segetum Merr. San Qi (Canton tusanchi) (root, leaf) Saponins.49 Hemostat, furnculosis, hemorrhage, hemorhea. Externally for bruises and wounds, insect bites, snakebites... 

Jatropha podagrica Hooker San Hu You Tong (stem bark) Tetramethylpyrazine, steroids, n-hexacosane, beta-amirine, lupeol palmitate, beta-sitosterol, rutin, flavonoids, quercetin, apigenin, vitexin, isovitexin.57-207 208 This herb is toxic. Detoxicant, hypotensive, neuromuscular and cardiovascular actions, antibacterial, relieve swelling, pain, externally treat snakebite, infection. 

Lobelia chinensis L. L. pyramidalis Wallich. L. sessilifolia Lambert Ban Bian Lian Sha Gen Cai (Lobelia) (whole plant) Lobeline, lobelanine, lobelanidine, isolobelamine. (Lobeline has been approved by the FDA to curb the tobacco habit).33-50-71 This herb may be toxic. Diuretic, increase respiration via stimulation of carotid chemoreceptors. Treat snakebites, insecticide, reduce swelling, depurative, antirheumatic, antisyphilitic. 

Nicotiana tabacum L. Yan Cao (Tobacco) (leaf) Nicotine, nicotimine, nicoteine, nicotelline.60 This herb is toxic. Treat soreness in the joints, numbness, hemicrania, poisonous snakebites, insecticide, antidysenteric, emetic. 

Oenothera javanica (BI) DC Shui Jin (seed, leaf) Bis (2-ethyl butyl) phthalate, n-butyl-2-ethyl butyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, myrcene, alpha-pinene, terpinolene, limonene, beta-pinene, alpha-terpinene, persicarin, petroscelinic aicd.48-50 For plethora, cholera, dysuria, fever, hematuria, influenza, jaundice, metrorrhagia, antivinous, hemostat. Externally for abscesses, cancerous swelling, snakebite. 

Ophioglosswn vulgatum L. Yi Zhi Jian (Adder s tongue) (whole plant) 3 -O -me thy lquercetin, 33 As a hemostatic, abscesses, treat gangrene. Externally treats snakebite. 

Oxalis corriculaza L. O. corymbosa DC Sha Jiang Cao (Wood sorrel) (leaf) Oxalate, vitamin C, calcium, citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid.50 Antidote to arsenic and mercury, for bruises, clots, diarrhea, fever, influenza, snakebite, urinary infections. 

Paracyclea insularis Kudo et Yamamoto Tu Fang Ji (root) Insulanoline, msularine, iso-chondrodendrine.58 Treat headache, throat pain, arthritis pain, externally for snakebite. 

Stellaria alsine Grimm var. undulata (Thunb.) Ohwi Tian Peng Cao (Starwort) (whole plant)50 No information is available in the literature. For colds, pimples, snakebite, traumatic injuries. It is a carminative, lactagogue. 

Taraxacum officinale G. H. Weber ex Wigg. Western Pu Gong Ying (Dandelion) (root) Inulin, essential oils, choline, hydroxycinnamic acids, carotenes, ether oils, monoterpene, oxalic acids, hydrocyanic acids, sesquiterpene glucosides, flavonoids, hydroxybenzoic acid, coumarins, anthocyanidines, anthraquinones, phytosterines, squalene, cerylic alcohol, arabinose, vitamins , , C.88-222-450 Sudorific, stomachic, tonic, a remedy for sores, boils, ulcers, abscesses, snakebites. 

Achillea millefolium L. China Alkaloids, essential oils, flavonoides, achillin, betonicine, achilleine, d-camphor, desacetylmatricarin.33 Antibacterial, treat menopause, abdominal pain, acute intestinitis, wound infection, snakebite. 

N.A. Daidzin, diadzein, isoflavonoids, puerarin, sterol.99 For colds, influenza, feverish illness, thirst in diabetes, externally for snakebite. 

N.A. Aristolochia clematitis L. A. serpentaria L. Aristolochic acids, volatile oil, tannins.99 Treat wounds, sores, snakebite, taken after childbirth to prevent infection, heal ulcers, treat asthma and bronchitis. 

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