Pulsatilla

Introduction• Family: Ranunculaceae

•Botanical name: Pulsatilla Vulgaris

• English name: Wind Flower, pasque flower

•Urdu name: Shaqaik ul numan, gul e lalaa.

• Part used : Whole herb.

• Toxicity: highly toxic when fresh (even cause severe burning )

Chemical Constituents•Anemonin (active constituent, which

controls the anti inflammatory response.Antibacterial drugs have high

concentration of anemonin in them)

•Pentadecane (major component of oils obtained

•from the plant.)

Chemical Constituents•Acrid (oily principle, with a burning,

peppery taste, Oil of Anemone. Its therapeutic value is not considered

great. When kept for some time, this oily substance becomes

decomposed into Anemonic acid.

•Anemonic acid (inert form of acrid. Anti-microbial activity)

•Volatile oils ( for inhalation purposes/ also used for dermal

infections )

Uses•Used as Anti-microbial.

anemonic acid increases membranous permeability.They effect the polymyxins that combines with the phosphatides and increases the membranous

permeability)As a result of which bacterial cell death occurs.

•Use as Antibacterial.anemonin inhibits cell wall synthesis by binding with the

bacterial cell wall.its acidic nature inhibits its synthesis)

Uses

• For treatment of allergies of nose etc. (pentadecane is major constituent.Inhilation sprays

are prepared by addition of volatile oils to certain extent).

• As an Anti-inflammatory druganemonin is responsible for treating pain mainly by

blocking COX-2 mostly in the central nervous system

Usual dosage

• Therapeutically, pulsatilla is used in two forms - infusion and tincture.

• Infusion: To prepare an infusion with pulsatilla, add half to one teaspoonful of the dried up herb to one cup (250 ml) of boiling water and allow it to permeate for about 10 to 15 minutes. For best results, this infusion should be taken thrice every day or whenever it is required.

• Tincture: The standard dosage of the pulsatilla tincture is 1 ml to 2 ml taken thrice every day.

Contraindications• Only dried plant should be used.

• Not recommended to treat Gastritis.

• Use of excessive volatile oils may cause irritation to nose and mouth as it effects the mucous membrane.

Side effects• Over use of pulsatilla drugs can cause the constriction of

vessels.

• Pulsatilla is unsafe if taken by mouth during pregnancy.because it causes constraction of muscles,which

will lead to certain abnormalities..

•When applied directly on skin, it causes severe irritation, inflammation, rash and itching.

Drug Interactions

When taking any pulsatilla homeopathic remedy:• peppermint products

• coffee • or alcohol

These products will cause the remedy to be ineffective.

Referenceswww.webmd.com

www.vitaminestore.comwww.herblist.com

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.govbook of medical pharmacology

American medicinal plants.