Substance Source (SN, FN) Significant Info Uses

ANTHRAQUINONE

Cascara Sagrada Rhamnus purshianus Should be aged for 1 year prior to ● Cathartic
(Rhamnaceae) medicinal use ● Correction of habitual
constipation
Reduced forms (found in fresh
barks) are converted to
monomeric oxidized glycosides
(milder)

Aka Chittern Bark,

Buckthorn bark Rhamnus frangula Aka Frangula ● Movicol®: Frangula +

(Rhamnaceae) Karaya gum

Aloe Scientific name: Constituent: Barbaloin ● Cathartic Laxative

● Aloe barbadensis ● Pharmaceutic aid:
● Aloe Africana compound benzoin
● Aloe spicata tincture
● Aloe vera gel: treatment
Family Name: Liliaceae of burns, abrasions and
other skin irritations.
● Moisturizing and
emollient effects
●

Rhubarb Rheum officinale and R. Constituent: Rhein anthrones ● Cathartic

Palmatum (Polygonaceace)

Indian Rhubarb Rheum emodi and R. webbianum Constituents: Rhein anthrones ● Cathartic

Senna Leaves Scientific Name: Constituents: ● Cathartic

 ● Cassia acutifolia
● Cassia angustifolia
Family Name:Leguminosae
● Dimeric glycosides
● Sennosides A & B (major
constituents)
● Sennosides C & D (minor
constituents)

Chrysarobin Andira araroba (Leguminosae) This is a mixture of neutral ● Keratolytic Agent:

principles from Goa Powder treatment of Psoriasis,
trichophytosis, chronic
Hot benzene is used to extract eczema
chrysarobin

Constituent:
Chrysophenolanthrone

Danthron Chemical name: ● Cathartic

1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone from ● Intermediate in the
1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone manufacture of anthralin
potassium disulfonate and alizarin (also
indanthrene dyestuff)
Aka Chrysazin

SAPONIN

Glycyrrhiza Glycyrrhiza glabra (Fabaceae) “Licorice root” ● Demulcent

Aka: Spanish licorice ● Expectorant
● Flavoring agent
● Surfactant

Dioscorea Dioscorea spiculiflora Diosgenin obtain upon hydrolysis ● Source of

(Dioscoreaceae) of dioscin glycoside cortisone/corticosteroid
drugs
D. floribuna (is the best source of
steroid in the US)

Ginseng Panax ginseng, Panasoxides and ginsenosides ● Treatment of Anemia, DM

 Panax quinquefolia (Araliaceae) and Gastritis
● Adaptogenic

CYANOPHORE

Wild cherry Prunus serotina (Rosaceae) Aka: Prunus virginiana - wild ● Flavored vehicle in syrup
black cherry tree form
● Sedative expectorant
Constituent: Prunasin

Almond Prunus amygdalus (Rosaceae) Prunasin and amygdalin ● Ingredient in cough

remedies

Apricot pits Prunus armeniaca (Rosaceae) Prunasin and amygdalin

ISOTHIOCYANATE

Black Mustard Brassica nigra (Brassicaceae) Constituents: Sinigrin ● Local irritant

accompanied by myrosin ● Emetic
● Rubefacient
Aka: sinapis nigra ● Vesicant
● Condiment (commercial

White Mustard Brassica alba (Brassicaceae) Constituents: Sinigrin

accompanied by myrosin

Aka: sinapis alba

Garlic Allium sativum (Liliaceae) Constituent: Alliin ● Antibacterial

● Antihyperlipidemic

ALDEHYDE

Vanilla Vanilla planifolia (Orchidaceae) Vanilla can be obtained ● Flavoring agent

aka Mexican or Vera Cruz Vanilla
/ Bourbon Vanilla
Vanilla tahitensis (Orchidaceae)
aka Tahiti Vanilla
synthetically from: ● Pharmaceutic aid in the
● Coniferin – glycoside preparation of Vanilla
present in the cambium Tincture
sap of pine trees
Eugenol – phenol present
 in clove oil
● Lignin – by-product of
pulp industry
Constituents
● Vanillin aka
methylprotocatechuic
aldehyde (aglycone) is
produced during “curing”
● From Green Vanilla

LACTONE

Coumarin From Sweet vernal grass lactone form of Banned by the FDA for its
(Anthoxanthum odoratum, ortho-hydroxycinnamic acid former use as flavoring
Poaceae) Solubility: soluble in alcohol agents”
From Sweet clover (Melilotus Synthesized readily
albus, or Melilotus officinalis,
Fabaceae)
From Sweet-scented bedstraw
(Galium triflorum, Rubiaceae)
From Red clover (Trifolium
pretense, Fabaceae)
From Tonka beans (Dipteryx
odorata, Fabaceae)

Bishydroxycoumarin/Dicumarol From the improperly cured leaves It is a drug related to coumarin Anticoagulant (Usual dose:
and flowering tops of Melilotus Synthetic 200- 300mg initially,
officinalis (Fabaceae) then 25 to 200mg once a day)

Catharides Cantharis vesicatoria (Meloidae ) Aka Spanish flies, Russian flies, Irritant, vesicant, rubefacient,
or Blistering flies wart-removal (topical
Constituents: solution), aphrodisiac, hair
Cantharidin (0.6% to 1.0%) growth stimulant

Psoralens From the family Apiaceae These are photosensitizing Facilitate repigmentation in
(Umbelliferae) furocoumarins (toxic) opathic vitiligo
They have vesicant-like effects (leukoderma) and
indirectly on skin (increase symptomatic control of
photosensitivity) severe, disabling
 psoriasis
Drugs under Psoralen
classification:

Methoxsalen/8-methoxypsoralen/
Xanthotoxin:
Constituent of the cremocarps of
bishop’s flower (Ammi majus,
Apiaceae)
Trioxsalen – a synthetic
furocoumarin that is used for the
treatment of vitiligo

PHENOLIC

Arbutin Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Other constituents: ● Diuretic and astringen

(Ericaceae) quercetin, gallic acid, ursolic acid ● Has increased whitening
and tannin property
● Antiseptic agent on the
urinary tract

Urushiol From the oily sap of: Urushiol can stay potent for up to ● Induces contact
5 years. Poison ivy is closely dermatitis
Poison ivy: Rhus radicans related to mangos. Mango peel
(Anacardiaceae) can hold urushiol and can give
people an allergic reaction.
Poison oak: Rhus toxicodendron Poison ivy size and urushiol
(Anacardiaceae) volume and CO2 in the air have a
direct correlation.

FLAVONOID

Passiflora Passiflora incarnata Aka Passionfruit ● Sedative

(Passifloraceae)

Hesperidin From sweet orange of Citrus Aka Cirantin ● for blood vessel
sinensis conditions such as
hemorrhoids, varicose
 Other sources: rind or peel or veins, and poor
unripe, circulation (venous
green citrus fruits: stasis).

Bitter Orange (Citrus aurantium )

Lemons (Citrus limon)
Citron (Citrus medica)

ALCOHOL

Salicin Salix purpurea, Salix fragilis ● Salicin is hydrolyzed into ● Anti-rheumatic (1g)
(Salicaceae) D-Glucose and Saligenin
by the enzyme emulsin.
● Populin (Benzoyl salicin)
Associated with salicin
Resembles salicylic acid
Oxidized to salicylic acid
in human system

HYDROLYZABLE TANNINS

Nutgall From the young twigs of the dyers ● Nutgall consists of the ● Tanning and dyeing
oak, Quercus infectoria pathological outgrowth industry
(Fagaceae) ● The pathological ● Astringent property
outgrowth is caused by
the puncture of ovums of
insect Cynips tinctoria
● Very good source of
tannic acid

Black Plum Syzygium cumini (Myrtaceae) ● Antioxidants

● Purifies blood

Kamatsile Pithecellobium dulce (Fabaceae) ● Abortifacient

● Dysentery
● Dermatitis and eye
inflammation
 NON-HYDROLYSABLE TANNINS

Witch Hazel Hammamelis virginiana Constituent: ● Astringent

(Myrtaceae) ● Hamamelitannin

Chestnut Castanea sativa (Fabaceae) ● Antioxidants

● Source of nutrients

Tea Camellia sinensis (Theaceae) ● Antioxidants

● Anticancer
● Antimicrobial

Pomegranate Punica granatum (Myristicaceae) Used in the prevention and

treatment of several types of
cancer, cardiovascular disease,
osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis,
and other diseases.