Arundo donax
 Arundo donax/1) Arundo donax.JPG "Arundo donax, Poaceae, Mucus, bitter agents, malic acid, essential oil, carbohydrates, alkaloids (gramine), sodium silicate")
 Arundo donax/2) Arundo donax.jpg "Arundo donax, Poaceae, Mucus, bitter agents, malic acid, essential oil, carbohydrates, alkaloids (gramine), sodium silicate")
 Arundo donax/3) Arundo donax.jpg "Arundo donax, Poaceae, Mucus, bitter agents, malic acid, essential oil, carbohydrates, alkaloids (gramine), sodium silicate")
 Arundo donax/5) Arundo donax.jpg "Arundo donax, Poaceae, Mucus, bitter agents, malic acid, essential oil, carbohydrates, alkaloids (gramine), sodium silicate")
 Arundo donax/5)Arundo donax.jpg "Arundo donax, Poaceae, Mucus, bitter agents, malic acid, essential oil, carbohydrates, alkaloids (gramine), sodium silicate")
 Arundo donax/6) Arundo donax.jpg "Arundo donax, Poaceae, Mucus, bitter agents, malic acid, essential oil, carbohydrates, alkaloids (gramine), sodium silicate")
 Arundo donax/7) Arundo donax.jpg "Arundo donax, Poaceae, Mucus, bitter agents, malic acid, essential oil, carbohydrates, alkaloids (gramine), sodium silicate")
| Botanical Nomenclature | Arundo donax |
| Common Name | Carrizo, Colorado River Reed, Giant Cane, Giant Reed, Spanish Cane, Wild Cane |
| Taxonomy- Family | Poaceae |
| Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Arundo donax is a perennial, native, graminaceous plant growing from 6 to 10m, with gray-green leaves and white flowers, which look like wings. The flowering lasts from August to November, the fruiting takes place in October, while the harvesting takes place in early autumn. |
| Region Found | Arta (tzoumerka) |
| Part of the Plant with Active Substances | Root, stem, shoots |
| Active Substances | Mucus, bitter agents, malic acid, essential oil, carbohydrates, alkaloids (gramine), sodium silicate |
| Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The herbal tea of the plant stimulates the fuction of liver and bile and it has tonic properties for the gastrointestinal system. Also, it is used for the treatment of dyspepsia, gastritis, gastric ulcers, colic, bloating and decreased appetite. It has emollient and diuretic properties. Also, it can inhibit milk production and it is administered when mothers do not want to breast-feed. Finally, it can be applied externally in the form of poultice to heal wounds of the skin. |
| Method of Administration | The plant is administered as diuretic and tonic of the gastrointestinal system, as well to stop the galactorrhea in the form of herbal tea (20-40g of dried herb in 1L of boiled water, 2-3 times a day). In folk medicine it is applied externally to the skin in the form of poultice. Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions. |
| Toxicity- Adverse Effects | Plant's consumption may cause allergic reaction. |
| References | 1) http://www.reherb.eu/el/content/arundo-donax 2)http://journals.sfu.ca/era/index.php/era/article/viewFile/327/291 3)http://www.battle-creek.net/docs/weeds/AOakins_FinalThesis.pdf 4)http://entheology.com/plants/arundo-donax-giant-reed/ 5)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Arundo+donax 6)http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/a/arundo-donax=giant-reed.php |