Hepatica nobilis or Anemone hepatica
Botanical Nomenclature | Hepatica nobilis or Anemone hepatica |
Common Name | Liverleaf, Liverwort |
Taxonomy- Family | Ranunculaceae |
Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Hepatica nobilis is a herbaceous, perennial plant growing up to 15cm, with trilobed, green, white-spotted leaves and blue, white or pink flowers. The flowering lasts from March to April and the harvesting takes place from May to July. |
Region Found | Epirus |
Part of the Plant with Active Substances | Leaves |
Active Substances | saponins, emulsin (enzyme), protoanemonin, hepatilobin (heteroside), tannins, carbohydrates, resins, chlorophyll |
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The plant extract is used as healing, diuretic, expectorant, emollient, tonic and astringent. In homeopathy it is recommeded for the treatment of bronchitis, common cold, cough, persistent throat irritation, dyspepsia, haemoptysis and various gallbladder and renal problems. It is applied externally to the skin as healing for the treatment of skin inflammation, burns and wounds. |
Method of Administration | The plant is administered as expectorant and diuretic in the form of infusion (wetting 2 spoons of fresh leaves or 4 spoons of dried leaves in a cup of cold water for 8 hours, once a day) and tincture (a cup of dried herb in 1,2 - 3,4L of alcohol, 10 to 15 drops, 3 times a day), which is mainly recommended for the treatment of liver, gall bladder and renal problems. 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 | No side effects have been reported. Overdose may cause toxicity. Plant's toxicity doesn't exist anymore after drying or heat. |
References | 1)http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail553.php 2)http://www.henriettes-herb.com/eclectic/dmna/hepatica.html#drug-desc 3)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Hepatica+nobilis 4)http://medicinalherbinfo.org/herbs/Hepatica.html 5)http://www.mdflora.org/Resources/Publications/WildflowerinFocus/pim_roundlobed_hepatica.pdf |