Anchusa officinalis
 Anchusa officinalis/1) Anchusa officinalis.jpg "Anchusa officinalis, Boraginaceae, Cynoglossin, consolidine (alkaloids), tannins, mucus, silicic acid, triterpenoid saponins, anthocyanins")
 Anchusa officinalis/2) Anchusa officinalis.jpg "Anchusa officinalis, Boraginaceae, Cynoglossin, consolidine (alkaloids), tannins, mucus, silicic acid, triterpenoid saponins, anthocyanins")
 Anchusa officinalis/3) Anchusa officinalis.jpg "Anchusa officinalis, Boraginaceae, Cynoglossin, consolidine (alkaloids), tannins, mucus, silicic acid, triterpenoid saponins, anthocyanins")
 Anchusa officinalis/4) Anchusa officinalis.jpg "Anchusa officinalis, Boraginaceae, Cynoglossin, consolidine (alkaloids), tannins, mucus, silicic acid, triterpenoid saponins, anthocyanins")
 Anchusa officinalis/5) Anchusa officinalis.jpg "Anchusa officinalis, Boraginaceae, Cynoglossin, consolidine (alkaloids), tannins, mucus, silicic acid, triterpenoid saponins, anthocyanins")
 Anchusa officinalis/6) Anchusa officinalis.jpg "Anchusa officinalis, Boraginaceae, Cynoglossin, consolidine (alkaloids), tannins, mucus, silicic acid, triterpenoid saponins, anthocyanins")
 Anchusa officinalis/7) Anchusa officinalis.jpg "Anchusa officinalis, Boraginaceae, Cynoglossin, consolidine (alkaloids), tannins, mucus, silicic acid, triterpenoid saponins, anthocyanins")
| Botanical Nomenclature | Anchusa officinalis |
| Common Name | Alkanet, Bugloss |
| Taxonomy- Family | Boraginaceae |
| Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Anchusa officinalis is an annual or biennial plant growing from 50 to 70cm, with plush, cruelly, oblong leaves and blue, purple or white flowers. The flowering and the harvesting take place from June to October, except from the harvesting of the root which takes place in autumn. |
| Region Found | Pindos |
| Part of the Plant with Active Substances | Shoots, roots, leaves |
| Active Substances | Cynoglossin, consolidine (alkaloids), tannins, mucus, silicic acid, triterpenoid saponins, anthocyanins |
| Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The whole plant has healing, expectorant and emollient properties. It is used for the treatment of smallpox, measles, bruises, rheumatic pain, cough, skin's inflammation, insect bites and diarrhea. Also, the herbal extract has diuretic action and is recommended against jaundice, gallstones, cholecystitis and various diseases of the urinary tract. In folk medicine the herbal tea was administered against stomach ulcers, nervousness and depression. |
| Method of Administration | The plant is administered in the form of ointment for the treatment of bruises, wounds, phlebitis and other skin problems. It is recommended as diuretic in the form of herbal tea (100g of dried leaves or dried root in 1L of boiled water, 3 times a day). 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 are reported. |
| References | 1) Bιβλίο: Τα φαρμακευτικά βότανα και οι θεραπευτικές τους ιδιότητες, Λάμπρου Π. Σπύρου, Αγροτικός εκδοτικός οίκος, Αθήνα 1981, A' τόμος, σελίδες: 161-162 2) Βιβλίο: Οδηγός των φαρμακευτικών φυτών, Paul Schauenberg, Ferdinand Paris, Εκδότης Μ. Γκιούρδας, Αθήνα 1981, σελίδες 17-18, 3)http://www.herb.gr/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/549/ 4)http://www.reherb.eu/el/content/anchusa-officinalis-subsp-officinalis 5)http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/a/alkan024.html 6)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Anchusa+officinalis 7)http://practicalplants.org/wiki/Anchusa_officinalis |