Acanthus spinosus

Acanthus spinosus, Acanthaceae, Polysaccharides, flavonoids, phenolic acids, glycoproteins, amino acids, inorganic salts, bitter agents, tannins, mucus
Acanthus spinosus, Acanthaceae, Polysaccharides, flavonoids, phenolic acids, glycoproteins, amino acids, inorganic salts, bitter agents, tannins, mucusAcanthus spinosus, Acanthaceae, Polysaccharides, flavonoids, phenolic acids, glycoproteins, amino acids, inorganic salts, bitter agents, tannins, mucusAcanthus spinosus, Acanthaceae, Polysaccharides, flavonoids, phenolic acids, glycoproteins, amino acids, inorganic salts, bitter agents, tannins, mucusAcanthus spinosus, Acanthaceae, Polysaccharides, flavonoids, phenolic acids, glycoproteins, amino acids, inorganic salts, bitter agents, tannins, mucus
Botanical Nomenclature Acanthus spinosus
Common Name Spiny Bear's Breech
Taxonomy- Family Acanthaceae
Distinguishing Features of the Plant Acanthus spinosus is a perennial, herbaceous plant growing from 0,90 to 1,20m, with wide, thorny, shiny, dark green leaves. The flowers are large, white or pink in inflorescence (bunches). The flowering lasts from June to July and the harvesting takes place from March to August.
Region Found Ioannina (Vradeto)
Part of the Plant with Active Substances leaves, root
Active Substances Polysaccharides, flavonoids, phenolic acids, glycoproteins, amino acids, inorganic salts, bitter agents, tannins, mucus
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications The whole plant has orexigenic, digestive, cholagogue and antioxidant properties. Also, the chopped parts of the plant which are dipped in cold water, are used against skin's irritations, burns and wounds, as they have analgesic, soothing and healing actions. In folk medicine the herbal tea from the dried flowers and leaves, was recommended for the treatment of bladder's irritation and haemoptysis.
Method of Administration The plant is administered for its orexigenic, digestive and healing action in the form of infusion (one spoon of dried leaves in a cup of boiling water, up to three times a day) and herbal tea (a spoon of the crushed root, up to three 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) Βιβλίο: Οδηγός των φαρμακευτικών φυτών, Paul Schauenberg, Ferdinand Paris, Εκδότης Μ. Γκιούρδας, Αθήνα 1981, σελίδες 329-330 2)The encyclopedia of herbs and herbalism, M.Stuart, Orbis Publishing London, 1979, p.231 3)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Acanthus+mollis 4)http://practicalplants.org/wiki/Acanthus_mollis 5)http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/a/acanthus-mollis=bear's-breeches.php 6)