Acer pseudoplatanus
Botanical Nomenclature | Acer pseudoplatanus |
Common Name | Sycamore |
Taxonomy- Family | Aceraceae |
Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Acer pseudoplatanus is a perennial, deciduous tree growing up to 30m, with opposite, palmate, lobed, light green leaves and white, yellow or green flowers in inflorescences. The flowering last from March to April and the harvesting takes place all round the year. |
Region Found | Ioannina (Zagori, Vikos-Aoos) |
Part of the Plant with Active Substances | leaves, bark |
Active Substances | gallic acid, kaempherol, polysaccharides |
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The whole plant has astringent and healing properties. It is recommended as cleanser in the form of washes for the eyes and the skin. The plant's juice, which contains large quantities of polysaccharides, is used to prepare syrups and as sweetener especially in the food industry. |
Method of Administration | The bark of the plant, which has healing and astringent properties, is used as bandage in skin wounds. The syrup from the plant's juice is mainly used as sweetener. 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 | Diarrhea, flatulence |
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) |