Family UmbelliferaeDr. Asra Hameed Pharm.D (JUW) asra_hameed1@hotmail.com

TOPICS INCLUDED:FAMILY” Umbelliferae”

CONIUMCARUMFENNELCORRIANDERASAFOETIDA

The Umbelliferae Family The Umbelliferae family is named after the shape of its flowers, which are called umbels.

The umbels are unique in their floral uniformity

These distinctive umbrella shaped blooms are attractive in arrangements and loved by numerous beneficial insects.

They pollinate freely which allow it to increase its natural distribution.

Seed dispersal occurs through wind.

It is an Angiospermic plant. Its plants are used as important herbs. Many are poisonous Members of this family are loaded with

vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Many are indispensable in favorite recipes

and a treat eaten raw or cooked.TYPE/Habbit : annual, biennial, perennial

herbs or woody shrubs.WORLDWIDE NO. : 3,000 species in 300

Genera. AROMA: often pungent or aromatic.

The plants are erect.ROOTS: either tap root or fusiform, branched.They possess alternate, undivided or divided

leaves, base of stalks often dilated & sheathing the stem.

The flowers are small, usually less than 1.2cm in diameter, regular, polygamous in umbels, rarely in heads.

Umbels are compound or simple, with or without bracts & bracteoles at the base of primary & secondary rays, respectively.

The calyx is reduced to 5 tooth-like sepals.The corolla consists of 5 distinct, typically inflexed

petals.The androecium comprises 5 distinct stamens.The gynoecium consists of a single compound pistil

of 2 carpels, 2 styles borne on an enlarged stylopodium, and an inferior ovary with 2 locules, each containing a single pendulous, apical-axile ovule.

The fruit is a schizocarp. Consisting of two one-seeded carpels5 ridges or wingsCremocarps, splited known as “mericarp”Mericarp Possess stylopod at its apex.Two surfaces of Mericarp, outer & inner5 longitudinal straight or wavy ridges,“primary ridges” (vascular bundles present)Special secretory ducts ”vittae” found in mesocarpRun from apex to base longitudanally through

mesocarp.

Important drugs belong to this family are:corianderfennelcarawaydillanise

DRUG NO.01 CONIUM

CONIUMConium means small genus of highly

toxic perennial.SYNONYMS :genus conium,poison parsley,poison

hemlockMERONYMS Members of conium:California

fern,conium maculatum , hemlock

BIOLOGICAL SOURCE Conium is a genus of two species of highly

poisonous perennial herbaceous flowering plantknown as conium maculatum.

GEOGRAPHICAL SOURCE It is found in disturbed or waste areas such as

roadsides and the edges of cultivated fields.Poison hemlock was introduced into North America from Europe and is and can be found in allareas of the U.S. except for dessert areas. Poison hemlock can be found growing in the samekind of habitats as the water hemlock. conium maculatum, a Eurasian weed naturalized in NorthAmerica, contains high concentrations of piperidine alkaloids that act as chemical defensesagainst herbivores.Conium maculatum is a highly toxic weed found in waste places throughout much of the world.

CULTIVATION AND COLLECTION Hemlock (Conium maculatum) was

occasionally deliberately grown as a medicinal herb in thepast, even though it is highly poisonous.

It is generally considered a weed of gardens thesedays.

The Poisonous Hemlock does not require any maintenance to grow and should beeradicated upon sight

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS The special and characteristic medicinal

substance contained in hemlock is a peculiar alkaloid,called coniine, N-methyl coniine, conhydrine, lambda-coniceine, and pseudoconhydrine.Of the total alkaloids of hemlock isolated by the method of Chemnitius and fractionally distilled,the portion boiling up to 190 °C contains most of the coniine, γ-coniceine and N-methylconiine,while conhydrine and ψ-conhydrine remain in the higher boiling residues. For the separation of coniine from coniceine, Wolffenstein recommends conversion into hydrochlorides.

These aredried and extracted with acetone, which dissolves coniceine hydrochloride, leaving the coniinesalt, from which the base may then be regenerated.

MACROSCOPIC CHARACTER

Colour: dark green Odour: unpleasant Taste: exteremly poisonous. Size : 5-8 ft Shape: leaves are mostly triangular. Flowers: clustered umbels up to 10-15 cm

MEDICINAL ACTION AND USES As a medicine, Conium is sedative and

antispasmodic, and in sufficient doses acts as aparalyser to the centres of motion. In its action it is, therefore, directly antagonistic to that of Strychnine, and hence it has been recommended as an antidote to Strychnine poisoning,

Hemlock juice (Succus conii) is prescribed as a remedy in cases of undue nervous motor excitability, such as teething in children, epilepsy from dentition. cramp, in the early stages of paralysis agitans, in spasms of the larynx and gullet, in acute mania,

The drug has to be administered with care, as narcotic poisoning may result from internal use, and overdoses produce paralysis.

MEDICINAL ACTION AND USESHemlock was formerly believed to exercise an

alterative effect in scrofulous disorders. Both the Greek and Arabian physicians were in the

practice of using it for the cure of ndolent tumours, swellings and pains of the joints, Baron Storch was the first to call the attention of medical men to its use, both externally and internally, for the cure of cancerous and other ulcers, and in the form of a poultice or ointment it has been found a very valuable application to relieve pain in these cases.

In the case of poisoning by Hemlock, the antidotes are tannic acid, stimulants and coffee, emetics of zinc, or mustard and castor oil, and, if necessary, artificial respiration.

It is essential to keep up the temperature of the body.

It has been shown that the predominant alkaloid in the plant changes with stage of development, and even from hour to hour, that the total amount of alkaloid varies with the stage of growth and part of plant and with geographic area,

the plants from southern latitudes being held more poisonous on the average than northern-grown ones.

Variability in toxicity of this kind may explain the fact that in experimental feedings of a cow in Texas,

TOXICITY:

TOXICITY:Conium was found to produce symptoms but not

death at about two percent of the animals weight and did not produce death even at almost 4 percent.

Coniine is volatile and is lost slowly from Conium while drying.

The hemlock alkaloids are present in least amount in the root. As the plant grows, they accumulate in the stem, leaves, and fruits, being greater in amount in these organs in the order listed and in each reaching a maximum just prior to maturation of the seeds. Concentrations of total alkaloids as high as 1.6 percent have been measured in the green seed" (Kingsbury 1964).

DRUG NO. 02CARUM

CARUMCarum is a genus of about 20 species of flowering plants in the family Apiaceae, native to temperate regions of the Old World. The most important species is Caraway (C. carvi), the seeds of which are widely used as a culinary spice.

DEFINITION : Carum is a large biennial

aromatic herbs that have white or yellow flowers in compound umbels and include caraway.

English Name: CarawayFamily: Apiaceae Genera: CarumScientific Name: Carum carviLocal Name: Safeed zeera

Seeds

Florescence

stalk

Caraway is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, though the plant has been carried by colonials to all parts of the globe.

It was well known to the ancient Arabians and had made its way across the English Channel well before the 14th century.

Caraway gets its name from Caria, a town in Asia Minor that was probably once a major production center for the herb.

CARAWAY FROM CARIA:

USES:On the scientific

front, caraway has been proven to have following properties:

carminative, stomachic, antibacterial,

indigestion,constipation, gas remediesStimulantSpiceAstringentAntihistaminic

,antispasmodic

COLLECTION: The plant produces lots of them. All the gardener needs to do is collect the

seeds in July. They can also be found in the spice section

of almost any grocery store.The seeds are rich in both medicinal and

aromatic substances. If you crush a handful of seeds, you will

smell what I mean.

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS:Fixed oil,Proteins,Aminaldehyde,Alpha-pinine,Beta-pinene,Phellandene,Aminaldehyde.

ORGANOLEPTIC EVALUATION:Texture: RoughFracture: WeakExternal Markings:

longitudinal markings, noch is present at one side, stalk is present at one side

Internal markings: fibrous

Apex and Base: pointed

ORGANOLEPTIC EVALUATION:Shape: elongated and

tapering on both ends Size: 4-6mm in length,

2mm thickOdor and Taste:

Characteristic and aromatic

External colours: Brown, ridges are light in color

Internal colour: Brown

CULTIVATION:The plant prefers warm, sunny locations

and well-drained soil rich in organic matter. In warmer regions it is planted in the winter

months as an annual. In temperate climates it is planted as a

summer annual or biennial. There is however a polyploid variant (with

four haploid sets=4n) of this plant that was found to be perennial.

SELECTION AND STORAGE:Caraway seeds are available year around in the

markets either in the form of seeds or in ground form. In the store, buy whole caraway seeds instead of powder since, oftentimes it may contain adulterated spicy powders.

Once at home, the seeds can be stored in cool, dry, dark place in air sealed containers for many months and can be milled using hand mill whenever required.

Ground and powdered caraway should be stored in the refrigerator in airtight containers and should be used as early as possible since it loses its flavor rather quickly.

OTHER USES:Caraway seed nutrition

factsHealth benefits of caraway

seedsMedicinal usesIt is also used in

pharmaceuticals as flavoring agent in mouthwash and gargle preparations.

Culinary uses

CHEMICAL CONTITUENTS:

The chemical components of Caraway oil are Acetaldehyde, Cumuninic aldehyde, Furfurol, Carvone and Limonene.

DRUG NO. 03FENNEL

FENNELa pale green vegetable with

seeds and leaves that are used for flavouring food

Local Name: SAUNFScientific Name: Foeniculum vulgare

Family: UmbellifereaeEnglish Name: FENNEL

Appearance:Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare, is a perennial

herb. It is erect, glaucous green, and grows to heights of up to 2.5 m, with hollow stems.

The leaves grow up to 40 cm long; they are finely dissected, with the ultimate segments filiform (threadlike), about 0.5 mm wide.

(Its leaves are similar to those of dill, but thinner.)

The flowers are produced in terminal compound umbels 5–15 cm wide, each umbel section having 20–50 tiny yellow flowers on short pedicels.

The fruit is a dry seed from 4–10 mm long, half as wide or less,

Essential Oil:CHEST RUB – The essential oil

extracted from the fennel finds use as a topical herbal remedy and can be utilized as a massage or oil rub.

To treat chest problems, a combination herbal oil is typically used, containing about 25 drops of the thyme herbal oil, the same amount of the oil of eucalyptus, and the fennel oils, these three are mixed in about 25 ml of the sunflower or almond oil.

Collection and Harvesting:Harvesting of the fresh leaves for

immediate use can be carried out throughout the summer right up to the time when the first frost appears - pluck leaves from plants and use as and when needed. Morning is the ideal time to collect the leaves, and this must be done when the sun is already shining and evaporated the dew

Preparation:Seeds can be used whole or ground in a

spice mill or mortar and pestle. .

Uses: for culinary purpose:1.The bulb, foliage, and seeds of the fennel plant are widely

used in many of the culinary purpose for different disease:2.Fennel is used for various digestive problems including

heartburn, intestinal gas, bloating, loss of appetite, and colic in infants. It is also used for upper respiratory tract infections, coughs, bronchitis, cholera, backache, bedwetting, and visual problems.

foods and beverages:3.In foods and beverages, fennel oil is used as a flavoring

agent.anti platelet:4.Fennel oil has antiplatelet activity and ability to inhibit

clot retraction

Uses:roots:5.Roots of Fennel use in medicinesource of vitamin c:6.In addition to its unusual phytonutrients, fennel bulb is an

excellent source of vitamin C.source of fibers:7.As a very good source of fiber, fennel bulb may help to

reduce elevated cholesterol levels. And since fiber also removes potentially carcinogenic toxins from the colon, fennel bulb may also be useful in preventing colon cancer. In addition to its fiber, fennel is a very good source of folate

8.cosmetic prepration:Essential oil:Many cosmetic preparations in the market also use extracts

of the fennel fruit and especially the volatile fennel oil as the fragrance components in the product,

Chemical Constituents:fennel consist of 3-7% of volatile oil.

about 20% protein and fixed oil. the chief active constituent of volatile oil is ketone, fenchone (about 20%) and a phenolic ether, anethole (50%) fenchene is a colourless pungent liquid with aromatic odour. the anethole is sweet in odour and taste. oil of fennel is yellow in colour.

Selection of Fennel:Good quality fennel will have bulbs that are clean, firm

and solid, without signs of splitting, bruising or spotting.

The bulbs should be whitish or pale green in color. The stalks should be relatively straight and closely

superimposed around the bulb and should not splay out to the sides too much.

Both the stalks and the leaves should be green in color. There should be no signs of flowering buds as this indicates that the vegetable is past maturity.

Fresh fennel should have a fragrant aroma, smelling subtly of licorice or anise.

Fennel is usually available from autumn through early spring.

Storage of Fennel:

Dried fennel seeds should be stored in an airtight container in a cool and dry location where they will keep for about six months.

Storing fennel seeds in the refrigerator will help to keep them fresher longer.

Food Allergy -- Fennel:A fennel allergy is an adverse reaction by the

body's immune system to fennel or food containing fennel. This type of allergy is rare and serious reactions are very rare.

e.g. skin, respiratory and behavioral symptoms. Symptoms of Food Allergy -- fennel:Symptoms of Food Allergy -- fennel:Runny noseWatery eyesSore eyesItchy eyesRed eyes

Treatments for Food Allergy -- fennel:

Avoid contact with the allergen, adrenaline injection if anaphylactic reaction occurs, antihistamines, bronchodilators for asthmatic symptoms

Treatment of different disease by fennel: The well known aromatic culinary herb called the

fennel was extensively used as an herbal remedy to aid digestion

Some other uses of the fennel in the treatment of disorders in women include its use as an aid in the regulation of the menstrual cycle and as an herbal aid in relieving period pains during menstruation

it also is a very effective remedy for the treatment of urinary infections in patients

it a very effective remedy for disorders such as arthritis and gout,

Local application of the oil on the body or the bruised seed exudates is used in alleviating the pain of a toothache and earache in patients

DRUG NO. 04 CORRIANDER

CORRIANDERAnnual herb of the carrot family -

Umbelliferae- up to 60 cm. Erect, glabrous stems with a strong scent.

Compound leaves, bipinnate or tripinnate; the lower ones with longer stem and with narrower segments then superior ones.

Whitish flower in umbel, with till 8 rays.Very scented fruits.

Other Names: Coriandrum - Chinese Parsley, Cilantro, Coriander

Scientific Name: Coriandrum sativum L.

Family: carrot family – Umbelliferae

Habitat: Native from Asia and Africa, it can be found as a cultivated plant because its fruits as a species or medicinal plant.

Parts usedThe dried ripe fruits are used (the seeds) and an

essential oil is distilled from it.PropertiesBoth seeds and leaves are rich in oils and act on

the digestive system, stimulating the appetite and relieving irritation.

It contains coumarins, phenylpropanoids and triterpenes, while the essential oil contains linalool as well as furanocoumarins (coriandrine and dihydrocoriandrine).

The unripe fruits also contain decanal and tricen-2-al, which gives them a very particular smell.

Therapeutic uses Internal use

The herb has great success in treating loss of appetite and other dyspeptic complaints. When used in laxatives, it eases griping.

The roots, leaves and leafstalks can be used to flavor soups, salads, beans and curries.

Dried stems are used for smoking foods.The seeds (dried ripe fruits) are used as an ingredient of

curry powders, pickles, pickling spice, baked foods, sausages and sauces.

Chewing the seeds after eating garlic is used to freshen the breath after eating garlic.

External useCoriander is included in lotions and ointment to treat piles

(hemorrhoids), rheumatism, menstrual disorders and painful joints.

Historically, the fruits have been used to treat wounds and burns and the herb has antimicrobial properties.

Therapeutic usesAromatherapy and essential oil

useCoriander essential oil can help improve memory

and has a positive effect on the digestive system. It is helpful with arthritis and rheumatism.

It helps to detoxify the body and to stimulate the spleen. It is indicated as being connected to Prana - the life-giving spark of life.

It has a hormone balancing effect and helps with menstrual problems.

It is not normally used in skin care products, but toiletry items often use it as fragrance.

It has analgesic, anti-spasmodic, carminative, deodorant, stimulant and stomachic properties

Safety precautions and warnings

The essential oil may be sensitizing to the skin, and some people may have an allergic reaction to it.

Very large doses may have a stupefying effect on the mind.

Picking-up and storing:The fruit will be picked up in the month of

July and August. The leaves should be taken fresh. The fruit will dry off in a dark place and they should be preserved in a little bag.

DRUG NO. 05 ASAFOETIDA

ASAFOETIDAAsafoetida is a perennial plant that grows about 6

feet (1.83 m) high and bears bright yellow clusters of flowers.

The hollow stem and roots of the plant house a milky substance that is rich in organic sulfur.

Asafoetida is Most similar in appearance to fennel.This substance is sometimes dried and blended

with rice flour to create a flour that is used in cooking.

Asafoetida  tastes much like a combination of strong onions with a touch of earthy truffles

This herb has a smell that's often compared to rotting feet Native to the Middle East,

Kingdom: Plantae Order: Apiales Family: Apiaceae Genus: Ferula Species: F. assa-foetida Odour : pungent & unpleasent

Habitat: The species is native to the mountains of Afghanistan, and is mainly cultivated in nearby India.

Cultivation and manufacture:The resin-like gum comes from the

dried sap extracted from the stem and roots and is used as a spice.

The resin is grayish-white when fresh but dries to a dark amber color

The asafoetida resin is difficult to grate and is traditionally crushed between stones or with a hammer.

Today, the most commonly available form is compounded asafoetida, a fine powder containing 30% asafoetida resin, along with rice flour and gum Arabic.

Uses This spice is used as a digestive aid, in food as a

condiment, and in pickles.  It typically works as a flavor enhancer . . It is especially widely used in South Indian cuisine, which

is mainly vegetarian, and is often used to harmonize sweet, sour, salty and spicy components in food.

In its pure form, its odour is so strong the aroma will contaminate other spices stored nearby if it is not stored in an airtight container: many commercial preparations of asafoetida utilize the resin ground up and mixed with a larger volume of wheat flour.

 However, its odour and flavour become much milder and more pleasant upon heating in oil or ghee, acquiring a taste and aroma reminiscent of sautéed onion and garlic..

Antiflatulent: Asafoetida reduces the growth of indigenous microflora in the gut, reducing flatulence…

Medical applications: Asafoetida was used in 1918 to fight the Spanish

influenza pandemic.   In 2009, scientists at the Kaohsiung Medical University

in Taiwan reported that the roots of Asafoetida produce natural antiviral drug compounds that kill the swine flu virus,

it is used as an antibiotic and it keeps small children healthy by protecting them from diseases

 Asafoetida has a broad range of uses in traditional medicine as an antimicrobial, with well documented uses for treating chronic bronchitis and whooping cough, as well as reducing flatulence. It is also   helpful in cases of asthma and bronchitis…

In Ayurveda, asafoetida is considered to be one of the best spices for balancing the vata dosha.

It is pungent taste and at the end of digestion. It aggravates pitta, enhances appetite, taste and digestion. It is easy to digest

Side effects of asafoetida:Anything in limit is safe for the human body.

However, anything used in excess is bound to respond with a negative, undesired reaction.

Asafoetida in normal limits is also safe for humans.

Intake of about 15 g of this resin produces no ill-effects.

Anything beyond this safe limit causes undesired effects.

Side effects commonly observed due to excessive intake of asafoetida are discussed below:

Side effects of asafoetida: Contact Dermatitis Swollen Lips Abdominal Gas and Diarrhea Skin Rashes Headache and Dizziness Apart from the side effects mentioned above,

prolonged use of this gum is known to cause nausea, vomiting, and throat irritation in individuals.

Asafoetida formulation is also available in the form of tincture which may cause burning sensation while urinating and is also known to alter menstruation time. 

Contraindication: Use of this resin is contraindicated in some conditions which

are mentioned below:Using asafoetida for treating pregnant and breastfeeding women is highly unsafe and must be avoided.

People with blood pressure-related problems like hypertension or hypotension should be kept away from asafoetida, as it is known to disturb blood pressure control in the body.

It is also unsafe for individuals with gastrointestinal irritation. Infants should not be administered with its dose because of

its tendency to cause blood disorders which can potentially be life-threatening.

Any person showing visible side effects should be immediately taken to a doctor for a checkup.

The doctor may analyze its criticality and take appropriate measures to manage it.

People have known asafoetida benefits since ages, but one must always be very cautious while using anything that might cause a health hazard and disturb the well-being of a person.