The Herbal Medicine-Maker's Handbook_ A Home Manual - James Green [56]
All the important alkaloids have profound physiological and pharmacological effects on the body, and some on the mind; many of them are the most poisonous plant substances known.
The chemical composition of alkaloids is not fully understood. All of them, however, contain nitrogen, which is a sort of “so what” bit of information to me, but all the other books mention this fact, so I thought I probably should too.
Please keep in mind, that while alkaloids and their salts have distinctive therapeutic properties of their own, they do not fully nor exactly represent the action of the whole plant from which they are derived.
Please keep in mind, that while alkaloids and their salts have distinctive therapeutic properties of their own, they do not fully nor exactly represent the action of the whole plant from which they are derived.
The names of alkaloids end in ine, such as morphine, caffeine, cocaine, and quinine. Nicotine, which is found in tobacco, is a true alkaloid. It is very similar to the alkaloids cicutine and coniine that are found in the seeds and root of Hemlock, a plant which can cause progressive paralysis of the nervous system and death. Nicotine is also quite similar to lobeline, an alkaloid found in Lobelia, which can help people stop smoking.
Balsams (Balsama)
Balsams are resins or oleoresins containing large proportions of benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, or esters of these acids. Balsams are soluble in alcohol and insoluble in water. In plants, balsams are a combination of resins and essential oils (see “Oleoresins”). Examples: Tolu balsam, Peru balsam, and Benzoin.
Bitter compounds
Physiologically, all bitters have a bitter flavor. This flavor stimulates the body into reflex action and sets the glands (especially of the digestive system) to work producing their various effects. In certain plants, the bitter principle prepares the way for the other active ingredients. In Hops, for example, a sedative is combined with the bitter substance. Most bitter compounds are soluble in water and, on the whole, soluble in alcohol. Optimal amounts of bitters are derived with menstrua having 30 percent to 60 percent alcohol. Other examples of bitter herbs: Wormwood, Dandelion, Mugwort, Feverfew, Gentian, and Globe Artichoke.
Camphors (Camphorae)
Physically and chemically, camphors are closely related to volatile oils. They constitute one of the elements of many of the volatile oils, and may be separated from them by subjecting the oils to a cooling process (for example, menthol from Peppermint oil). Camphors at ordinary temperatures are (mostly) solid bodies, but may be easily melted. They are soluble in alcohol, insoluble in water. Examples: menthol and camphor—from Camphor Tree wood (Cinnamomum camphora).
Essential oils, volatile oils
These components are volatile and aromatic at low temperatures. Essential oils are very soluble in alcohol, soluble in fixed oils and glycerin, very slightly soluble in cold water, and they are vaporized by boiling water. They form the basis of the various medicinal waters and hydrosols (see “Oils and fats”).
Enzymes
Enzymes are organic catalysts produced by animal and vegetable cells. An enzyme usually acts to break down or build up the molecules of one substance or group, since it is specific for a particular linkage. They are soluble in water, and insoluble in alcohol. Enzymes are rendered inactive in alcoholic solutions and are destroyed by high temperature. The addition of alcohol to a fresh plant extract containing glycosides prevents the destruction of the glycosides by enzymes.
Flavonoids
Flavonoids are a widely distributed group of plant constituents based on two phenolic rings. Because of their structure they are all anti-oxidants and are fundamental to all colors other