ROSACEAE

T
he rose family consists of some 3500 species Aphanes arvensis Prunus serotina
worldwide mainly distributed in temperate Crataegus spp. Rosa eglanteria
and warm regions of the Northern Hemi- Filipendula ulmaria Rubus idaeus
sphere. Most species contain tannins, and only a
few contain alkaloids. Because most of the world’s
temperate fruits belong to this family, it is of great Agrimonia eupatoria
economic importance. Agrimony
General characteristics
• Leaves may be simple or compound, alternate,
usually spirally arranged though they are
opposite in one genus
• Stipules are usually present
• Flowers have 5 free petals in a regular circle and
are usually bisexual. The floral tube is normally
present, the receptacle forming a shallow cup
• The calyx has five free but often overlapping
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sepals, usually green and often leaf-like

• Stamens usually numerous, and arranged in
rings of 5
• Carpels one to many Family Rosaceae
• Fruits very varied and may be a pome, achene,
drupe or, rarely, a capsule
Description
Medicinal plants of the Rosaceae are: A leafy perennial to 60 cm, which dies back to a
Agrimonia eupatoria Fragaria vesca rosette in winter. Leaves pinnate with 2–4 pairs
Alchemilla vulgaris Potentilla erecta of larger, oval, saw-toothed leaflets 2–6 cm,

370

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alternating with smaller leaflets. Leaves and
stem have dense, spreading non-glandular hairs.
Stipules leaf-like. Flowers borne on long, slen-
der, terminal and often branched, leafless spikes.
They are numerous, yellow, stalkless and small,
each 5–8 mm across. Fruit are about 6 mm across,
obconical, deeply grooved, hairy, with spreading
hooked bristles above. Flowers from mid-summer
to autumn.
Habitat and cultivation
Native to Europe, growing along edges of woods
and hedges and in meadows. Grown from seed
and will self-sow. It prefers a sunny situation and
moist, well drained soil. A. parviflora is used in
North America. Drought and frost resistant.
Parts used
The herb harvested at or just prior to flowering.
Active constituents
1) Flavonoids including derivatives of luteolin,
apigenin, quercetin and kaempferol.1,2 Also
isoflavonoids daidzen and biochanin3
2) Oligomeric procyanidins based mainly on cat-
echin and consisting of 2–4 units4
3) Tannins (up to 8%)5
4) Phenolic acids including p-coumaric and pro-
tocatechuic acids4
5) Terpenoids
Also contains volatile oil, silicic acid and
coumarins.
Nutritional constituents
Vitamins: C,6 K and niacin
Minerals: Iron and large amounts of silicon
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Actions
1) Astringent
2) Diuretic
3) Tonic
Scientific information
There has been very little scientific study of this
herb and its use is largely dictated by history. How-
ever the recent isolation of oligomeric procyanidins,
Fisher, Carole. Materia Medica of Western Herbs, Aeon Books, 2018. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/think/detail.action?docID=5438109.
Created from think on 2024-02-16 01:53:47.
rosaceae    371
which are pharmacologically active (see Crataegus),
may lead to renewed interest.
In vitro—Agrimonia has very good anti-oxidant
activity, although the strength of this applica-
tion may depend on the extracting medium,7
it is likely due to the phenolic fraction.4,8,9
This activity is probably linked to the tradi-
tional anti-inflammatory action attributed to
the herb.4
The isoflavonoids have phyto-oestrogenic
potential.3
Some antimicrobial activity has been established
for Agrimonia. It is antiviral against hepatitis B virus
(this activity was highest in plants harvested when
in flower).10 The seed extract (also anti-oxidant)
is antibacterial against Bacillus subtilis, B. cereus,
Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.11 The herb
inhibits Mycobacterium tuberculosis (based on old
research).
Agrimonia has been used traditionally in the
treatment of diabetes12 and whilst this action has
been demonstrated in animals in vivo, no human
studies have been recorded.
In vivo—There is an historical reference to the
herb being used with success in the local treatment
of cutaneous porphyria (Potter’s).
Medicinal uses
Gastro-intestinal tract
Its main use is in the digestive tract where it can
improve assimilation of nutrients and heal and
soothe this tract.
• diarrhoea in children
• mucous colitis
• chronic cholecystopathies with gastric sub-
acidity (Weiss)
• chronic appendicitis
• chronic gastritis
Urinary tract
• urinary incontinence
• cystitis
Externally
• sore throat (gargle)
• chronic nasopharyngeal catarrh