![[BoDD logo]](../Images/BoDDlogo.gif "Botanical Dermatology Database logo")
![[Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd logo]](../Images/cu_logo.gif){kind=logo}
|
|
|
BORAGINACEAE(Borage or Forget-Me-Not family)• Medicinal / Folk-medicinal aspects: • Members of this family of 2000 species in 100 genera are found in tropical and temperate regions, and are especially well represented in the Mediterranean region. They are herbs or dwarf shrubs, typically being covered with coarse hairs (trichomes). The Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (2003) has recently moved into this family several genera previously classified in the family Hydrophyllaceae, including Nama L., Phacelia Juss., and Wigandia Kunth. Many species are commonly grown in temperate regions as border or rockery plants. These include Myosotis L. species (forget-me-not, scorpion grass), Lithospermum L. species (gromwell, puccoon, red root), Heliotropium L. species (heliotrope, cherry pie), and Echium L. species (viper's bugloss). The roots of some species yield useful dyes. Alkanna tinctoria Tausch (syn. Anchusa tinctoria L.) yields alkanna, otherwise known as alkanet, which has been used by women in France to paint the face (Gerarde 1633). Tincture of Alkanna is used in microscopy for detection of oils and fats (Todd 1967). Lithospermum erythrorhizon Siebold & Zucc. is used in Japan to make a purple dye. Certain boraginaceous plants have an established place in herbal medicine, the most important being borage (Borago officinalis L.), comfrey (Symphytum officinale L.), and lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis L. and Pulmonaria angustifolia L.). It has recently become apparent that all genera in this family may yield possibly hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids. These alkaloids have also been detected in honey originating from bees foraging on, for example, Echium plantagineum L. (Smith & Culvenor 1981). [Information available but not yet included in database] Gardner & Bennetts (1956) describe this as an annual herb covered with almost prickly, spreading stiff yellow hairs. The specific epithet suggests that the plant has irritant properties. The rough hairs of this species have irritant properties (Woods 1962). Both Wren (1975) and Stuart (1979) note that the leaves of this plant may be used externally as a poultice for inflammatory swellings. White (1887) recorded that the short bristly hairs on the leaves are irritant to the hands. Gardner & Bennetts (1956) included this species in a list of plants known or suspected of causing dermatitis. A poultice prepared from this plant has been used in folk medicine as a remedy for haemorrhoids (Wren 1975, Stuart 1979). Stuart (1979) also notes that the bruised leaves may be rubbed on insect bites, but cautions that the plant may cause dermatitis. The fruits are covered with hooks. This species caused an irritating rash to a person who handled the plant. The rash was considered to have been caused by the bristly hairs on the leaves and stems (Aplin 1976). This species can cause a rash when handled by susceptible persons. The rash arises from the abrasive action of its stiff hairs, and possibly also from a contact allergen (Aplin 1966). The hairs of the plant can cause dermatitis (Pammel 1911). Gardner & Bennetts (1956) also list this as a plant known or suspected of causing dermatitis, probably from Pammel (1911). A pharmaceutical worker developed an itching papular eczema from contact with a species from this genus after developing a contact allergy to Duboisia R. Br. (fam. Solanaceae) leaf. Cross sensitivity between the tropane alkaloids in the latter species and the pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the former species was postulated but no patch testing was reported (Trautner 1949).
[Information available but not yet included in database] Gardner & Bennetts (1956) noted that in South Australia this plant has caused sheep mortalities, which have been characterised also by severe manifestations of photosensitisation. Species of this genus may produce irritant patch test reactions (Hjorth 1968). The specific epithet suggests that the plant has irritant properties. The plant may have irritant properties from its rough hairs (Woods 1962). About 200 species are native to North America and the Andes. Plants of this genus can produce a vesicular dermatitis resembling poison ivy dermatitis (Toxicodendron, fam. Anacardiaceae) (Munz 1932, Berry et al. 1962). Walking amongst the plants and handling the flowers produced dermatitis of the lower limbs and on the hands. Patch tests confirmed that the plants were the cause of the dermatitis (Berry et al. 1962). The sap stains the skin brown (Munz 1932). The following species are recorded as being capable of eliciting dermatitis (Munz 1932, Weber 1937, Berry et al. 1962):
Certain other species of Phacelia did not produce dermatitis in sensitised individuals; those eliciting dermatitis belonged to three different sections of the genus, their most obvious common feature being their viscid glandular hairs (Munz 1932). This species occurs naturally in California, USA. The specific epithet irritans suggests that the plant has irritant properties. Woods (1962) describes one patient who developed dermatitis after handling this plant in her garden. A patch test with a leaf provoked diffuse erythema and oedema. In 8 of 17 control subjects tested there was a mild punctate erythema; in the remainder there was no reaction. It appears that there is an individual susceptibility to mechanical irritation by the trichomes, and that allergic sensitisation may also occur. According to Wren (1975), comfrey leaves subdue every kind of inflammatory swelling when used as a fomentation. Stuart (1979) notes that the leaves or macerated root are applied as a poultice, lotion or decoction to wounds, bruises, ulcers and other dermatological complaints. The plant contains allantoin (Todd 1967, Forrest 1982), to which the vulnerary properties of the plant have been ascribed. The hairy leaves of this species have irritant properties (Woods 1962). This hairy plant can produce mechanical injury (Oakes & Butcher 1962).
[Information available but not yet included in database]
von Reis Altschul (1973) found an herbarium note stating that Wigandia reflexa bears spiny, possibly stinging hairs.
All parts of the plant, which is one of the most active stinging nettles found in Panama, are covered with extremely painful stinging hairs (Allen 1943). The plant may be found in cultivation. Vesiculo-bullous dermatitis occurred in a woman who repeatedly came into contact with this plant in cultivation. Patch tests to the leaf and stem gave inconclusive results (Anderson & Ayres 1931). References
|
![[Allantoin]](../Images/Allantoin.gif)
![[MetropolitanMD logo]](../Images/logo_sub.jpg){kind=logo}
![[Valid CSS!]](../Images/vcss.gif){kind=small}
![[Valid HTML 4.01!]](../Images/valid-html401.png){kind=small}