Dear colleagues, this formula, included in the German Standardized Formulas (Standardisierte Rezepturen); is prepared over-the-counter by pharmacists in pharmacies in Germany and used for patients’ flatulence complaints. Before moving on to the tea formula, I would like to briefly mention the Science of Phytotherapy, which means treatment with plants.
Phytotherapy means treatment with plants. The term was first used by French physician Henri Leclerc (1870-1953) in the medical journal La Presse Médicale. Mankind has sought benefits from plants since ancient times to treat diseases and has reaped the rewards. The plants used in this treatment method contain certain vitamins, minerals, organic acids, essential oils, oligo-elements, carbohydrates, enzymes, hormones, and proteins. In other words, plants with beneficial contents for the body are used in this treatment method. It is known that medicinal plants have been used for centuries both in the treatment of diseases and for preventive purposes.
As in the rest of the world, in our country, the professional group receiving undergraduate and postgraduate education in the science of Phytotherapy is Pharmacists. While pharmacists in many countries, especially in Germany, are authorized to prepare non-prescription tea mixtures in their pharmacies, in our country, pharmacists eagerly await legal regulations to be able to prepare tea mixtures that can be used in the treatment of minor ailments.
Rp.
Caraway (Carum carvi L.) 20.0 g
Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) 20.0 g
German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) 20.0 g
Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) 20.0 g
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) 20.0 g
Substances included in the formula;
Caraway (Carum carvi L.) – Carvi – Wiesenkümmel;
Caraway (Carum carvi L.) is a taprooted, herbaceous plant approximately 30-100 cm tall, belonging to the Apiaceae or Umbelliferae family, naturally growing from Europe to Western Asia. Native to the Mediterranean region, the plant grows wild in wetland areas in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. It is cultivated in Central Anatolia and the Eastern Black Sea Region. Under the name Karaman cumin, it is included in the composition of the seasoning paste on pastırma. Caraway seed has a unique and pleasant aroma. In flavor, it is spicy and slightly pungent. Caraway fruit (Carvi fructus), used as a drug, is utilized whole or in powder form. In folk medicine, caraway is used as a galactagogue (to increase breast milk in nursing mothers) and as an emmenagogue (to promote menstrual flow). Additionally, it is used for antispasmodic purposes in cases of gastrointestinal cramps, gas, and fullness in the stomach and intestines. Since its essential oil stimulates gastric secretion, it is also used as an appetite stimulant, stomachic, and digestive aid.
Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) extract – Anisi extractum – Anise (Pimpinella anisum) extract;
Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) is a plant belonging to the parsley family (Umbelliferae or Apiaceae). It is native to the Mediterranean basin and Western Asia. It is cultivated in Southern Europe, the Mediterranean basin, the Near East, and India. Over twenty species of anise (Pimpinella) grow wild in Anatolia. In our country, it is most widely cultivated in Burdur. This species is an annual herbaceous plant, 30-70 cm tall, pubescent, with white flowers. Its leaves are fragrant. Anise fruit (fructus anisi) is obtained by drying the ripe fruits of the plant. It has carminative and mild expectorant effects.
German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) – Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) – Chamomilla vulgaris;
German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the daisy family (Compositae). Among Matricaria species, this species, native to Eurasia and the most common, is also known as medicinal chamomile. Its height varies between 20-50 cm. The multi-branched plant has divided leaves. The yellow center of its white flowers is dome-shaped. It grows abundantly on roadsides, uncultivated rural areas, and fields. It is an appetite stimulant, sedative, carminative, and cholagogue. Its infusion is applied externally as a gargle against throat inflammation. It is applied as a dressing for pain relief and soothing on inflamed wounds and hemorrhoids. It can be applied as a poultice in the early stages of inflammation.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) leaf – Pfefferminzblatt – Menthae piperitae folium [PH7];
It is a perennial, sharply scented herbaceous plant from the mint family (Labiatae). The number of species forming the Mentha genus is around 25. Mentha piperita L., known as peppermint, is widely cultivated in Europe, Asia, and North America. It has serrated, petiolate dark green leaves and pink-lilac colored flowers blooming at the ends of branches. Its leaves are added to food as a culinary herb. In folk medicine, it is used against nausea and as a carminative (gas reliever). Peppermint essence, a sharply scented and cooling colorless essential oil, is obtained from its flowering and leafy branches by steam distillation. Peppermint essence mainly contains menthol and menthone. The essence is added as a flavoring agent to the composition of confectionery, chewing gums, toothpastes, and pharmaceuticals.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) – Baldrian – Valeriana sylvestris Grosch.;
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) is a perennial aromatic herbaceous plant from the Valerianaceae family. It blooms in June-July. The plant, approximately 1-1.5 meters tall, has 5-petaled white flowers. The parts used as drugs are its roots and rhizomes. These subterranean parts, which have a characteristic spicy and strong aroma, are covered with a yellowish-brown bark. In Turkey, it grows in meadows and roadsides at altitudes of 1500-2000 m around Marmara, Eastern Anatolia, Eastern Black Sea, and Antalya. The number of species in Turkey is around 10. Valerian root (Radix Valerianae) is used orally for indications such as sleep disorders, gastritis, indigestion, hypertension, insomnia, somatoform autonomic dysfunction, and bedwetting. It consists of rhizomes, roots, and stolons collected in September-October and dried below 40°C. It is a drug with a characteristic, pungent odor, leaving an initially sweet, then burning spicy taste in the mouth. Dry valerian root extract is prepared from its rhizomes, roots, and stolons dried below 40°C.
Preparation of the formula;
In summary; our formula, which consists of a total tea mass of 100 g comprising 20 g caraway, 20 g anise, 20 g German chamomile flowers, 20 g peppermint leaves, and 20 g valerian root, can be mixed homogeneously and stored in a sealed container for 10 days. When used, pour one dessert spoon of the tea mixture over 150 ml of boiling water, let it steep for 5-10 minutes, then strain and drink.
Wishing you a good week…
References;
1- Standardisierte Rezepturen (NRF/SR)
2- RxMediaPharma® 2016 Interactive Drug Information Source.
Spec. Pharm. Ahmet Nezihi Pekcan
Pekcan Pharmacy – Konya
[email protected]
Tel: (332) 3520657
http://www.majistralformul.com/
