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Herb Uses -O, P, Q Herbs
examinations and organoleptic evaluation. Purity tests are required for the absence of pith-containing stem fragments
greater than 3 mm in diameter and also for the absence of other species. The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia requires
not less than 15% water-soluble extractive, among other quantitative standards. The French Pharmacopoeia requires
not less than 0.8% total flavonoids calculated as vitexin by measuring the absorbance after reaction. The ESCOP
monograph requires that the material comply with the French, German, or Swiss pharmacopeias.
The herb was introduced into United States medicine in 1867 as a sedative and was listed in the National
Formulary from 1916 until 1936. A sedative passion flower chewing gum was even marketed in Romania in 1978. In
1990, a marked increase in passion flower sales was assumed to be a result of consumer concern over using the
amino acid L-tryptophan as a sedative and sleep inducer. The Commission E approved the internal use of
passionflower for nervous restlessness. The British Herbal Compendium indicates its use for sleep disorders,
restlessness, nervous stress, and anxiety. Other uses include neuralgia and nervous tachycardia. The German
Standard License for passionflower tea indicates its use for nervous restlessness, mild disorders of sleeplessness, and
gastrointestinal disorders of nervous origin. It is frequently used in combination with valerian and other sedative plants.
ESCOP indicates its use for tenseness, restlessness, and irritability with difficulty in falling asleep.
Patchouli (Pogostemom patchouli) In China, Japan and Malaysia the herb is used to treat colds, headaches,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain an halitosis. In Japan and Malaysia it is used as an antidote to
poisonous snakebites.
Pellitory (Anacyclus pyrethrum) It treats fluid retention, stones and gravel, dropsy and other urinary
complaints. In European herbal medicine, it is regarded as having a restorative action on the kidneys,
supporting and strengthening their function. It has been prescribed for nephritis, pyelitis (inflammation of the
kidney,” kidney stones, renal colic (pain caused by kidney stones), cystitis, and edema (fluid retention). It is
also occasionally taken as a laxative. It combines well with parsley or wild carrot seed or root. It counteracts
mucus and is useful for chronic coughs. The leaves may be applied as poultices.
Pellitory of the Wall (Parietaria officinalis) The pungent pellitory root is taken as a decoction or chewed to
relieve toothache and increase saliva production. The decoction may also be used as a gargle to soothe sore
throats. In Ayurvedic medicine, the root is considered tonic, and is used to treat paralysis and epilepsy. The
diluted essential oil is used in mouthwashes and to treat toothache. It is an energetic local irritant and
sialagogue, and acts as a rubefacient when applied externally. Its ethereal tincture relieves toothache. The root
chewed has been found useful in some rheumatic and neuralgic affections of the head and face, and in palsy of
the tongue. The decoction has been used as a gargle in relaxation of the uvula. Severe acronarcotic symptoms,
with inflammation of the alimentary tract and bloody stools, were produced in a young child by less than a
drachm of the tincture. The dose is from 30 to 60 grains as a masticatory. Oil of pellitory is made by
evaporating the ethereal tincture.
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium or Hedeoma puleioides) Pennyroyal’s main role is as an insect repellent. The
crushed leaves or essential oil are rubbed on insect bites to reduce their itch and to ward off future attacks. The
crushed green herb has been used to remove the marks of bruises and burns. It has also been taken to relieve
headaches, indigestion, congestion from colds, and menstrual pain. Hot pennyroyal tea is one of the best herbs
to produce sweating and reduce a fever. Pennyroyal’s nature is to make intelligent choices and carry through
clearly and without regret. Pennyroyal is an ovarian tonic; it also eases cramps, eliminates gas, calms nausea
and relieves nervous tension. Pennyroyal encourages menses. Its oil is abortifacient and can be fatal. The
leaves of pennyroyal are nervine, diaphoretic, and antiseptic, used for colds, fevers, headaches, and sunstroke.
Pennyroyal is a renewing wash for itching, burning skin.
Pepper (Piper nigrum) Pepper has long been recognized as an ingredient for stimulating the appetite as well as
being an aid in the relief of nausea and vertigo. It was used to treat gastro-intestinal upsets, flatulence, fevers
and congestive chills. It is supposed to be of help in anal, rectal and urinary troubles. In India it has been used
as a medicine since time immemorial for the treatment of anything from paralysis to toothache. East Africans
are said to believe that body odor produced after eating substantial amounts of pepper repels mosquitoes. Black
pepper contains four anti-osteoporosis compounds. It is of singular importance as a metabolic stimulant in
Ayurvedic medicine. Black pepper has the ability to recirculate vital nutrients. When fasting, grind seven
peppercorns and take them mixed with a little honey each morning.
Perilla (Perilla frutescens (green); P.f. Atropurpurea (purple)) Perilla is effective to improve stomach
functions. Perilla is also used for perspiration, fever and cough alleviation, pain removing and stomach function
improvement in Oriental medicine.
Perilla (Perilla frutescens Britt.), a traditional Chinese herb has recently received special attention because
of its beneficial effects in the treatment of some kinds of allergic reactions without the side effects associated
with some other used anti-allergy medicines. Experiments in vivo and in vitro found that among 18 kinds of
vegetables, Perilla and ginger were the most active in reducing TNF production and its activity, which is linked
with the allergy and inflammation. It has also been found that Perilla seed oil is rich in n-3 fatty acid
(a-linolenic acid) which also has some benefit in the treatment of allergy. Reports trace back the traditional use
of Perilla leaf and seed for hundreds of years in the treatment of asthma and some symptoms associated with
what is now known as allergy. Also, the traditional method of cooking crab or shellfish with Perilla leaves, in
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