Taxonomic Class

Rubiaceae

Common Trade Names

Mitchella repens, Partridge Berry, Squaw Vine Source

Squaw vine is the dried plant of Mitchella repens Linne, common to the woodlands of the central and eastern United States. The plant blooms in July and is usually harvested late in summer.

Chemical Components

The leaves of the plant contain resin, wax, mucilage, dextrin, and tannin. The leaves are also thought to contain glycosides and saponins.

Actions

Tannic acid has local astringent properties that act on GI mucosa, which is thought to occur through binding and precipitation of proteins, and forms insoluble complexes with select heavy metal ions, alkaloids, and glycosides. It has also been shown to have antisecretory and antiulcerative effects within the GI tract because of an inhibitory action on the gastric enzyme system. Saponins are usually less toxic to humans after oral ingestion, but when administered I.V., they act as potent hemolytics.

Reported Uses

Squaw vine has been used as an astringent, a diuretic, and a tonic. Because its tonic properties are thought to work primarily on the uterus, squaw vine has been used extensively as an aid in labor and childbirth. Native Americans were the first to use the plant to make parturition safer and easier. It has also been used in cases of abdominal pain associated with menstruation, abnormal menstruation, and heavy bleeding . Other claims include its use as a remedy for amenorrhea, diarrhea, dysentery, dysuria, edema, gonorrhea, hysteria, kidney stones, polyuria, and vaginitis. Crushed squaw vine berries have been mixed with myrrh and used for sore nipples. The use of squaw vine is based on traditional and anecdotal reports, not on controlled human clinical trials.

Dosage

Liquid extract: Yo to 1 tsp P.O. t.i.d.

Squaw vine (dried): 30 to 60 grains (2 to 4 g) P.O.

Tincture: 1 to 2 ml P.O. t.i.d.

Adverse Reactions

GI: heartburn, hepatotoxicity (rare).

Other: irritated mucouS membranes. Interactions

Alkaloid-related drugs (atropine, scopolamine), iron-containing products:Tannic acid may slow metabolic breakdown. Monitor the patient.

Cardiac glycosides: Risk of increased effect of these drugs. Use together cautiously.

Disulfiram: Disulfiram reaction can occur if herbal form contains alcohol Do not use together. Contraindications and Precautions

Squaw vine is contraindicated during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. Use cautiously in patients with preexisting hepatic disease or complications.

Special Considerations

* Saponin glycosides have a bitter taste and are irritating to the mucous membranes.

* Monitor liver function test results. Advise the patient to immediately discontinue use of squaw vine if transaminase levels become elevated.

* Urge women to report planned or suspected pregnancy.

* Advise the patient to immediately report symptoms of hepatic dysfunction (fever, jaundice, right upper quadrant pain).

Caution the patient taking disulfiram not to take an herbal form that contains alcohol.

Commentary

Although there appears to be widespread use of squaw vine as a medicinal herb, none of these claims has been studied or proved in animals or humans.

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Autor: David Jones

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