New Zealand Medicinal Plants S. G. BROOKER and R. C. COOPER 1 Despite the small area of New Zealand, comparable with that of California, it constitutes a distinctive botanic region. Of the approximate number of two thousand species of higher plants found, 7 5 ~ are endemic to the country. Many unusual plants occur and the chemical investigations conducted to date have confirmed the unique nature of the flora. In view of these facts it is surprising that only a few native plants have been commercially exploited. Several of the trees, notably Agathis australis, Dacry-

dium cupressinum, Podocarpus totara. P. dacrydioides, and Vitex lucens yield useful timber, but the stands of these have largely been worked out. New Zealand flax, Phormium tenax, is cultivated for its fibre which is made into ropes and matting. Kauri gum (really a fossil product) up to a value of s million has been exported but it is a declining article of commerce. It has been shown that useful dyestuffs can be produced from a number of plants, particularly in the genus Coprosma, but no commercial exploitation has resulted. Pharmacology is probably the most promising field for extending the use of New Zealand native plants and it should therefore be of value to have a check list of those plants reported to have been used medicinally by the natives of New Zealand. This nmst necessarily include usage by early settlers as it cannot be decided with certainty what the settlers learned from the Maori and vice versa. Indeed some authorities on Maori culture believe that all medicinal use of plants by the natives was learned from the white man's example--a conclusion 1Auckland Institute and Museum, Auckland. New Zealand. Received for publication 29 October, 1959.

which seems contrary to the observations of Captain Cook and other early visitors to New Zealand. Other students of the Maori suggest that pre-European use of plants was external, e.g., in vapor baths and embrocations, and that the natives extended the use of these herbs after the pakeha (white man) arrived.

Historical Aspects To see this question in its proper perspective, a few historical details are appropriate. Aside from a brief visit by the Dutchman, Abel Tasman, in 1642, European contact with the Maoris of New Zealand began with the visit of Captain James Cook in 1769. This visit was largely scientific in its purpose, and Cook was accompanied by two eminent botanists Sir Joseph Banks and Dr. Solander who laid the foundations of our knowledge of the New Zealand flora. Cook was a pioneer in recognizing the value of fresh fruit and greens as antiscorbutics in the diet of his crew and he lost no opportunity to try out any suitable plants during his voyages of exploration. One of these was the New Zealand spinach (Tetragonia expansa). The Maoris may have learned from examples of this kind, but Cook certainly records the indigenous use of vapor baths in which various herbs were employed. In the following years a number of navigators, explorers, whalers, and other sea captains visited New Zealand. Some lived among the Maoris and kept a few records while others made only a brief stay. In 1826 there were still only a handful of permanent white residents, mainly missionaries, but the Rev. Willlam Williams recorded in his diary that Epsom Salts was a favorite remedy with the natives and that he had brought a

2

ECONOMIC BOTANY

TABLE I lAST OF MAORI MEDICINAL PLAXTS

Plant

Part Used

Reputed Use

Algae

Durvillea anlarctica Porphyra colmnbina

Tender end Whole plant fermented

Scabies, worms, eczema Aperient

Reddish dust

Burns

Lembophyllum clandestinum

Whole plant or leaves

Venereal disease, bleeding.

Lichens ?, (species unknown) Filices

Dried powdered plant

Cutaneous eruptions.

Root infusion Root Whole plant ? ? Leaves Pith Pith

Skin troubles, sore eyes. Skin troubles. Vapor baths. Scalds of infants. Chewed for sore mouth and tongue. Ulcers. Poultice for skin sores. Swollen feet and sore eyes; dressing for sores and chafings. Inflamed mammae; Boils; to assist discharge of placenta. Wounds, poisoned hands. Vermifuge, diarrhea. Skin sores and ulcers, boils. Diarrhea. Food for invalids; sea sickness; influenza. Severe burns. Dysentery.

Fungi

Calvatea caelata Musci

Asplenium bulbiferum Asplenium obtusatnm Azolla rubra Blechnum fluviatile Cardiomanes renqorme Cyathea dealbata Cyathea medullaris

Young fronds

Cyclosorus pennigerus Marattia salicina Pteridium esculentum

Slimy tissue Gum Roots Rhizome Root Burnt fronds Fronds

check

menstrual

Coniferae

Agathis auslralis Dacrydium cupr es ~inum

Phyllocladus trichomanoides Podocarpus dacrydioides Podocarpus [errugineus

Podocarpus spicatus Podocarpus totara

Gum Infusion of ? Gum Inner bark Sap Leaves Branches Bark Leaves Leaves Bark Oil Gum Leaves & bark Bark Sap Smoke from burning wood Bark Inner bark

Burns. Ulcers. Stopping flow of blood internally and externally. Burns, wounds. Baldness. Sores. Scurvy. Dysentery. Scrofula. Vapor baths; urinary and other internal complaints. Bruises, tonic. Tonic after fever. Wounds and ulcers. Gonorrhea. Stomach ache; antiseptic. Consumption. Skin disease, venereal disease, piles. Splints in bone fracture. Fever.

Angiospermae AGAVACEAE

Cordyline australis Phormium colensoi Phormium tenax

Leaves Scrapings of leaves Young shoots ? Gum Root sap

Dysentery, diarrhea, cuts. Cuts, skin cracks, sores. Colic, tonic for nursing mothers. Skin diseases. Burns, wounds, old sores; diarrhea. Constipation; gunshot and bayonet wounds.

NEW ZEALAND MEDICINAL PLANTS

Decoction of the root

Root Butts of leaves Fibre Leaves (strongest parts) ARACEAE Zantedesehia aethiopiea ARALIACEAE Meryta sinclairii Scheffiera digitata CHENOPODIACEAE Chenopodium album COMPOSITAE Brachyglottis repanda

Cehnisia sp. Gnaphalium keriense Lagenophora petiolata Onophordon aeanthium Sonehus oleraeeus

Taraxacum magellanicnm CONVOLVULACEAE Calystegia sepium Ipomoea batatas CORIARIACEAE Coriaria arborea

Rhizome

CORYNOCARPACEAE Corynocarpus laevigata CRUCIFERAE Brassica oleracea Brasslca rapa Lepidium oleraeeum Nasturtium ofieinale CUNONIACEAE Weinmannia racemoaa V~Zei~mannla sylvlcola CYPERACEAE Mariscus ustulalus Scirpus lacustris

Flatulence, wounds and amputations, chilblains, tonic, stoppage of menses, constipation, stomach upsets, worms, foul breath. Colds, headaches, abscesses, swollen joints, worms, wounds, general tonic, ringworm, skin chafing. Burns, wounds, lacerations, constipation, rheumatism, sciatica, gonorrhea, tumors, abscesses. Wounds (as a dressing). (Splints for) broken limbs. Abscesses, boils.

? Sap

Used to produce abortion. Scrofula, ringworm.

Leaves (infusion)

Boils, blood trouble.

Leaves Gum Leaves Leaf sap Sap Sap Sap and leaves

Roots

Wounds, ulcers, boils. Foul breath. Asthma. Bruises. Ulcerated mouth, general complaints. Cuts and sores. Cutaneous eruptions, stomach complaints, carbuncles. Hemorrhage after childbirth. Also used as blood purifier, antiscorbutic, and slight laxative, and on cuts to prevent poisoning. Alterative.

Root Whole plant or in[usion

Poor flow of milk in women. Low fever, skin diseases.

Shoots

Pith (Plaster) Sap (Plaster) Fruit Bark Root

Boils, bleeding cuts, dysentery, sprains, bruises. Sores, cuts and inflammation, dysen tery, wounds, broken legs, bruises. Wounds, insanity, broken bones. Broken bones. Constipation. Broken bones. Neuralgia, rheumatism, eyestrain.

Extract of leaves ? Inner bark

Stomach ache. Constipation. Scrofula, venereal disease.

Leaves

Wounds.

? Juice I.eaves Whole plant

Colic. Hemorrhage after childbirth Scurvy. Headaches (applied as a pack)

Bark Bark

Burus, cuts.

Pith Leaf sap

Kidney trouble. Blindness.

Extract of leaves

CORNACEAE Corokia buddleoides Griselinia littoralis

3

Stomach pains, constipation, t,.,h

4

ELAEOCARPACEAE Aristotelia serrata

Elaeocarpus dentatus EPACRIDACEAE Cyathodes acerosa Leucopogon fasciculatus ERICACEAE Gaultheria antipoda EUPHORBIACEAE Euphorbia glauca Euphorbia peplus FICOIDACEAE Disphyma australe (also known as Mesembryanthemum australe) Tetragonia expanaa GERANIACEAE Geranium dissectum Geranium microphyllum Geranium molle

Pelargonium inodorum GESNERIACEAE Rhabdothamnus solandri GRAMINEAE Arundo kakaho

Hierochloe redolens Poa caespitosa HALORAGIDACEAE Haloragis erecta HYPERICACEAE Hypericum perforatum LABIATAE Mentha cunninghamii LAURACEAE Beilschmiedia tawa Litsea calicaris LEGUMINOSAE Sophora tetraptera

Sophora mlcrophylla LILIACEAE Arthropodium cirrhotum LOGANIACEAE Geniostoma ligustrifolium MAGNOLIACEAE (WINTERACEAE) Pseudowintera axillaris

ECONOMIC BOTANY

Leaves Extract of leaves Infusion of bark Decoction of bark

Burns Burns, rheumatism, boils, sore eyes. Sore eyes, rheumatism. Skin disease.

Leaves (infusion). Leaves (infusion).

Kidney trouble, asthma, menstrua.1 disorders, septic wounds. Headaches and influenza.

Leaves Infusion of leaves

Wounds, cuts. Wounds, cuts, asthma.

Whole plant (infusion) Whole plant (infusion)

Skin troubles. Skin troubles.

Sap

Boils.

Leaves

Scurvy.

Leaves

?

Infusion Leaves Leaves

(infusion)

Boils, sore backs. Aches and pains. Chest pains in tuberculosis, sepsis wounds, contusions. Burns, pimples, scalds, bruises. Foul breath.

Leaves & twigs

Vapor baths.

Ash Fronds Leaves Stem Juice

? Whole plant

Burns. Bleeding. Diarrhea. Kidney trouble. Dirty tongue in infants. Vapor baths. Rheumatic pains, burns

Sap or infusion

Scrofula.

?

Headaches, measles, influenza.

?

Used as a diaphoretic.

? ?

Wounds, stomach pains, colds. Used in vapor baths and midwifery.

Bark Sap Ashes Infusion Bark infusion

Pains internally or in back or side Constipation, itch, scrofula, tumors. broken limbs, bruises. Gonorrhea. Ringworm. Colds and sore throats. Pains internally or in back or side, skin disease, bruises and fractures.

Base of leaves Roots

Ulcers. Unbroken tumors and abscesses.

Sap Bark

Skin disease in children. Itch.

Bark

Fever.

NEW ZEALAND MEDICINAL PLANTS

MALVACEAE Hoheria populnea Dysoxylum spectabile

Sap Leaves (infusion) Leaves (chewed) Leaves (rubbed on breasts)

Skin disease, gonorrhea. Stomach ache, skin disease. Toothache. Wean infants.

Bark (infusion) Leaves and bark

Colds, weak and sore eyes, burns. Tonic, stomach troubles, coughing, to stop flow of milk. Consumption. Lung hemorrhage, colds, fever tonic, "woman's disorders," sore throats, boils, gonorrhea. Convulsions.

Red pulp Infusion of leaves Whole plant (?) MONIMIACEAE Hedyearya arborea t.aurelia novae-zealandiae MYOPORACEAE Myoporumlaetum MYRSINACEAE Myrsine australis MYRTACEAE Eucalyptus globulus

Eugenia maire Leptospermum ericoides and L. scoparium

Leaves Bark (infusion)

Vapor baths. Tuberculosic and chronic ulcers, skin complaints, toothache, syphilis, neuralgia.

Bark Twigs & leaves Leaves

Ulcers, eruptions, toothache. Steam bath. Bruises, septic wounds, baby eczema.

Leaves (infusion)

Toothache.

Leaves (infusion)

Post-partum bath and to cure postpartum hemorrhage, asthma. Ringworm. Diarrhea, colic, fever, inflammation, of breast. Open wounds, running sores. Scalds, burns, coughing, given to suckling infants to cure constipation. Sedative, dysentery, diarrhea, skin disease, internal and external pains, fever, mouth, throat, eye trouble, inflamed breasts. Blood and breath purifiers. Colds, pains internal and external, dysentery, vapor baths, urinary and internal complaints. Pains, bleeding, wounds. Women's complaints. Diarrhea. Sore throat. Sore throat. Sores, bleeding, ringworm, colds, bruises, aches, pains and wounds, venereal disease. Stops bleeding of wounds, tonic. Toothache. Eye troubles, wounds, tonic, coughs, antiseptic. Sores, bleeding. Bruises. Dysmenorrhea.

Bark Capsules (infusion) Capsules (poultice) Gum Bark (infusion)

Sap Leaves (infusion)

Metrosideros albiflora Metrosideros excelsa MetrosMeros robusta

Mctrosideros sfandens

5

Bark (infusion) Sap Bark (infusion) Nectar from flowers Nectar Bark (infusion) Sap Leaves Sap

Myrtus bullata Myrtus obcordata

Bark Leaves Bark & berries (infusion)

ONAGRACEAE Fuchsia excorticata

Whole plant

Vapor bath and internal hemorrhage after childbirth.

Pith and sap

Relax muscles in childbirth, laxative.

Seed oil

Chronic sores, chapped nipples.

PALMAE Rhopalostylis sapida PASSIFLORACEAE Tetrapathaea tetrandra

6 PIPERACEAE Microfiper excelsum

ECONOMIC BOTANY Leaves & bark Leaves

Root Fruit and seeds PITTOSPORACEAE Pittosporum eugenioides Pittosporum tenulfolium

Gum

?

I,eaves PLANTAGINACEAE Planta9o sp.

Leaves (poultice) Leaves (infusion) Sap Whole plant (?)

POLYGONACEAE Polygomtm serr~tlalum Rumex sp. PROTEACEAE Kniqhtea excelsa RANUNCULACEAE Clematis hexasepala

Clematis paniculata

Cuts, wounds, stomach pains, gonorrhea, steam baths. Boils, toothache, stomach pains, skin disease, kidney trouble, eczema, V.D., bruises, rheumatism, wounds, worms, blood impurity, bladder complaints. Toothache, urinary complaints. Excite the salivary glands, kidneys and bowels. Slightly diuretic and aphrodisiac. Foul breath. Itch, eczema of scalp and skin diseases. Ague. Ulcers. Scalds, burns, uterine disorders, retention of the placenta, cuts, boils. Cracked lips, boils, burns, cuts, pains generally, septic wounds. Piles.

Whole plant (infusion) Similar uses to Phmtago sp.

Rheumatic pains.

Bark

Used on wounds to heal and stop bleeding.

Bark and stems (infusion) Leaves

Mild alterative. Used to produce blisters as a counter irritant. Wounds. Colds in the head. Toothache, inflamed eyes, abrasions. Rheumatism and joint diseases. Quinsy.

Rammcuhts hirt,ts Rammculus riwtlaris

Sap Bark and wood Whole plant Sap Infusion of leaves

RHAMNACEAE Pomaderris elliptica

Leaves (infusion)

All chest complaints, bronchitis and consumption, heartburn, kidney complaints, skin cancer, diabetes, coughs, sores, eolds, constipation, asthma. Said to be blood and skin purifier.

ROSACEAE Acaena sang~dsorbae

Leaves (infusion)

Ge~tm **rba~*~*m R~tbus cissoldes

Leaf Bark (infusion)

Wounds and contusions, painful micturitlon, rheumatism, kidney and bladder trouble, stomach troubles and as a general tonic. Diarrhea, dysentery, foul breath. Purgative in cases of severe abdominal pain. Vapor baths to assist in childbirth. Dysmenorrhea. Congestion in the chest, hard cough. sore throat, constipation.

Decoction (of?) Leaves (infusion) RUBIACEAE Coprosma australis Coprosma acerosa Coprosma robust~t

Sap Leaves (infusion) Leaves (poultice) Bark (infusion) Young shoots

Skin diseases. Broken limbs, bruises, fever, cuts, festered sores, kidney trouble. Broken limbs. Broken limbs, bruises, scabies, itch. cuts, stomach ache, vomiting, aches and pains, venereal disease. Bladder stoppage and inflammation.

NEW ZEALAND MEDICINAL

Galium umbrosum RUTACEAE Melicope ternata SAPINDACEAE Alectryon excelsum

Whole plant

Gonorrhea--particularly with tion of urine.

Gum

Foul breath.

Oil

Weak eyes, sore wounds, sore breasts, chapped skins, bruises, painful joints, earache, constipation, sore or hard navel in the newborn. Itemorrhage in consumption.

ICed pulp S(2ROPttULAR[ACEA I; tlebe salicilolia (Veronica saliciJolia)

Whole plant l.eaves (infusion)

Leaves (poultice) Sap SMILACEAE Rhipoammm scemdeus

SOLANACEA F. Solamtm aviculare and S. laciniatum

Solanum tuberosum TYPHACEAE Typha angustifolia UMBELLIFERAE An.qelica rosaefolia Apium prostratum URTICACEAE Urlica ferox VERBENACEAE Vitex lucens VIOLACEAE Melicytus ramiflorus

7

PLANTS

reten-

Vapor baths. Dysentery (very effective), infantile diarrhea, kidney and bladder troubles, skin troubles, headaches, laxative, to promote easy delivery in childbirth, also as mouthwash and gargle. Ulcers, venereal disease. Sldn disease.

Young shoots

Cauterizing wounds. Venereal disease. Wounds, also demulcent. Rheumatism, bowel complaints, fever, general debility, skin disease, seeondary symptoms of syphilis. Also used to produce abortion and as a substitute for sarsaparilla. Itch.

Whole plant

Poultice for sores, ulcers.

Sap

Itch, scabies, wounds, produced by tattooing instruments. Bruises. Scabies, ulcers, itch. Wounds, cuts. Pimples, ague, skin eruptions, burns.

Stem (burnt) Stem (poultice) Sap Root (infusion)

Pith of stem Bark Leaves Water in which tuber is boiled. Pappus of seeds Rhizome (infusion)

Wounds, ulcerated sores. Assist removal of the afterbirth.

Leaves Whole plant

Used as diuretic and in syphilis. Vapor baths, antiscorbutic.

Bark (infusion)

Eczema and venereal disease.

Leaves (infusion)

Sprains and backache, ulcers (especially under the ear), sore throats. Rheumatism, scabies. Burns.

Leaves (infusion) Bark

supply from E n g l a n d which sold at s a hundredweight. L a t e r students of the M a o r i r e p o r t that " H e developed a m a r vellous appetite for medicine no m a t t e r w h a t the r e m e d y might be, or w h e t h e r he possessed a n y aihnent or not." T h e situation is f u r t h e r confused by

the difficulties of the M a o r i language in which one w o r d has several meanings and by a lack of interest in the subject by the early t r a d e r s a n d missionaries. The M a o r i certainly used plants in various mystical rites associated with sickness a n d death, and it is b a r d 1o decide where

8

ECONOMIC BOTANY

magic ended and medicine began. Because of all these factors it might be emphasized that the inclusion of plants in the list below does not mean they were necessarily effective in medicine. Few genuine cures can be substantiated and some of the concoctions contained known poisons. Nevertheless the list may give some clues to the use of these plants or their products in modern pharmacy. To round off this paper we have included a list of compounds found in New Zealand plants of actual or potential value in pharmacy. In the final part of this paper we propose to review briefly those plants and chemical substances found in them which appear to be of potential value in chemotherapy. We are indebted to a very useful review of New Zealand plant chemistry of Briggs (2) where many observations are made which come within our survey. It may also be mentioned that the research program of the New Zealand branch of the British Empire Cancer Campaign includes an investigation of the local flora for substances of significance in cancer therapy. This work is still in progress.

Fungi New Zealand species of ergot contain ergotamine and ergotaminine (13).

Lichenes The shown kemic in the

common lichen Sticta coronata has promise in the treatment of leumice (Burton and Cain, Nature, press 1959).

Filices Methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen) has been found in Asplenium lamprophyllure but not in other species of this genus

(5). Coniferae The fossil gum of the Kauri pine, Agathis a.ustralis contains as a major constituent agathic acid which has a similar carbon skeleton to Vitamins A, E and

K (2).

Podocarpus dacrydioides and Dacrydium cupressinum both contain podocarpic acid which is estrogenic (1). The propionate of podocarpic acid is effective in promoting the flow of bile (12). Podocarpus spicatus contains genistein, an estrogenic isoflavone (4), and matairesinol found to have antimitotic properties and tmnor necrotising action in mice (17).

Angiospermae AGAVACEAE So many reports have been received about the healing properties of the gmn found at the base of the leaves of Phormium tenax. (New Zealand flax) that it is difficult to believe there is no virtue in it, but McIlroy (16) found nothing significant in the analysis. CORIARIACEAE Coriaria arborea, called tutu by the Maoris and "toot" by the white man, contains tutin, a violent poison, in its leaves and seeds (10). Tutin is similar in its action to picrotoxin. CORYNOCARPACEAE The berries of karaka (Corynocarpus laevigata) contain a poisonous principle karakin shown by Carter (9) to be 1, 4, 6 Tris-( 3-nitropropionyl)-D glucopyranose. At the time it was the only co,npound with a nitro group found in nature. FICOIDACEAE Tetra#onia expansa, New Zealand spinach, has already been referred to. It shows carbonic anhydrase activity (6) and therefore has the opposite effect to the sulphomanide drugs. LAURACEAE fl sitosterol has been found in the bark of Beilschmiedia lawa (W. E. Harvey, unpublished work). LEGUMINOSAE A very extensive survey of the alkaloids of the Leguminosae in New Zealand has been reported by White (20). Hold-

NEW ZEALAND MEDIC IN A L PLANTS

gate (14) has isolated anagyrine and diosmin from Sophora microphylla. MALVACEAE Hoheria populnea has been suggested as a substitute for slippery elm bark. MELIACEAE Dysoxylum spectabile contains fl sitosterol and much tannin both in bark and heartwood which also contains catechin (7, 8). MONIMIACEAE The bark of LaureIia novae-zealandiae contains the alkaloid pukateine which is reported to be similar to morphine in its action but without its side effects (11). MYOPORACEAE Myoporum laetum, the ngaio, contains ngaione, a derivative of furfural, which suggests that it could be fungicidal. Ngaio has been found to be toxic and to cause liver damage in sheep. (Dacre, private communication). MYRTACEAE Leptospermum species contain leptospermone which has anthelmintic properties, and is a synergistic insecticide (2). PIPERACEAE The use of Macropiper excelsum as a painkiller by the natives could be due to the presence in its essential oil of myristicin a substance which is very similar chemically to eugenol the major constituent of oil of cloves, RHAMNACEAE The leaves of Pomaderris elliptica have been a widely advertised herbal tonic for many years and an ointment made from it is currently being sold by local herbalists for skin cancer. RUTACEAE Phebalium nudum bark contains fl sitosterol (3). RUBIACEAE The barks of Coprosma species are rich in anthraquinone pigments which are

9

interesting because they are substituted in the 2-position also found in a number of important mould metabolites discovered by Raistrick (!8). Anthraquinone derivatives are also of possible significance as purgatives. SCROPHULARIACEAE The koromiko (Hebe salicifolia) is the only plant to have received any recognition in medicine overseas and was included in some editions of the Extra Pharmcopoeia. It is still esteemed as a remedy for diarrhea and during World War II quantities of the dried plant were sent to the North African front where it was effectively used by the Maori troops. SOLANACEAE The alkaloids of the native species of Solanum species have been extensively studied by Briggs and his school. Solasodine, sohnargine, and solasonine and more particularly their hydrogenated derivatives have considerable antiaccelerator cardiac activity (15). Solasodine is of great interest because it is the nitrogen analogue of diosgenin and could be the starting point for the synthesis of a series of nitrogen-containing steroids. VERBENACEAE The bark of the puriri Vitex lucens contains vitexin which is also found in Vitex peduncularis reported to be of great value in the treatment of various fevers and for antihaemolytic activity against cobra venom (19). Vitexin has been shown to have no antibiotic activity. The heartwood contains fl sitosterol, while fl-carotene and p-hydroxybenzoic acid are found in the leaves, p-hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives are well known germicides and preservatives.

Literature Cited .4 Jull biblioqraphy is given in the authors' "Medicinal Plants of New Zealand," a Handbook of the Auckland Institute and Museum, now in the press. 1. Brandt, C. W. and Ross, D.J. Podocarple acid as a source of an estrogenic hormone. Nature 161: 892. 1948.

10

E C O N O M I C BOTANY

2. Briggs, L. H. Plant products of New Zealand. Jour. Roy. Soc. N.S.W. 80: 151-177. 1947. 3. Briggs, L. H. and Cambie, R. C The constituents of Phebalium n,Mum HookI The Bark. Tetrahedron 2: 256-270. 1958. 4. Briggs, L. H. and Cebalo, T. P. Chemistry The of the Podocarpaceae Part II. isolation of genistein from Podocarpus spicatus and the constitution of podospicatin. Tetrahedron 6: 145-7. 1959. 5. Briggs, L. H. and Taylor, W. I. The occurrence of methyl salicylate in a fern, Asplenium lamprophylhtm. Trans. Roy. Soc. N. Z. 76: 597. 1947. 6. Brown, T. E. and Eyster, H. C. Carbonic anhydrase in certain species of plants. Ohio Jour. Sci. 55: 257-262. 1955. 7. Cambie, R. C. The extractives of Vitex 1,cens T. Kirk. N. Z. Jour. Sci. 2: 230236. 1959. 8. Cambie, R. C. The extractives of Dysoxylure spectabile Hook. Jour. Chem. Soc. 468. 1959. 9. Carter, C. L. The constitution of karakin. Jour. Sci. Fd. Agric. 2: 54-55. 1951. 10. Easterfield, T. H. and Aston, B. C. Tutu: Part 1. 8 p. 1900. Tntu: Part 2. 4 p. 1901. N. Z. Dept. Agric. Chemical Div. Bull.

Utilization Medicinal Plants of the Arid Zones. This is

one of a series of research papers on arid lands sponsored by U N E S C O . Contained in the paper are botanical and pharmacological surveys of the plants of arid lands in all arid areas of the world. An ecological discussion of the lands, and adaptation to the arid environment open Part I. A listing of the chemical constituents of medicinal importance from various families of plants is provided, followed by a description of the individual species and its geographical distribution. Large numbers of arid zone plants contain alkaloids. Members of the family Solonaceae are the richest alkaloid producers, especially Datura, Hyoscyammus, and Solanum spp. Alka-

11. Fogg, W. S. The pharmacological action of pukateine. Jour. Pharmacol. $4: 167187. 1935. 12. Gunter, M. J. et al. Choleretic potencies of some synthetic compounds. J. Pharmacol. 99: 465-478. 1950. (C.A. 1951, 263). 13. Hassall, C. H. The alkaloidal constituents of New Zealand ergot. N . Z . Jour. Sci. Tech. 25B: 169-174. 1944. 14. Holdgate, R. Constituents of Sophora microphylla. Thesis, University of Auckland. 1958. 15. Krayer, O. and Briggs, L. H. Antiaccelerator cardiac action of solasodine and somc of its derivatives. Brit. Jour. Phar. macol. 5: 118, 517. 1950. 16. Mcllroy, R. J. Phormium gum. Jour. Chem. Soc. 1372-1373. 1951. 17. Murray, J. Contributions of New Zealand workers to the chemistry of plants. Part II. Jour. N. Z. Inst. Chem. 13: 128-135, 1949. 14: 44-52, 1950. 18. Raistrick, H. Biochemistry of the lower fungi. Ann. Rev. Biochem. 9: 571-592. 1940. 19. Sharma, V. N. Chemical examination of Vitex peduncularis. J our. Sci. Ind. Res. (India) 14B: 267-270. 1955. 20. White, E. P. Alkaloids of the Leguminosae . . . N. Z. Jour. Sci. Tech. 38B: 707-725. 1957. (and preceding papers).

Abstract

loids are also abuudant in some members of the Papaveraceae, and the Curcurbitaceae. Various arid zone plants are also rich in essential oils, gums, sapogenins, etc. Part II is introduced by general considerations of pharmacology and a discussion of the influence of aridity on content of active principles. Following these paragraphs, a description of various plants, listed by the type of active principles is given, for example: "Liliaceae yielding cardiotonic heterosides; Liliaceae yielding anthracenic heterosides," etc. An extensive bibliography and a list of arid zone medicinal species are appended.

Title X I I I in a Series published by UNESCO 96 pp. 1960. $3.00.