Date: 2018-07-31

NHPID Name

Scrophularia nodosa (Germplasm Resources Information Network Taxonomy)

Proper Name(s)

Scrophularia nodosa ( USDA 1997 )

Common Name(s)

• Carpenter's square ( Unavailable )
• Common figwort ( USDA 1997 )
• Figwort ( McGuffin et al. 2000 , USDA 1997 )
• Heal-all ( Unavailable )
• Scrofula plant ( Unavailable )
• Square stalk ( Unavailable )
• Throatwort ( Unavailable )

Source Material

Herb top ( Hoffmann 2003 , BHP 1983 )

Route Of Administration

Oral

Dosage Form(s)

• The acceptable pharmaceutical dosage forms include, but are not limited to capsules, chewables (e.g. gummies, tablets), liquids, powders, strips or tablets.
• This monograph is not intended to include foods or food-like dosage forms such as bars, chewing gums or beverages.

Use(s) or Purpose(s)

Statement(s) to the effect of:

• Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine as a diuretic.  (Hoffmann 2003, Felter and Lloyd 1983[1898], Wren 1907)
• Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to relieve symptoms of chronic cutaneous diseases, eczema, psoriasis and pruritus (severe itching of the skin).
• Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine as a diuretic and mild laxative.
• Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine as an analgesic (anodyne).  (Bartram 1998, Felter and Lloyd 1983[1898], Wren 1907)
• Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to relieve symptoms of chronic cutaneous diseases.  (Hoffmann 2003, Wren 1907)
• Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to relieve symptoms of eczema.  (Hoffmann 2003, BHP 1983)
• Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to relieve symptoms of psoriasis.  (Hoffmann 2003, BHP 1983)
• Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to relieve symptoms of pruritus.  (Hoffmann 2003, BHP 1983)
• Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine as a mild laxative.  (Hoffmann 2003, Williamson et al. 1988, Mills 1985)

Dose(s)

Adults:

Dose(s): 1 Day per day

See Appendix 1 for examples of appropriate dosage preparations and frequencies of use, according to cited references. The purpose of Appendix 1 is to provide guidance to industry.

Duration of use

Diuretic: For occasional use only.  (Berardi et al. 2002, CPhA 2002)

Risk Information

Statement(s) to the effect of:

Caution(s) and Warning(s):

• Consult a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/ physician if symptoms persist or worsen.
• Consult a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/physician prior to use, if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have heart disease.

Contraindication(s):
No statement is required

Known Adverse Reaction(s):
No statement is required

Non-medicinal ingredients

Must be chosen from the current Natural Health Products Ingredients Database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.

Specifications

• The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the NHPD Quality of Natural Health Products Guide.
• The medicinal ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the Natural Health Products Ingredient Database (NHPID).

References cited

• Bartram T. Bartram's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: The Definitive Guide to the Herbal Treatments of Diseases. New York (NY): Marlowe & Company; 1998.
• Berardi RR, DeSimone EM, Newton GD, Oszko MA, Popovich NG, Rollins CJ, Shimp LA, Tietze KJ, editors. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs: An Interactive Approach to Self-Care, 13th edition. Washington (DC): American Pharmaceutical Association; 2002.
• BHP 1983: British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Cowling (GB): British Herbal Medical Association; 1983.
• Brinker F. 2001. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions, 3rd edition. Sandy (OR): Eclectic Medical Publications.
• Bruneton J. Pharmacognosie, Phytochimie, Plantes Médicinales, 3rd edition. Paris (FR): Technique & Documentation; 1999.
• CPA 2002: Canadian Pharmacists Association. Patient Self-Care. Helping Patients Make Therapeutic Choices. Ottawa (ON): Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2002.
• Felter HW, Lloyd JU. King's American Dispensatory, Volume 1, 18th edition. Sandy (OR): Eclectic Medical Publications; 1983 [Reprint of 1898 original].
• Grieve M. 1971. A Modern Herbal, Volume 1. New York (NY): Dover Publications [Reprint of 1931 Harcourt, Brace & Company publication].
• Hoffmann D. 2003. Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester (VT): Healing Arts Press.
• McGuffin M, Kartesz JT, Leung AY, Tucker AO, editors. 2000. Herbs of Commerce, 2nd edition. Austin(TX): American Herbal Products Association.
• Mills S. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalsim. Wellingborough (UK): Thorsons Publishers Ltd; 1985.
• Passeportsanté 2011 : Passeportsanté.net Version 2.01 [Internet]. Lexique des plantes médicinales. Montréal (QC): Totalmédia inc. [Consulté le 25 janvier 2011]. Disponible à: http://www.passeportsante.net/fr/Solutions/DocumentsReference/Lexique.aspx
• USDA 1997: United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Scrophularia nodosa L.; Last updated: 26-Mar-1997. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville (MD). [Accessed 2011-01-25]. Available from: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl
• Williamson EM, Evans FJ, Wren RC. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations. Saffron Walden (GB): C.W. Daniel Company Limited; 1988.
• Wren RC. 1907. Potter's Cyclopedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations. London (GB): Potter and Clark.

References reviewed

Appendix 1: Examples of appropriate dosage preparations and frequencies of use

Infusion:

2-8 g dried aerial parts, per day (BHP 1983)

Fluidextract:

• 1-2 g dried equivalent, 3 times per day
  (1:1, 1-2 ml) (Bartram 1995)
• 2-8 g dried equivalent, per day
  (1:1, 25% ethanol, 2-8 ml) (BHP 1983)
• 1.8-3.6 g dried equivalent, per day
  (1:1, 1.8-3.6 ml, (30-60 drops)) (Felter and Lloyd 1983 [1898])

Tincture:

• 0.4-0.8 g dried equivalent, three times per day
  (1:5, 40% ethanol, 2-4 ml) (Hoffmann 2003)
• 0.2-0.4 g dried equivalent, per day
  (1:10, 45% ethanol, 2-4 ml) (BHP 1983)
• 0.3-1.2 g dried equivalent, per day (Felter and Lloyd 1983 [1898])
  (1:2, 76% ethanol, 0.6-2.4 ml, (10-40 drops))