DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Alkaloids are mostly alkaline-reacting, low-molecular and nitrogen-containing natural substances. Alkaloids are formed as an end product of plant metabolism and are found in many food and stimulant plants, e.g. in poppies, nightshade family, buttercups, sour thorn family, fumitory family, dog poison family, umbellifers and butterfly plants.
EffectsThis section has been translated automatically.
Alkaloids have sedative, cough-killing and respiratory depressive effects. Codeine and noscapine inhibit the cough centre.
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Field of application/useThis section has been translated automatically.
Alkaloids are used for bronchitis and dry irritable cough.
Undesirable effectsThis section has been translated automatically.
If ingested, it can lead to indigestion, constipation and possibly sedation. There is also a slight risk of addiction.
ContraindicationThis section has been translated automatically.
It should not be used during pregnancy, while breast-feeding or in case of existing bronchial asthma. Noscapine should not be used during pregnancy and lactation.
InteractionsThis section has been translated automatically.
There are no known interactions with other drugs.
LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.
- Schilcher H (2016) In: Leitfaden Phytotherapie, Urban & Fischer Verlag Munich.
- https://www.spektrum.de/lexikon/biologie/alkaloide/2102
TablesThis section has been translated automatically.
| Medicinal drugs | Indications |
| Marrubii herba | Cough, bronchitis |
| Pimpinellae radix (Bibernella root) | Cough, bronchitis |
| Nasturtii herba (watercress herb) | Cough, bronchitis |
| Sambuci flos (elderflower) | Infection |
| Tropaeoli maji herba (nasturtium) | Cough, bronchitis |
| Tiliae flos (lime blossoms) | Cough, bronchitis, infection |
| Spiraeae flos/herba (Meadowsweet flowers/weeds) | Infection |
| Apis mellifera(Propolis) | Infection, tonsillitis, laryngitis |
| Rhaphani sativi radix (radish root, black) | Cough, bronchitis |
| Petasitidis folium (butterbur leaves) | Allergic rhinitis |
| Sinapis albae semen (mustard seed, white) | Infection |
| Balsamum tolutanum (Tolu balsam) | Cough, bronchitis |
| Pelargonii reniformis radix (Umckaloabo root, African) | cough, bronchitis, infection, tonsillitis, sinusitis, rhinopharyngitis |
| Polygoni avicularis herba (bird's knotweed) | Cough, bronchitis |
Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer
Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles