Pimpinellae radix

The beavernell root, Radix Pimpinellae, is a herbal product whose preparations are used medicinally for catharrhal complaints of the airways. Radix Pimpinellae is also used as a spice.

HMPC: not processed

ESCOP: not processed

Commission E: Catarrhal complaints, as an expectorant

Radix Pimpinellae contains furanocoumarins such as pimpinellin, sphondin, isobergapten and isopimpinellin. Other ingredients are simple coumarins, about 0.5% essential oils, vultures, pregeijeren, beta-bisabols.

The ingredients of Radix Pimpinellae have an expectorant effect.

Beavernell root is used according to the guidelines of Commission E for catharrhal complaints of the upper respiratory tract. It is also popularly used as an expectorant and gargle for angina tonsillaris.

When used as an infusion, the usual daily dose is 6 to 12 g

1. Tabanca N et al (2007) fect of essential oils and isolated compounds from Pimpinella species on NF-kappaB: a target for antiinflammatory therapy. Phytother Res 21:741-745.
2. Tabanca N et al (2004) Estrogenic activity of isolated compounds and essential oils of Pimpinella species from Turkey, evaluated using a recombinant yeast screen. Planta Med 70:728-735.