Lomatium, article

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LOMATIUM DISSECTUM

An Herbal Virucide?

The following article is based upon a literature search and paper by K.

Alstat, N.D., R.Ph., and an interview with Dr. Alstat. See also, “The History

and Efficacy of Therapeutic Herbs. CM., March-April, 1987, which features Dr.

Alstat.

Recent clinical observations, laboratory analysis and a study of Lomatium

dissectum’s historic applications, have led K. Alstat, N.D., R.Ph., to

conclude that dissectum may be an effective herbal means of managing viral

diseases. Lomatium dissectum, previously known by such names as Ferula

dissoluta, Leptotaenia dissecta, Leptotaenia multifida and Toza (by American

Indians), was a panacea of the native Americans of the plateau region of the

western United States. The Native Americans uses for dissectum ranged from food

to medicine to pesticide.

Dr. Alstat, who is a pharmacist and a naturopathic physician, became interested

in dissectum after he experi­mented successfully on himself, using a tincture

he had prepared from a single large root.

He prepared several gallons of the tincture from the 20-pound root, Dr. Alstat

explained, and he used the tincture when he was awakened one night by a

persistent sore throat. “I took a dropperful, and before I could get back to

bed my throat had drained and the soreness was gone.â€

Dr. Alstat subsequently added Lomatium dissectum to the list of tinctures

available from the Eclectic Institute, a Portland, OR, botanical research and

marketing company which he founded. Anecdotal evidence from an increasing number

of physicians who have purchased the tincture for use in their practices has

been positive.

A LOMATIUM-CAUSED RASH

Some clinicians have reported cases of full-body rashes in patients using

dissectum tincture. Although the rash, which mimics measles, appears to be

self-limiting, it was severe enough in several cases to negate the positive

value of the herb. “It seemed that when people who were really sick took the

tincture for three or four days they would feel tremendously better. They said

they never felt better in their lives; they got a large bout of energy. But then

some of them would get the rash afterward.â€

Dr. Alstat believes the rash is a healing reaction, “some type of a

cleansing,†rather than a side effect of the dissectum. However, the reaction

is sufficiently unpleas­ant that Eclectic Institute has produced other forms of

the remedy. Lomatium contains a significant amount of resin, Dr. Alstat

explained, which seems to be what causes the rash. He isolated the active

constituents, separated them from the resin and developed “a yellow,

sulphur-looking powder,†which remained effective and did not cause a rash.

This product is called Lomatium Isolate and is the form of choice.

DESCRIPTION AND DISTRIBUTION

Lomatium dissectum is found from Vancouver Island, southern British Columbia and

Alberta, south to Southern California, Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado, ranging

from sea level to the Cascade foothills and up to an altitude of about 2500

meters in the Rocky Mountains. More than half of the 75 to 80 species of

Lomatium, the largest genus of Umbelliferae in the United States, are found in

the high plateaus of Eastern Oregon, Eastern Washington and Idaho. The greatest

diversity and largest tubers of Loma­tium grow in the dry Columbia Plateau

region.

Dissectum is a spring -flowering perennial which grows on lithosol and talus

zones, the rocky basalt slopes and out­croppings formed by previous lava flows.

A robust plant with a large, woody taproot, it grows from 20 to 60 inches high.

Several hollow, ribbed stems rise from the top of the root and culminate in

finely divided leaves and large umbels of flowers ranging in color from yellow

to brownish purple. The flattened oval seeds have narrow wings.

NATIVE AMERICANS’ USE OF LOMATIUM

Lomatium dissectum was historically one of the most important medicinal plants

of the western United States. Native Americans used the herb as an internal

remedy for viral and bacterial infections, especially those of the eyes,

respiratory tract and urinary tract.

Several tribes of Indians ate the shoots and roots of dissectum. Some also

immersed the fresh root in streams to stun fish for harvesting. However, the

most important native American use of the herb was as a medicine. Indeed,

dissectum was one of the most widely used medicinal remedies of the Indians of

the western United States. A decoction of the root was taken internally, and the

above ground portion of the plant was smoked or burned and inhaled to treat

coughs, colds, hayfever, bronchitis, asthma, influenza, pneumonia and

tuberculosis. The decoction was also applied externally for cuts, sores and

rashes; the oily sap was placed on skin lesions and used in the eyes for

trachomal and gonorrheal infections. The raw root was chewed for sore throat and

used as a poultice for swellings, sprains and rheumatism. Dissectum was also

used to cure equine distemper and as a pediculicide for humans and animals.

THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

During the world wide influenza epidemic of 1917, the effectiveness of Lomatium

dissectum came to the attention of the American white man, Dr. Alstat explained,

when it was observed that native Americans in the Southwest were recovering

rapidly from the virus that was killing others.

“A doctor named Ernest Krebbs, who was working in the desert in Nevada, found

that the Indians there were peeling dissectum root, drawing and boiling it and

skimming off the oil. Using about a pound of herb, the Indians were getting well

within a week’s time.†Krebbs and other doctors began using the root and

found it had significant healing effects. It gained in popularity, and soon four

manufacturing plants were producing the extract. Since it was a Western frontier

remedy, however, dissectum never attracted the attention of the medical

profession in general, and shortly after the influenza epidemic died off,

interest in dissectum died as well.

ANTIBIOTIC STUDIES WITH LOMATIUM DISSECTUM

Several trials throughout the years have attested to the efficacy of Lomatium

dissectum as a remedy. In 1957, Lomatium dissectum (var. multifida) was found to

have moderate bactericidal effects.t24’ A 1 949 in vitro test revealed that an

oil extract of dissectum (var. multifida) partially or completely inhibited

growth of 10 organisms, a result which was equal to that of penicillin given at

a comparable concentration. (16) Susceptible organisms included Corynebacterium

diptherium. Diplococcus pneumo­nia, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli,

Pseudo­monas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

A study of the effectiveness of extracts of the root of Lomatium dissectum (var.

dissectum) in 1948 showed varying degrees of inhibition of the growth of all 62

strains and species of bacteria and fungi tested.’5~ The oil extracts

exhibited bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity against three strains of

Shigella, two of Pseudomonas, two of Proteus, four E. coli, three of

Staphaureus, four strains of streptococcus, including viridans and pyogenes,

Diplococ­cus pneumonia, Corynebacterium diptheria, Hemphilus influenza,

Neisseria gonorrhea, three strain of Mycobacte­rium, including tuberculosis,

five strains of Clostridium, four human dermatophytes and Candida albicans.

CONSTITUENTS AND PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTIONS

Identification of the specific medicinal constituents of Lomatium dissectum has

not been directly undertaken. Information is available, however, on the

isolation and identification of some of the chemical constituents of the herb,

as well as their biological effects. The root contains essential oil, gums,

resins, glycosides (coumarins and saponins), carbohydrates, protein, fatty acids

and ascorbic acid.

Naturally occurring coumarins have a broad range of physiological activities.

Some have estrogenic action; others have demonstrated spasmolytic, sedative,

anthelmintic and/or uricosuric actions.t4’20’ They have been found to

activate adrenaline and ACTH-induced lipolysis and insulin-induced

lipogenesis.’7’ Coumarins have been used as vasodilating agentst2’20t in

the treatment of malig­nant metastasis~2’10’ and in therapy for retinal

pigment degeneration.~7’ As a group, coumarins are free of toxic side effects

and may be used for years without cumulative effects (201

The furanocoumarins and pyranocoumarins in Lomatium dissectum have significant

antimicrobial activity. A number of studies of the antiviral activities of both

linear and angular furanocoumarins have shown them to be effective against both

DNA and RNA viruses. In these investigation, both types of viruses were

inactivated by exposure to long-wave ultraviolet light in the presence of

furanocoumarins. Both linear and angular furanocoumarins easily permeate the

virus coat as well as bacteria, yeast and animal cells, and bio-activity has

been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. Herpes simplex virus I was shown to be

very sensitive to linear furanocoumarin photo-inactiva­tiOfl.1101

Herbs containing saponins have been used historically as medicinal remedies,

specifically as tonics, tranquilizers, expectorants and antitussive agents.

Recent research reports anti-tumor, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory

properties of saponins, as well as their ability to stimulate production of

serum proteins. Water soluble triterpenoidal saponins reportedly enhance

antibody production’181, sug­gesting they actively stimulate the immune

system. Al­though isolation of the saponins in dissectum has not been

documented in the literature, according to Dr. Alstat, it warrants

investigation.

The ascorbic content of Lomatium dissectum was determined in one study to be

22.8 percent.’24’ The immune-stimulating activity of ascorbic acid is well

documented, and its promotion of wound-healing is well known.

Lomatium contains volatile oils, which have been used as antiseptics.’15’

The root contains much carbohydrate, suggesting the presence of

immune-stimulating polysaccharides.

“Additional chemical, biological and clinical study of Lomatium dissectum is

indicated,†Dr. Alstat concluded, “especially of the use of the plant to

inhibit bacteria, fungi and viruses, to stimulate immune system function and to

decrease inflammation. Specific areas for clinical trials include the diseases

treated by native Americans, such as influenza, colds, bronchitis, pneumonia,

tuberculosis, hay fever, asthma, ocular infections, throat infections, skin

lesions and rheumatic conditions, as well as the chronic viral infections and

immune system suppression prevalent today (e.g., AIDS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,

Viral Hepatitis Herpes simplex I and II and system Candida albicans).â€

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. , R., “Acorbate Mediated Stimulation of Neurophil Motility and

Lymphocyte Transformation by Inhibition of Peroxidase/H2O2lHaIida System In

Vitro and In Vivoâ€, American Journal of Med/ca/Science, 34:1906-1911, 1981.

2. Blake, T.M., E.G. Wood, D.O.’ and R.G. Ned, “Vasodilating Effects

of Coumerin Derivatives,†American Journal of Medical Science, 243:598-602,

1962.

3. Bordin, F.. S. Marciani, F.R. Beccichetti, F. Dall’Acqua, G. Rodighiero,

“Studies on the Photosensitizing Properties of Anglicin, an Angular

Furanocoumarin Forming Only Monofunctional Adducts with the Pyrimidine Bases of

DNA.†Italian Journal of Biochemist,y, 24:258-26â€, 1975.

4. Bose, P.K., “On Some Biochemical Properties of Natural Coumarina,â€

Journal of Indian Chemical Soc/ct y, 35:367-375, 1958.

5. Carlson, H.J. and H.G. , “Antibiotic Agents Separated from the

Root of Lace-Leaved Leptotaania,†Journal of Bacteriology, 55:615-621. 1948.

6. Chakraborty, D.P., A.D. Gupta and P.K. Bose, “On the Anti-Fungal Actions

of Some Natural Coumarina,†/s of Biochemist,’, and Experimental

Medicine, 17:59-62, 1957.

7. , R.L., “Chemical Investigations into the Ichthyotoxic Effect of

Lomatium Dissectum,†Thesis, College, Portland, OR 1 983.

8. French, D.H., “Ethnobotany of the Umberlliferae,†The Biology and

Chemistry of the Umballiferae, V.H. Heywood, Ed., Academic Press, New York, NY,

1971, pp. 385- 112.

9. Gilkey, H.M. and U. Dennis, Handbook of Northwestern Plants, Oregon State

University Bookstores, Inc., Corvallis, OR. 1980, pp. 288-291.

10. Hanson, C.V., J.L. Riggs and E.H. Lennette, “Photo-chemical Inactivation

of DNA and RNA Viruses by Psoralen Derivatives, “ Journal of General Virology,

40:345-358, 1978.

11. Hilgard, P. and R.D. Thornes, “Anticoegulars in the Treatment of

Cancer,†European Journal of Cancer 12:755-762, 1976.

12. Hitchcock, C.L. and A. Cronquist, Vascular Plants of the Pacific

Northwest, University of Washington Press, Seattle, WA., 1961.

13. Hunn, E.S. and D.H. French, “Lomatium: A Key Resource for Columbia

Plateau Native Subsistenceâ€, Northwest Science 55:87-94, 1 981,

14. Karaghanasis, S.K. and W.S. Champney, “Effects of

Hydroxymethyl-Trimethyl Psoralen on Structure and Function of Bacteriophage MS2

RNAâ€, Biochemistry 20:3579-3585, 1981.

15. Kuts-Cheraux., A,W., Naturse Medicina and Naturopathic Dispensatory,

Antioch Press, Yellow Springs, Ohio, 1953, p. 1 3.

16. Matson, G.A., A. Ravve, J.M. Sugihara, W.J. Burke, “Antibiotic Studies

on an Extract from Leptotaenia Multifeda†Journal of Clinical Investigation

28:903-908, 1949.

17. Merz, MO. and A. Piotrowski, “Dicoumarin Compounds in the Treatment of

Pigment Degneration of the Retina†Opthalmologica. 145:249-256, 1963,

18. Mita, A., R. Shida, N. Kasai and J. Shoji, “Enhancement and Suppression

in Production of 1gM Antibody in Mice Treated with Purified Saponinsâ€,

Biomedicine

31;223.227, 1979.

19. Scully, V., A Treasury of American Indian Herbs: Their Lore and Their Use

for Food, Drugs and Medicine. Crown Publishers, Inc., New York, NY. 1971, pp.

116.

118.

20. Some, T.A., “Naturally Occurring Coumarins and Related Physiological

Activityâ€, Journal of Pharmaceutical Science 53:231.264, 1964.

21. Swenstrom, R., L.M. Hallick, J. , J.E. Hearst and J.M. Bishop.

“Interaction of Psoralen Derivatives with the RNA Genome of Rous Sarcoma

Virus,†Virology

113:613-622, 1982.

22. Talib, S. & AK. Banerjee, “Covalent Attachment of Psoralen to a Single

Site on Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Genome RNA Blocks Expression of Viral

Genes,†Virology 118:430-438, 1982,

23. , R.J. and R.W. Valum, Sagebrush Count,y, Touchstone Press,

Beaverton, OR, 1974, p.12.

24. Train, P., JR. Henrichs and W.A, Archer, Medicinal Uses of Plants by Indian

Tribes of Nevada, Quarterman Publication, Inc. Lawrence. MAss., 1957, pp. 65.87,

115.

25. Wakeman, N.. “A Chemical Examination of the Root of Leptoteenia

Dissectsâ€, Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association, 1 4:29â€32,

1925.

Complimentary Medicine May/June 1987 Reprinted with permission

www.aminoacidbotanicalandsupplementsource.net/Lomatium_Info.htm

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much for posting this!!! I have been thinking of using this for

some of the viral infections I have. When I searched on planet thrive for HHV-6

and/or mycoplasma (I forget which), only one thing really came up. A question

from someone about it and lomatium was one of the herbs Buhner recommended for

lung infections of the viral sort. Anyway, thank you!

Tiff