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CRASSULACEAE(Stonecrop family)
Members of this moderately sized family of 35 genera and 1500 species are of cosmopolitan distribution, but are mostly found in southern Africa. Most species are perennials living in dry, especially rocky, places and are xerophytic. A number of species are found in cultivation, often as rock-garden plants, but also as house, greenhouse, and border plants. Typically, they have fleshy leaves and stems. The principal genera found in cultivation are Cotyledon L., Crassula L., Kalanchoe Adans., Sedum L., and Sempervivum L. The fleshy rootstock of rose root (Rhodiola rosea L., syn. Sedum rosea Scop.) emits a fragrance of attar-of-rose (Rosa damascena Mill., fam. Rosaceae) when bruised. Irritant and possibly sensitising properties have been ascribed to a few species, but little or nothing is known about the nature of the irritants. The cobalt and nickel accumulating properties of certain Crassula L. species may be of local dermatological significance. This species have been found to accumulate cobalt when growing in soils rich in this element (Malaisse et al. 1979). An average content of about 1400 ppm was recorded from dried plant material. The sensitising properties of cobalt and its salts are well documented (Malten et al. 1976, Cronin 1980). Lynne-Davies & Mitchell (1974) applied portions of the fresh leaf to the backs of 2 males for 48 hours under occlusion. Neither irritant reactions nor delayed flares occurred. This species have been found to accumulate cobalt when growing in soils rich in this element (Malaisse et al. 1979). An average content of about 1400 ppm was recorded from dried plant material. The sensitising properties of cobalt and its salts are well documented (Malten et al. 1976, Cronin 1980). Wild (1975) found 3500 ppm nickel in the dried roots of this species growing on serpentine soil in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), showing it to be a hyperaccumulator of this element. The sensitising properties of nickel are well documented (Malten et al. 1976, Cronin 1980). In Chinese traditional medicine, the juice of the leaves of this plant (which is known as Ching Tien) is a common domestic remedy in eruptions as well as an application to burns (Stuart 1911). Some 200 species are to be found from tropical to southern Africa, to China and Java; one species is found in tropical South America. Kuligowski et al (1992) observed a weak positive patch test reaction to the leaf of an unidentified Kalanchoe species in a patient who presented with contact allergy to a hortensia (see Hydrangea macrophylla Ser., fam. Hydrangeaceae). This species produced a positive patch test in one patient (Agrup et al. 1970).
In Indian traditional medicine, the leaves, either freshly bruised or roasted over a fire, are applied as a poultice to bruises and contusions. They are also applied as a styptic to fresh cuts and abrasions; and over insect bites (Nadkarni 1976). Nadkarni (1976) noted also that the leaves of Kalanchoe spathulata are applied to wounds.
[Information available but not yet included in database]
In a text on Indian materia medica, Nadkarni (1976) noted that the leaves of Kalanchoe pinnata are used in the same way as those of Kalanchoe laciniata DC. (see above). He noted also that the leaves of Bryophyllum calycinum are applied to wounds, boils, and the bites of insects. Bershtein (1972) reported on the use of the juice of Kalanchoe pinnata for the treatment of leg ulcers.
According to Stuart (1911) referring to Umbilicus fimbriatus in a text on Chinese materia medica, the sun-dried plant (which is known as Tso Yeh Ho Tsao) is used in an ointment for falling out of the eye-brows. Some 600 species of these fleshy leaved xerophytes have been described from northern temperate regions. One species also occurs in Peru. Nicotine and other piperidine alkaloids were reported by Gill et al. (1979) to occur in various Sedum species. These alkaloids resemble those found in pepper (Piper nigrum L., fam. Piperaceae). See also Nicotiana tabacum L., fam. Solanaceae. In Western traditional medicine, the fresh herb and the expressed juice have been applied locally to old ulcers, warts, and other excrescences. When applied to the skin, the plant produces inflammation and vesication (Bulliard 1780, White 1887, Remington et al. 1918, Flück 1976, Stuart 1979). The dried whole plant, known as Jing Tin San Qi, is used in Chinese traditional medicine as a haemostat (Huang 1993). In Chinese traditional medicine, the plant (which is known as Fo Chia Tsao) is used as a local application in the treatment of burns and scalds (Stuart 1911). [Information available but not yet included in database] Biberstein (1927) observed a delayed (48h) positive patch test reaction to this species in a 22 year old female who presented with recurrent dermatitis of the face and hands.
According to Remington et al. (1918), Sedum telephium was formerly used externally to cicatrize wounds. Flück (1976) also refers to this use, adding that the fresh or withered plants are slightly rubefacient. The Kuper Island Indians of the north-western coast of North America have used the sap from the leaves and stem as a styptic (Turner & Bell 1971). The plant has irritant properties (Pammel 1911); the leaves have been said to cause dermatitis (McCord 1962). This species is planted on cottage roofs to keep slates in position. The plant may hybridise with Sempervivum montanum L. (above). According to Wren (1975), the bruised fresh leaves have been applied as a poultice in inflammatory conditions of the skin such as burns and stings. Wren (1975) also notes that the juice is said to cure warts and corns. References
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