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   Index



 

HYACINTHACEAE

(Hyacinth family)

 

This family, members of which were formerly classified in the Liliaceae, comprises about 770 species of bulbous or rhizomatous herbs in 41 genera. They are found mainly in the Mediterranean region and in South Africa (Mabberley 1997). Many are to be found in cultivation as ornamentals, including representatives from the genera Bellevalia Lapeyr., Bowiea Harvey ex Hook.f., Chiondoxa Boiss., Eucomis L'Hér., Galtonia Decne., Hyacinthus L., Ledebouria Roth, Muscari Mill., Ornithogalum L., and Scilla L.

Several members of this family have skin irritant properties that may be ascribed to their content of calcium oxalate needle crystals (raphides). In some species, the mechanical injury to the skin seems to be aggravated by irritant chemicals in the plant sap. An allergic reaction may be superimposed on the mechanical/chemical injury, but this seems to be the exception rather than the rule. The identity of the irritant or allergenic chemicals has not been established. Florists, nurserymen, gardeners, and others who handle or grow these plants are at risk of developing dermatitis. The traditional dermatological uses of plants in this family include uses that exploit the irritancy, but also uses where irritancy would not explain the intended therapeutic outcome, for example where a lotion for sore eyes is prepared, or where an application for boils and sores is prepared.


Bowiea volubilis Harvey ex Hook.f.
Climbing Green Lily

This plant is a native of south and East Africa. In the traditional medicine of this region, an infusion of the crushed bulb is used to prepare a lotion for sore eyes and for skin diseases (Hulme 1954).

The dried bulb is irritating to damp skin (Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk 1962).



Drimia Jacq. ex Willd.
[syn. Urginea Steinh.]

There are about 120 species of Drimia, natives of the Mediterranean region, Africa and Asia (Mabberley 1997). Plants formerly considered to belong to the genus Urginea Steinh. are now classified as Drimia species.



Drimia altissima Ker Gawl.
[syns Idothea altissima Kuntze, Ornithogalum altissimum L.f., Scilla micrantha A.Rich., Urginea altissima Baker, Urginea micrantha Solms]
Tall White Squill

In the traditional medicine of southern Africa, the fleshy scales of the bulb are heated and applied to gouty limbs and rheumatic swellings. The relief is probably due to the heat but may be due to irritation (Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk 1962).



Drimia ciliaris Jacq. ex Willd.
[syns Hyacinthus ciliaris Poir., Idothea ciliaris Kunth]
Itch-Bulb

The bulb is highly irritant when handled, the irritation being ascribed to the presence of calcium oxalate raphides. The juice is said to blister the skin (Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk 1962).



Drimia elata Jacq. ex Willd.
[syns Drimia zombensis Baker, Idothea elata Jacq.]
Satin Squill

The plant is highly irritant when handled and the juice is said to blister the skin (Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk 1962).



Drimia indica Jessop
[syns Urginea indica Kunth, Scilla indica Roxb.]
Indian Squill

This plant is the source of the crude drug Indian Squill, otherwise known as Urginea, which may be used as a substitute for Squill derived from Drimia maritima Stearn [see below]. According to Nadkarni (1976), powdered Indian squill is locally applied to remove warts. Behl et al. (1966) also refer to the skin irritant properties of Indian Squill.



Drimia maritima Stearn
[syns Urginea maritima Baker, Urginea scilla Steinh., Squilla maritima Steinh., Scilla maritima L., Scilla rubra Garsault, Ornithogalum maritimum Lam.]
Squill, Sea Onion

This is the source of the crude drug Squill, otherwise known as White Squill or Scillae Bulbus, which has been used medicinally from a very early period (Stannard 1974). Squill contains the glycosides scillarin A and B, which resemble the cardiac glycosides found in digitalis (Gemmill 1974). These glycosides are poorly absorbed when administered orally. They have an expectorant effect in small doses and produce emesis in larger doses (Todd 1967).

A red-coloured variety, which is found in North Africa, is known as Red Squill. It has long been used as a rat poison (Todd 1967). Schwartz et al. (1947) documented the belief held by some authorities that the juice of Scilla rubra is a cutaneous irritant to everyone, whilst contact with the leaves irritates only sensitised individuals.

In a study of the use of medicinal plants in the Palestinian West Bank region, Ali-Shtayeh et al. (2000) recorded that Urginea maritima was a popular remedy for treating skin disorders, but provided no detail as to the method of use nor the nature of the skin disorders treated.

Pereira (1842) recorded that fresh Squilla maritima bulb, when applied to the skin, causes irritation, inflammation, even vesication - attributes also noted by Chevalier (1933) and by Schwartz et al. (1947). Powdered squill can cause severe keratoconjunctivitis and iritis (Achermann 1928). Biberstein (1927) observed a positive patch test reaction to this plant (which he identified as Scilla maritima) in a young child who reacted also to an unidentified species of Tradescantia L. (fam. Commelinaceae) and to a plant believed to be Lamium galeobdolon L. (fam. Labiatae). Touton (1932) referred to other reports (Hoffmann 1904a, Hoffmann 1904b, etc.) in the early German literature of dermatitis attributable to the topical use of the leaves or crushed bulbs of Scilla maritima to treat skin conditions, drawing attention to the possible contribution made by calcium oxalate raphides to the skin reaction produced by the plant. He referred also to cases of occupational dermatitis in a factory handling crude drugs.



Hyacinthus L.

The 3 species in this horticulturally important genus are natives of the West and Central Asia. Several species are cultivated, but by far the most popular is Hyacinthus orientalis L., which was first developed by artificial selection in Turkey and subsequently in Holland (Gorer 1970). Hyacinthus orientalis, the so-called common hyacinth, is now one of the most commonly cultivated bulbs for indoor and outdoor decoration, and workers in the bulb industry, gardeners, florists and housewives may all be exposed in some degree to a dermatitis hazard. Hyacinthus romanus L. (Roman hyacinth) is also quite frequently cultivated.

Bulb growers are often aware that some cultivars of H. orientalis are more likely to cause trouble than others: L'Innocence, Marconi, Carnegie and City of Harlem were considered particularly liable to cause dermatitis (van der Werff 1959).

Experiments reported by Morris (1897), corroborated by Scott (1897), had demonstrated that both dry and moist scales from the bulbs of the common hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis and varieties) were capable of producing considerable irritation when applied directly to the skin. This irritation was caused, evidently, by calcium oxalate raphides varying from 1/100 to 1/200th of an inch [= 250–125 µm) in length. Roman hyacinths (variety albulus) were understood to cause greater irritation than other varieties. About 6% of calcium oxalate is present in bulb scales and a similar concentration has been found in the dust on tables used for sorting and packing (Hjorth and Wilkinson 1968).

Hyacinths also probably contain allergenic substances, which have not been identified. Fungi, parasites, fungicides and pesticides must also be considered (van der Werff 1959).

Oil of Hyacinth, which is used in perfumes, has caused allergic dermatitis (Varga 1936). Hyacinthin is phenylacetaldehyde (Furia & Bellanca 1971). Oil of Hyacinth contains some known sensitisers.

Schwartz et al. (1947) described hyacinths, and especially the Dutch hyacinth as a cause of occupational dermatitis in florists and others who handle the bulbs. Harrison (1906) included Hyacinthus orientalis in a list of plant, etc. which may cause dermatitis. McCord (1962) also referred to hyacinths as a cause of occupational dermatitis.

Hyacinth bulb dermatitis is predominantly of irritant type, and is very familiar to nurserymen. However the irritant properties of the bulbs are such that it is often difficult to confirm the suspected coexistence of allergic dermaitis, sometimes suggested by the clinical features.

The commonest clinical picture is dry fissured scaling and erythema of the finger tips, often with hyperkeratosis beneath the nails (Kranenburg 1930, Johnson 1935). Sometimes a more extensive eczematous dermatitis involves hands, arms and face (Freeman 1897).

Dust contaminated with oxalate crystals can pass beneath clothing and cause irritable patchy erythema and oedema, often most marked around the waist and in the anogenital region (van der Werff 1959).

Patch tests with bulb scales should be interpreted with caution. A positive patch test to a fragment of leaf is probably evidence of sensitisation.



Ledebouria revoluta Jessop
[syns Hyacinthus revolutus L., Scilla lanceaefolia Baker, Lachenalia lanceaefolia Jacq.]

Referring to Scilla lanceaefolia, Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk (1962) recorded that in the traditional medicine of southern Africa, the bulb is used as a local irritant. They noted also that an infusion prepared from the plant is used to bathe skin eruptions, and that the burnt and powdered plant is applied in an ointment to wounds and sores.



Merwilla natalensis Speta
[syn. Scilla natalensis Planch.]
Blue Squill, Blue Hyacinth

Referring to Scilla natalensis, Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk (1962) noted that in the traditional medicine of southern Africa, a hot lotion made by boiling the cut-up bulb in water is used as an application to boils and veld sores.



Muscari Mill.

There are about 30 species, natives of the Mediterranean region and west Asia (Mabberley 1997). Many species are popular garden plants, known collectively as grape hyacinths.



Muscari neglectum Guss. ex Ten.
[syns Muscari atlanticum Boiss. & Reuter, Muscari racemosum auct.]
Grape Hyacinth

Muscari racemosum is reported to be irritant (Pammel 1911).



Ornithogalum L.

About 200 species are distributed over Europe, Asia and Africa (Mabberley 1997). Many are decorative and are frequently grown as ornamentals, including Ornithogalum angustifolium Bor (syn. Ornithogalum umbellatum L.; star of Bethlehem), Ornithogalum pyrenaicum L. (Bath asparagus), and Ornithogalum thyrsoides Jacq.



Ornithogalum caudatum Aiton
[syns Loncomelos caudatus Dostál]

Calcium oxalate raphides present in this species (Tilton & Horner 1980) may cause intense irritation when the bulbs or leaves are handled (Pohl 1965).



Ornithogalum thyrsoides Jacq.
Chincherinchee

According to Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk (1962), handling of the above-ground parts of the plant produces inflammation of the skin and wheals, possibly only in persons who have become sensitive.



Scilla L.

There are 40 species, natives of Europe, Asia and temperate regions of Africa (Mabberley 1997). Many are grown as ornamentals, including Scilla autumnalis L. (autumn squill), Scilla bifolia L., Scilla mischtschenkoana Grossh., Scilla peruviana L. (Cuban lily), and Scilla siberica Haw.



Scilla bifolia L.
[syn. Scilla alpina Schur]
Alpine Squill, Common Scilla

According to Pammel (1911), this species is irritant.


References

  • Achermann E (1928) Kerato-iritis durch Scilla-staub (Scilla-Reintaisnoid). Klinische Monatsblätter für Augenheilkunde 81: 196
  • Ali-Shtayeh MS, Yaniv Z, Mahajna J (2000) Ethnobotanical survey in the Palestinian area: a classification of the healing potential of medicinal plants. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 73(1-2): 221-232 [doi] [url] [pmid]
  • Behl PN, Captain RM, Bedi BMS, Gupta S (1966) Skin-Irritant and Sensitizing Plants Found in India. New Delhi: PN Behl [WorldCat]
  • Biberstein H (1927) Überempfindlichkeit gegen Pflanzen (Sedum, Tradeskantia, Campanula, Meerzwiebel, Myrthe, Alpenveilchen, Buntnessel). [Hypersensitivity to plants (sedum, tradescantia, campanula, squill, myrtle, cyclamen, coleus)]. Zentralblatt für Haut- und Geschlechtskrankheiten 22(1/2): 19
  • Chevalier A (1933) Scilles à bulbes comestibles ou vénéneux. Revue de Botanique Appliqué 13: 469
  • Freeman, W.T. (1897) A note on the skin irritation caused by handling hyacinth bulbs. Br. J. Derm. 9: 66.
  • Furia TE and Bellanca N (Eds) (1971) Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. Cleveland, Ohio: Chemical Rubber Co.
  • Gemmill CC (1974) The pharmacology of squill. Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine 50(6): 747-750
  • Gorer R (1970) The Development of Garden Flowers. London: Eyre & Spottiswoode [WorldCat] [doi] [url] [url-2]
  • Harrison, A.J. (1906) Dermatitis from without and dermatitis from within. Bristol Med. Clin. J. 24: 325.
  • Hjorth, N. and Wilkinson, D.S. (1968) Contact dermatitis IV. Tulip fingers, hyacinth itch and lily rash. Br. J. Derm. 80: 696.
  • Hoffmann E (1904a) Ueber die Primelkrankheit und andere durch Pflanzen verursachte Hautentzündungen. [On primula-induced dermatitis and other plant-induced skin irritations]. Münchener Medizinische Wochenschrift 51(44): 1966-1968 [doi] [url] [url-2]
  • Hoffmann E (1904b) Ueber durch Pflanzen bedingte artificielle Dermatitiden. (Mit Demonstration mikroskopischer Präparate der Scilla-dermatitis). [About artificially-induced dermatitis caused by plants. (With demonstration of microscopic preparations of scilla dermatitis)]. Berliner Klinische Wochenschrift 41(36): 960-961 [url] [url-2]
  • Hulme MM (1954) Wild Flowers of Natal. Pietermaritzburg: Shuter & Shooter [doi] [WorldCat] [url] [url-2]
  • Johnson, D.W. (1935) Dermatitis due to hyacinth bulbs. Archs Derm. 32: 289.
  • Kranenburg, W.R.H. (1930) Juckreiz und Dermatitis nach Verarbeitig von Hyacinthen und Tulpen. Z. Gewerbehyg. 17: 73.
  • Mabberley DJ (1997) The Plant-Book. A portable dictionary of the vascular plants. 2nd edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  • McCord CP (1962) The occupational toxicity of cultivated flowers. Industrial Medicine and Surgery 31(8): 365-368
  • Morris D (1897) Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London (Oct): 1
  • Nadkarni AK (1976) Dr. K. M. Nadkarni's Indian Materia Medica. With ayurvedic, unani-tibbi, siddha, allopathic, homeopathic, naturopathic & home remedies, appendices & indexes, Revised enlarged and reprinted 3rd edn, Vols 1 & 2. Bombay: Popular Prakashan [WorldCat] [url]
  • Pammel LH (1911) A Manual of Poisonous Plants. Chiefly of North America, with Brief Notes on Economic and Medicinal Plants, and Numerous Illustrations. Cedar Rapids, IA: Torch Press [WorldCat] [url] [url-2]
  • Pereira J (1842) Elements of Materia Medica and Therapeutics, 2nd edn, Vols 1 & 2. London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans [WorldCat] [url] [url-2]
  • Pohl RW (1965) Contact dermatitis from the juice of Ornithogalum caudatum. Toxicon 3(2): 167-168
  • Schwartz L, Tulipan L, Peck SM (1947) Occupational Diseases of the Skin. 2nd edn. London: Henry Kimpton
  • Scott DH (1897) Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London (Oct): 1-2
  • Stannard J (1974) Squill in ancient and medieval Materia Medica, with special reference to its employment for dropsy. Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine 50(6): 684-713
  • Tilton VR, Horner HT (1980) Calcium oxalate raphide crystals and crystalliferous idioblasts in the carpels of Ornithogalum caudatum. Annals of Botany 46(5): 533-539 [doi] [url] [url-2]
  • Todd RG (Ed.) (1967) Martindale. The Extra Pharmacopoeia. 25th edn. London: Pharmaceutical Press [WorldCat]
  • Touton K (1932) Hauterkrankungen durch phanerogamische Pflanzen und ihre Produkte (Toxicodermia et Allergodermia phytogenes) [Skin Diseases Caused by Phanerogamic Plants and their Products (Toxicodermia et Allergodermia phytogenes)]. In: Jadassohn J (Ed.) Handbuch der Haut- und Geschlechtskrankheiten. Band IV, Teil I. Angeborene Anomalien. Lichtdermatosen. Pflanzengifte. Thermische Schädigungen. Einfluss Innerer Störungen auf die Haut [Handbook of Skin and Venereal Diseases. Volume IV, Part I. Congenital abnormalities. Photodermatoses. Plant toxins. Thermal injuries. Influence of internal disorders on the skin], pp. 487-697. Berlin: Julius Springer [doi] [WorldCat] [url] [url-2]
  • van der Werff PJ (1959) Occupational diseases among workers in the bulb industries. Acta Allergologica 14(5): 338-355
  • Varga, A.V. (1936) Acute generalized eczema caused by hyacinth oil. Derm. Wschr. 1: 104.
  • Watt JM, Breyer-Brandwijk MG (1962) The Medicinal and Poisonous Plants of Southern and Eastern Africa. Being an account of their medicinal and other uses, chemical composition, pharmacological effects and toxicology in man and animal, 2nd edn. Edinburgh: E & S Livingstone [doi] [WorldCat] [url] [url-2]



Richard J. Schmidt

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