BRASSICACEAE

[Formerly known as Cruciferae]

The Brassicaceae consist of about 390 genera of annual or perennial plants, rarely small shrubs distributed throughout the world but mainly growing in temperate Northern Hemisphere climates. Some are grown for seed oil e.g. rape, others are used as condiments and some are important vegetables—broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbages, collards, cress, kale, radish, swedes, turnips, watercress; others are favourite garden flowers—alyssum, honesty, stocks, wallflowers.

Medicinal plants in the Brassicaceae include; Armoracia rusticana (horseradish), Brassica alba (white mustard), B. nigra (black mustard), Capsella bursa-pastoris (shepherd's purse).

Members of the family contain mustard oil glycosides, (glucosinolates) which contain sulphur and are responsible for the hot, pungent taste and provide protection from bacteria, insects and fungi.

Armoracia rusticana

Horseradish

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Family Brassicaceae

Description

A robust, glabrous perennial, 40–125 cm tall in flower, which dies back to tiny leaves in winter. Roots, long white and fleshy. Basal leaves, 30–50 cm, oval, toothed, long-stalked, dock-like; lower stem leaves often dissected in linear segments. Flowers numerous, white, 8–9 mm across, sweetly scented, borne in panicles on much branched stems. Seeds in 2 rows, almost spherical but which do not mature into viable seeds. Flowers in late spring to early summer.

Odour—pungent and irritant; taste—strong, acrid and slightly sweet.

Habitat and cultivation

Native to Asia and Europe, horseradish is grown as a condiment and is naturalized in many countries. Grown from root division, it prefers deep, rich, moist, well drained soil. It is dormant in winter. Once established it is difficult to eradicate. Drought and frost resistant.

Parts used

Root best used fresh, harvested when the plant is dormant in late autumn.

Active constituents

1) Glucosinolates (previously named thioglucosides) including sinigrin (about 83%), glucobrassicin (about 1%) and gluconasturtiin (about 11%).1 These constituents are rapidly hydrolysed by the enzyme, myrosinase, released when the root is crushed, mainly to isothiocynates.2 Sinigrin is metabolised to the essential oil allyl isothiocyanate3 and gluconasturtiin to phenylethyl isothiocyanate. The isothiocyanates give the root its characteristic odour

Also contains asparagine, resin and small amounts of vanillic and gentisic acids.4 A constituent related to co-enzyme Q and vitamin E, plastoquinone-9, has recently been isolated along with derivatives of β-sitosterol, diacylglycerides and fatty acids.5

Nutritional constituents

Vitamins: A, B complex, C (significant amounts) and P

Minerals: Calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, boron, sulphur and sodium

Actions

1) Circulatory stimulant

2) Diaphoretic

3) Rubefacient

4) Diuretic

5) Antimicrobial

6) Vulnerary

Scientifc information

Although Armoracia has a long history of medicinal use there has been very little scientific investigation into the herb itself. It is less popular in modern herbal practice than it once was and it is now used mainly as a condiment.

The glucosinolates are considered to be relatively inert however the isothiocyanates derived from them are well absorbed and biochemically active. Consumption of Brassicas has shown corresponding rises in the level of serum isothiocyanates and it is these that are believed to offer cancer protection.6,7

Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory

Armoracia has been used both internally and externally for the treatment of musculo-skeletal and nerve inflammation.

In vitro—The main constituents have antioxidant activity8–10 and they, as well as the whole extract, inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes.5

Anticancer

In vitro—The herb as well as a number of individual constituents are antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic, partly at least, through enzyme modulation of carcinogens.2,10 The main constituents protect DNA from oxidative damage,9,11 and based on non-human cell models may decrease the level of spontaneous and irradiation-induced chromosome damage.12

Constituents also have a direct effect in inhibiting the growth of some cancer cell lines including colorectal,5 myeloid leukaemia,13 lung,5 breast11 and ovary.11 In addition, they or their metabolites, may suppress the promotion of cancer cell development and also block oestrogen receptor sites in oestrogen-dependent cancer cells.1

In vivo—Epidemiological evidence suggests that the consumption of Brassicas, which are rich in glucosinolates, are preventative for colorectal cancer.14

Other

In vitro—Some of the isothiocynanate constituents have antimicrobial activity.15

Medicinal uses

Medicinal use of this herb relies primarily on historical and empirical use. Armoracia, like Capsicum annuum, was valued as a circulatory and digestive stimulant.

Cardiovascular system

Respiratory tract

Gastro-intestinal tract

Urinary tract

Culpeper regarded this herb as a strong diuretic.

Nervous system

Musculo-skeletal system

Endocrine system

Like all glucosinolate containing foods Armofacia is goitrogenic, a property that may be used to treat

Externally

Extensively used for a number of internal and external problems by external application.

Pharmacy

Three times daily  
Infusion of fresh root –   2–4 g
Fluid extract (50% ethanol) –   3–5 ml
Syrup –   5 ml

Syrup made by infusing 4 g fresh root in 30 ml water and adding double weight of sugar.

Externally can be applied as poultice, acetract or syrup. The glucosinolates behave like those found in mustard seed causing counter-irritation, bringing blood to the area of application and increasing the sense of heat. If left on the skin for too long the herb will eventually cause blistering.

CONTRAINDICATIONS—Hypothyroidism—the glucosinolates inhibit the absorption of iodine by the thyroid gland.15

Pharmacokinetics

Studies show that isothiocynates are produced in the gut, possibly with the help of gut flora or in uncooked Brassicas by myrosinase activity, and they reach peak plasma levels within 8 hours after ingestion. Some of these are further metabolised to amines, both being excreted via the kidneys some 2–12 hours later.6,7

Precautions and/or safety

Large doses can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, Gastrointestinal-inflammation, cramps, paralysis, coma and death.

Historical uses

Colic; oliguria; scurvy; parasitic worms; paralysis; skin conditions; pertussis; persistent cough from influenza. Externally for “hard swellings” of liver and spleen; freckles. It was applied externally to slow healing wounds where the antimicrobial activity and circulatory stimulation would have been beneficial.

Capsella bursa-pastoris

Shepherd's purse, witches pouches

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Family Brassicaceae

Description

An annual with an erect, branched stem 15–30 cm tall. Lower leaves petiolate, in a rosette, variable in shape from not lobed to runcinate-pinnatifid, 5–15 × 2–5 cm. Upper leaves alternate, clasping stems and sagittate at base, smaller leaves becoming entire. Leaves and stems both hairy. Flowers in racemes, 5–20 cm long, pedicels erect in flower and spreading in fruit. Sepals green or pinkish; petals white 2–2.5 × 0.7–1 mm, sometimes reduced or absent. Silicle narrowly or broadly triangular to heart-shaped, 5–10 × 4–7 mm with sharply keeled valves and reticulate veins, greenish brown. Seeds pale brown. Flowers and fruits most of the year.

Odour—faint and unpleasant; taste—somewhat acrid and bitter.

Habitat and cultivation

A European weed which is naturalised in other countries, growing in cultivated ground and waste land. It is grown from seed and self-sows freely. It is difficult to cultivate as it goes to seed very quickly.

Parts used

The herb. In Germany the herb, including the seed pods, is an official medicine. Capsella can be very variable in its physical appearance.

Active constituents

1) Flavonoids including rutinosides of luteolin and quercitin16 and diosmin17

2) Glucosinolates including sinigrin18

3) Polypeptides, not yet characterised19

Also contains acids—fumaric20 and bursic—and bases consisting of choline, acetylcholine, histamine and tyramine,21 alkaloids possibly yohimbine and ergocristine17 and volatile oil (approx. 0.02%).22

Nutritional constituents

Vitamins: A, C and K

Minerals: Calcium, iron, potassium (significant amounts), sodium, sulphur and zinc

Actions

1) Antihaemorrhagic

2) Urinary antiseptic

3) Antipyretic

Scientific information

Capsella has a centuries-long history of use both as a food and as a medicine. It is used in many cultures including Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine and was used during World War I as an anti-haemorrhagic (Grieve). It is approved by German Commission E for the treatment of menorrhagia, metrorrhagia and epistaxis.

As a widespread weed it has attracted interest for reasons other than its pharmacology. Much of the medicinal research was undertaken decades ago, using animal models.

It has been proposed as a bio-monitor for heavy metal pollution particularly for short term changes23 and this indicates caution is needed in sourcing the herb for medicine making from urban areas.

The medicinal use of the herb relies largely on tradition. The constituents responsible for the accepted use as an antihaemorrhagic have not been identified but it seems unlikely to be due to acetylcholine.24

In vitro—Capsella is a good antimicrobial, the flavonoid and alkaloid fractions having the strongest and broadest activities.17

In Eastern countries the herb had been known as a remedy to treat cancer and research has identified fumaric acid has antitumour properties.25

Medicinal uses

Gastro-intestinal tract

Urinary tract

Reproductive tract

Pharmacy

Three times daily  
Infusion of dried herb –   1–4 g
Fluid Extract (25%) –   1–4 ml

Historical uses

Inward and outward wounds including haemoptysis; haemorrhoids; uterine cramps; irritation of, and catarrh in, the urinary tract; bound to wrists or feet for jaundice; as a poultice for external inflammations including rheumatic joints, also for bruising; juice used for earache and noises in the ears; inserted into the nose on cotton wool for nose bleeds; as an ointment for all wounds. In China it has been used as an anti-hypertensive.