Some Cactaceous and Succulent Plants Used in Homeopathic Therapy

Summary

The raw materials to prepare homeopathic remedies come from whole plants and animals, or some of their parts or secretions, as well as minerals and isolated and purified organic or inorganic chemicals. Most of the materials originate from a variable number of plants (from 390 to 750 or more), according to different pharmacopoeias and materia medicae. The purpose of this research is provide knowledge of some cactaceae and other succulent plants employed in homeopathy and collect related information published in databases, pharmacopoeias, materiae medicae and other books.

The technique followed to obtain the information was bibliographic screening by keyword (scientific name and botanic family). Information was found about 14 species related to 7 botanic families. Here their clinical uses are presented, as well as parts employed, and some of the chemical compounds and secondary metabolites that could be responsible for their pharmacological activity.

Key words

Medicinal Plants - Cactaceae - Succulent plants - Opuntia ficus indica - Lophophora williamsii

References

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