Lignum vitae / gout

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Guaiacum

 

Guaiacum officinale L.

G. sanctum L.

Fam. Zygophyllaceae

 

Synonyms:

Guaiac, Lignum vitae, Lignum sanctum.

 

Habitat:

W. Indies, Florida and S. America.

 

Description:

The wood is normally sold as shavings. The heart-wood is greenish brown, heavier

than water and with an aromatic and irritating taste. The resin, which accounts

for about 20%, is produced by firing the logs, and collected when melted.

 

Part Used:

Wood, resin.

 

Constituents:

(i) Lignans; furoguaiacidin, guaiacin, furoguaiacin, furoguaiaoxidin and others

[655, 656, 657] (ii) Resin acids; (-)-guaiaretic, (-)-hydroguaiaretic, guaiacic

and a- and ß-guaiaconic acids [658, 37] (iii) Miscellaneous; vanillin,

terpenoids inclùding guaiagutin, guaiasaponin etc. [37].

 

Medicinal Use:

Antirheumatic, antiinflammatory, diuretic, diaphoretic, mild laxative. Used

mainly for rheumatic pain and gout.

 

Preparations:

Liquid Extract, dose: 2-4 ml; Ammoniated Guaiacum Tincture BPC 1949, dose: 2-4

ml; Guaiacum Tincture BPC 1949, dose: 24 ml; Compound Confection of Guaiacum BPC

1949, dose: 4-8 g; Concentrated Compound Decoction of Sarsaparilla BPC 1949,

dose: 830 ml.

 

Potter's Products:

Gout and Rheumatism Tablet No. 31, Guaiacum Compound Tablet No. 215, Rheumatic

Pain Tablet No. 372.

 

Regulatory Status:

GSL.