Scilla maritima, Urginea maritima (Squill)

Family: Liliaceae

Part Used: Bulb (inner scales)

Active Constituents:

Cardioactive glycosides (proscillaridin, scillaren A, at least 25 others), mucilage

Medicinal Actions:

Cardio-tonic, diuretic, expectorant, mucolytic

Medicinal Uses:

1.strong diuretic

2.increase mucous secretion clear lungs in 20 to 40 hours good for pneumonia

3.cystic fibrosis but in a lower dose

4. 

5.Felter states that the specific indications for use of Scilla include chronic cough with scanty, tenacious mucus, little expectoration; dropsy dependent upon a general asthenic condition and without fever; scanty and high colored urine with a sense of pressure in the bladder; renal over-activity with inability to retain the urine.

6.The cardiac glycosides create positive inotropic and negative chronotropic effects on the heart due to the cardiac glycosides. The physiological effects of the glycosides are strong. The absorption of the glycosides is high (15% for scillaren and 20-30% for proscillaridin) and they have a long half-life of up to 24 hours. It is indicated for use in mild to moderate heart failure. It can increase arterial pressure more strongly than digitalis does. It is a strong diuretic and edema responds strongly to Scilla.
Scilla is also used as an expectorant for the lungs. It is a strong mucolytic and expectorant. In higher doses it can increase bronchial secretions while in small doses, it decreases secretions. This combination of actions indicated Scilla for use in right-sided heart failure to reduce or prevent pulmonary edema and dependent edema.

Toxicity:

The fresh bulb will cause blistering of the skin if handled excessively. Overdose can lead to nausea, vomiting, purging, GI inflammation, and decreased volume of bloody urine, dullness, stupor, intermittent paralysis and convulsions and may lead to death in 10-24 hours.

Pharmacy:

Tincture (1:5): 5 drops to 20 drops TID or 0.5 ml – 2.0 ml TID

SE Powder (0.2% proscillaridin) - 0.1 – 0.5 gm