| Mitchella repens has traditionally been used as a parturient and tonic for "female complaints," as an antimicrobial, and as a diuretic/astringent. First, 17 study participants were interviewed about their use of Mitchella repens as well as use of other herbs, in addition to spiritual and philosophical issues. Demographically, they are generally white, female, well-educated, and upper-middle class. Some of their M. repens' use corresponded with traditional uses for the plant, such as menstrual dysfunction and pregnancy. Novel utilizations included using the plant for menopause, libido, and premenstrual syndrome. None of the participants used M. repens for its antimicrobial or diuretic properties. Only one consultant was able to identify M. repens in the field. Most participants purchased manufactured, combination herbal products, of which M. repens was one component. Their use of herbal medicine was only one aspect of a larger belief system, which included environmentalism, a focus on women's issues, and a mistrust of the "medical-industrial complex." It is possible they belong to an American sub-culture known as Cultural Creatives.;Additionally, M. repens extracts were tested against 12 different microorganisms, including Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and yeasts, for antimicrobial activity. Solvents for the extracts included ethanol, methanol, and water. Extracts were made during a two year period in the spring, summer and fall of each year. The extracts were then tested by the disk-diffusion method and a swipe test assay of the resulting inhibition zones. In the microbial study, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Mycobacterium smegmatis were the most inhibited microorganisms. With the exception of Proteus mirabilis, most of the microorganisms tested were moderately inhibited by the extracts in the zone of inhibition analysis, and the displayed bacteriostatic effects from the extracts in the swipe test. No significant difference was found in the activity of the extracts between seasons.;Lastly, Infrared spectra were taken of all the extracts and compared to standard references. Mitchella repens is known to contain saponins, steroids, tannins, and bitters. While no novel constituents of M. repens were discovered, the presence of saponins was confirmed. Saponins are suggested as the active ingredient of possible medicinal value. |
