Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum L.)

Compositae Composite family

Parts used and where grown: Boneset’s leaves and flowering tops are employed medicinally. It belongs to the same botanical family as echinacea and Asteraceae (daisy). Boneset grows primarily in North America.

In what conditions might boneset be supportive?

Â¥ common cold/sore throat

Â¥ influenza

Medicinal Properties: Laxative, antispasmodic, expectorant, vasoconstrictor, cholagogue, cathartic, emetic, febrifuge, tonic, aperient, diaphoretic, diuretic, nervine, carminative, stimulant

Historical or traditional use: Native Americans pioneered the use of boneset as a treatment for a wide range of infectious, fever-related conditions. Europeans eventually adopted the use of the plant, and some claimed it was even occasionally effective in treating malaria.1

Uses: A common home remedy of 19th century America, extensively used by Native Americans and early settlers. Widely used, reportedly with success, during flu epidemics in 19th and early 20th century.

The effect of boneset depends on the form it is taken in. Taken cold, the infusion has tonic and mildly laxative effects. Taken warm, it is diaphoretic and emetic and can be used to break up a common cold, for intermittent fever, cough, and for the flu. The hot infusion is both emetic and cathartic. Used for malaria, rheumatism, spasms, cystitis, urinary stones, relieves night-time urination, fluid retention, jaundice, wounds, urinary stones, pneumonia, pleurisy, dyspepsia, relieves constipation (taken in a cold drink, it is a mild laxative), has calming effect, ague, gout. Leaves poulticed onto tumors. German research suggests nonspecific immune system-stimulating properties, perhaps vindicating historical use in flu epidemics.

Promotes sweating, relaxes peripheral blood vessels, muscle cramps, sore throat, cough, headache, stuffy nose.

Biochemical Information: Euparin, which is yellow and crystalline (C 12, H 11, O 3), eupurpurin is an oleoresin that is precipitated from an alcoholic tincture of this herb.

Active constituents: Boneset contains sesquiterpene lactones, such as euperfolin, euperfolitin, and eufoliatin, as well as polysaccharides and flavonoids. In test-tube and other studies, extracts of boneset have been shown to stimulate immune cell function.2 This may explain its ability to help fight off minor viral infections, such as colds and the flu.

How much should I take? Traditionally, boneset is taken as a tea or tincture. To prepare a tea, boiling water is added to 1&endash;2 U.S. teaspoons (5-10 grams) of the herb and allowed to steep, covered, for ten to fifteen minutes. Three cups a day should be drunk (the tea is quite bitter). Tincture is often taken in a quantity of 2&endash;3 ml three times per day.

Are there any side effects or interactions? A small number of people experience nausea and/or vomiting when using boneset; the fresh plant is much more likely than the dried herb to cause this. Although potentially liver-damaging chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids are found in some plants similar to boneset, the levels are minimal in boneset and no liver damage has been reported. Nevertheless, patients with liver disease should avoid boneset, and no one should take it consistently for long periods of time. Boneset is not recommended in pregnancy or lactation.

Warning

Emetic and laxative in large doses. May contain controversial and potentially liver-harming pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

Bibliography

The Herb Book, by John Lust, pgs., 131, 485, 486, 499.
Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke, Plate 3, pg., 78, 140.
Herb Gardening, compiled by The Robison York State Herb Garden, pg., 164.
American Folk Medicine, by Clarence Meyer, pg., 285.
The Complete Medicinal Herbal, by Penelope Ody, pgs., 57, 134-135, 158-159, 180.
Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, pgs., 60-61.
Earl Mindell’s Herb Bible, by Earl Mindell, pgs., 55-56.
The Herbalist Almanac, by Clarence Meyer, pg., 85.
Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., pgs., 117, 120, 220.
Complete Herbal & English Physician, by Nicholas Culpeper, pgs., 53, 223.
The Yoga of Herbs, by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, pgs., 59, 64, 195.
Webster’s New World Dictionary, Third College Edition, Victoria Neufeldt, Editor in Chief, pg., 159.
How Indians Use Wild Plants for Food, Medicine & Crafts, by Frances Densmore, pg., 295.
An Instant Guide to Medicinal Plants, by Pamela Forey and Ruth Lindsay, pg., 39.
Old Ways Rediscovered, by Clarence Meyer, pg., 33.
The Rodale Herb Book, edited by William H. Hylton, pgs., 90, 98, 369-371, 478.

References:

1. Castleman M. The Healing Herbs. New York: Bantam Books 1991, 124&endash;28. 2. Woerdenbag HJ, Bos R, Hendriks H. Eupatorium perfoliatum LÑthe boneset. Z Phytother 1992;13:134&endash;39

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis L.)

Papaveraceae Poppy family

Parts used and where grown: True to its name, bloodroot has a bright red root (technically, the red-colored underground part of this plant is the rhizome). A red dye is derived from bloodroot. The plant grows primarily in North America and also in India.

In what conditions might bloodroot be supportive?

Â¥ cough

Â¥ gingivitis (periodontal disease)

Medicinal Properties: Expectorant, alterative, stimulant, diuretic, febrifuge, sedative, antibacterial, emmenagogue, tonic, emetic in larger doses. An overdose can be fatal.

Historical or traditional use: Native Americans employed bloodroot extensively in ritual and medicine. The dye was used as a body paint.1 Sore throats, cough, rheumatic pains, and various types of cancer were all treated with bloodroot.

Biochemical Information: Alkaloids including whelidonine, berberine, chelerythrine, sanguinarine

Active constituents: Alkaloids, principally sanguinarine, constitute the primary active compounds in bloodroot. These are sometimes used in toothpaste and other oral hygiene products because they inhibit oral bacteria.2 3 Test-tube studies have shown a range of anti-cancer effects for bloodroot alkaloids, but it is still unclear how safe and effective they are for this purpose.

How much should I take? Sanguinarine-containing toothpastes and mouth rinses can be used in the same way as other oral hygiene products. Bloodroot tincture is sometimes included in cough-relieving formulas, taken three times per day. However, bloodroot is rarely used alone for this purpose.

Legends, Myths and Stories: Bloodroot was used by the American Indians as a body paint and as a dye. A bachelor of the Ponca tribe would rub a piece of the root as a love charm on the palm of his hand, then scheme to shake hands with the woman he desired to marry. After shaking hands, the girl would be found willing to marry him in 5-6 days.

One Indian folk medicine guide recommended a tincture made by filling a pint bottle half-full with finely mashed root and adding equal parts of alcohol and wart until full. The recommended dosage ranged from 1-7 drops every 3-4 hours.

Uses: Internally: expectorant for acute and chronic respiratory tract affections, sinus congestion, stimulates the digestion, laryngitis, sore throat, asthma with cold thick phlegm, and croup. Most effective for pneumonia are 1 to 2 drop doses repeated frequently throughout the day. It combines well with cherry bark, eucalyptus, and honey in a syrup. A syrup may also be made with garlic and bloodroot tincture

Externally: The tincture is directly applied externally for the treatment of fungus, eczema, cancers, tumors, and other skin disorders . It is a good remedy for athlete’s foot and rashes. An ointment of bloodroot alone or in combination with other herbs is directly applied to venereal sores, tinea capitis, eczema, ringworm, scabies, and warts.

Can be used for the following ailments: adenoid infections, nasal polyps, syphilitic troubles, piles (use strong tea as an enema), typhoid fever, catarrh, scarlatina, jaundice, dyspepsia, whooping cough and rheumatism.

Small doses stimulate the digestive organs and heart. Large doses act as a sedative and narcotic. When the condition is not easily overcome, combine with equal parts of goldenseal.

Experimentally, the alkaloid sanguinarine has shown antiseptic, anesthetic, and anticancer activity.

A recommended ointment was made by mixing an ounce of the powdered root in 3 oz. of lard, bringing the mixture to a boil, simmering briefly, then straining.

Are there any side effects or interactions? Long-term use of dental products containing sanguinarine are believed to be safe.4 Only small amounts of bloodroot should be taken internally, since this herb can cause visual changes, stomach pain, vomiting, paralysis, fainting, and collapse. Long-term oral intake of bloodroot has been linked to glaucoma. Bloodroot is unsafe for use in children as well as during pregnancy and lactation.

Formulas–Dosages: As a stimulant, expectorant, or alterative use; 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. of the powdered root or 1/2 to 1 gm. in decoction; tincture, 5 to 20 drops.

In a dose of 1/20 grain (a grain is 0.002083 ounces), bloodroot is a gastric and intestinal stimulant. A dose of 1/12 grain, it is an expectorant. Doses any larger will produce emetic (vomiting) effects. 8 grains given to a patient resulted in nausea after 15 minutes. 40 minutes later complaints of headache, nausea much more violent; 60 minutes later, the patient vomited twice. The cautions surrounding care in doses is clear.

The drug is usually administered in several-drop dosages of a tincture.

Warning: Bloodroot is a powerful herb. Some reports of nibbling the root has caused tunnel vision. Do Not Ingest.

Bibliography

Back to Eden, by Jethro Kloss; pg., 96.
The Complete Medicinal Herbal, by Penelope Ody, pg., 180.
Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke, Plate 13, pg., 48.
The Herb Book, by John Lust, pgs., 128, 552.
Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., pgs., 20, 384-385.
How Indians Use Wild Plants for Food, Medicine & Crafts, by Frances Densmore, pg., 295.
American Folk Medicine, by Clarence Meyer, pg., 284.
Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, pgs., 46, 54-55, 104, 253.
The Rodale Herb Book, edited by William H. Hylton, pgs., 367-368.
Webster’s New World Dictionary, pg., 151.

References:

1. Duke JA. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1985, 424&endash;25. 2. Dzink JL, Socransky SS. Comparative in vitro activity of sanguinarine against oral microbial isolates. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1985;27(4):663&endash;65. 3. Hannah JJ, Johnson JD, Kuftinec MM. Long-term clinical evaluation of toothpaste and oral rinse containing sanguinaria extract in controlling plaque, gingival inflammation, and sulcular bleeding during orthodontic treatment. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 1989;96(3):199&endash;207. 4. Frankos VH, Brusick DJ, Johnson EM, et al. Safety of Sanguinaria extract as used in commercial toothpaste and oral rinse products. J Can Dent Assoc 1990;56(suppl 7):41&endash;47.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus)

Parts used and where grown: Although native to Europe and Asia, blessed thistle is now cultivated in many areas of the world, including the United States. The leaves, stems, and flowers are all used in herbal preparations.

In what conditions might blessed thistle be supportive?

Â¥ indigestion and heartburn

Â¥ poor appetite

Historical or traditional use: Folk medicine utilized blessed thistle tea for digestive problems, including gas, constipation, and stomach upset. This herb was also used for liver and gallbladder diseases, in a similar way as its well-known relative, milk thistle.1

Active constituents: The sesquiterpene lactones, such as cnicin, provide the main beneficial effects of blessed thistle. The bitterness of these compounds stimulates digestive activity, including the flow of saliva and secretion of gastric juice, which leads to improved appetite and digestion.2 There is some evidence that blessed thistle also has anti-inflammatory properties.

How much should I take? Many people take 2 ml three times per day of blessed thistle tincture. Approximately 2 grams of the dried herb can also be added to 250 ml (1 cup) of boiling water and steeped ten to fifteen minutes to make a tea. Three cups can be drunk each day.

Are there any side effects or interactions? Blessed thistle is relatively safe and free from side effects. Anyone with allergies to plants in the daisy family should use blessed thistle cautiously.

References:

1. Lust JB. The Herb Book. New York: Bantam Books, 1974, 343. 2. Bradley PR, ed. British Herbal Compendium, vol 1. Bournemouth, Dorset, UK: British Herbal Medicine Association, 1992, 126-7.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Bladderwrack

Fucus vesiculosus & F. distichus

Liquid extract of dried fertile thallus.

Actions: Nutritive alterative. Contains significant levels of dietary iodine.

Uses: Under-active thyroid and associated sluggish metabolism, obesity, atonic uterine tissues and menstrual irregularity; tonic for torpid person, with cold, clammy skin. Relieves irritation and chronic inflammation of bladder.

Cautions: Avoid or moderate use in hyperthyroid (over-active thyroid gland).

NOTE: Atonic means relaxed; without normal tone or tension.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.