Bryonia dioica

Bryonia dioica
Family:Bryonia dioica; Cathartic; Cytotoxic; Diaphoretic; Expectorant; Hydrogogue; Irritant; Pectoral; Purgative; Vermifuge.
Common name:Red bryony
A powerful cathartic and purgative bryony is used with great caution in present-day herbalism. It is primarily prescribed for painful rheumatic conditions. The root is cathartic cytotoxic diaphoretic expectorant hydrogogue irritant pectoral purgative and vermifuge. It is used in small quantities internally in the treatment of various inflammatory conditions bronchial complaints asthma intestinal ulcers hypertension and arthritis. Externally it is applied as a rubefacient to muscular and joint pains and pleurisy. The root which can be 75cm long and 75mm thick can be used fresh at any time of the year it can also be harvested in the autumn and be dried for later use. This plant should be used with great caution and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. See the notes above on toxicity. The whole herb has an antiviral effect.

Herbal Database

01.01.2005 01:52 []