Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 83 Activities (Black Bean) — Antiaggregant (1; FNF); Antiangiogenic (1; FNF); Antibacterial (1; WBB); Anticancer (1; FNF); Antidepressant (1; FNF); Antidiabetic (1; PHR; PH2); Antileukemic (1; FNF); Antilymphomic (1; FNF); Antimelanomic (1; FNF); Antiprostatitic (1; FNF); Antipyretic (f; CRC); Antiviral (1; MPI); Apoptotic (1; FNF); Cardioprotective (1; FNF); Carminative (f; CRC; EFS); Chemopreventive (1; FNF); Depurative (f; CRC; EFS); Diaphoretic (f; CRC); Diuretic (2; PHR; KOM); Emmenagogue (f; CRC); Emollient (f; CRC; SKJ); Estrogenic (1; FNF; JAD); Fungicide (1; CRC; DAA); Hepatoprotective (1; FNF); Hypocholesterolemic (1; FNF; JAD); Hypoglycemic (1; DAA); Hypotensive (1; FNF); Lipolytic (1; FNF); Lipotropic (1; FNF); Mutagenic (f; MPI); Resolvent (f; CRC; EFS) Indications (Black Bean) — Acne (f; CRC); Albuminuria (f; CRC); Alcoholism (1; FNF); Anemia (1; FNF); Anorexia (1; FNF); Anuria (2; KOM); Bacteria (1; WBB); Bladder Stone (2; PHR); BPH (1; FNF); Burn (f; CRC); Cancer (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, blood (1; DAA; FNF); Cancer, breast; (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, testicle (1; FNF; JLH); Cardiopathy (1; FNF); Cholecystosis (f; PHR); Cold (f; CRC); Cystosis (1; CRC; MAD; PHR); Depression (1; FNF); Dermatosis (f; FNF); Diabetes (1; CRC; DAA; FNF; MAD; PHR; PH2); Diarrhea (f; CRC); Dropsy (f; CRC; MAD); Dysentery (f; CRC); Dysuria (1; PHR); Eczema (f; CRC); Edema (f; FNF); Endometriosis (1; FNF; TGP); Enterosis (1; FNF); ERT (1; FNF); Fever (f; CRC); Fibrosis (f; FNF); Fungus (1; CRC; DAA); Gas (f; CRC; EFS); Gastrosis (f; FNF); Glaucoma (1; FNF); Gout (f; MAD); Headache (f; CRC); Heart (f; CRC); Hematuria (f; MAD); Hepatosis (1; FNF); Hiccup (f; CRC); High Blood Pressure (1; FNF); High Cholesterol (1; FNF; JAD); Hot Flashes (1; FNF); Hyperglycemia (1; DAA); Hyperlipoproteinemia (1; FNF); Infection (1; CRC; DAA; PHR; PH2; WBB); Itch (f; CRC); Kidney Stone (2; PHR); Leukemia (1; FNF); Lymphoma (1; FNF); Melanoma (1; FNF); Menopause (1; FNF; JAD); Mycosis (1; CRC; DAA); Nephrosis (f; CRC; DAA; FNF; PHR); Neurosis (f; FNF); Obesity (1; FNF); Osteoporosis (1; FNF; JAD); Pain (f; JLH); Pericardosis (f; MAD); Pleurosis (f; MAD); Retinosis (1; FNF); Rheumatism (f; CRC; DAD; MAD); Rickets (f; FNF); Sciatica (f; CRC; DAA); Scurvy (f; CRC); Sore (f; FNF; JLH); Steatosis (f; FNF); Stone (2; PHR; PH2); Syndrome-X (1; FNF; SYN); Tenesmus (f; CRC); Toxemia (f; FNF); Tuberculosis (f; FNF); Tumor (f; CRC; JLH); Ulcer (f; JLH); UTI (2; PHR); Virus (1; MPI); Wart (f; CRC); Water Retention (2; KOM; MAD; PHR) Dosages (Black Bean) — Drink the string bean pot likker as food farmacy, and eat the string beans (JAD); I often enjoy 100–200 g with diced raw onion; 0.5 cup seed (100 g) as food (JAD); 5–15 g herb (green pod)/day (KOM; PHR); pour hot water over 2.5 g dry powdered pods Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Black Bean) — Not covered by AHP None known (KOM).“Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2) The Herbal PDR hints that poisonings due to over consumption of too many raw beans is not impossible, due to lectins, which are destroyed by cooking Symptoms include diarrhea, gastroenterosis, and vomiting Of course, overconsumption of dry bean seeds can also lead to GI distress such as flatus and dyspepsia BLACKBERRY (Rubus spp.) ++ Most European entries (EFS, HHB, MAD, PH2) accrue to R fruticosus, the European blackberry Most American entries (CEB, DEM, FAD, FEL) accrue to American species I think raspberries and blackberries can be treated generically, when it comes to medicine, like bilberries and blueberries Activities (Blackberry) — Antibacterial (1; MAD); Antidote (f; DEM); Antiinflammatory (1; APA); Antioxidant (1; JNU); Antitumor (f; APA); Apoptotic (f; JNU); Astringent (1; APA; EFS PH2); Depurative (f; DEM; EFS); Detoxicant (1; JNU); Diaphoretic (f; MAD); Diuretic (f; DEM; B 84 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs EFS); Fungicide (f; MAD); Hemostat (1; APA); Hypocholesterolemic (1; JNU); Stimulant (f; DEM); Tonic (f; DEM; EFS) B Indications (Blackberry) — Angina (f; MAD); Appendicitis (f; MAD); Bacteria (1; MAD); Bleeding (1; APA; DEM; FEL; FNF; MAD); Boil (1; DEM; FNF); Bronchosis (f; CEB; MAD); Cancer (1; JLH; JNU); Catarrh (f; DEM); Childbirth (f; FEL); Cholera (f; FEL); Cold (f; DEM; MAD); Condyloma (f; JLH); Conjunctivosis (1; CEB; DEM; FNF); Cough (f; CEB; DEM; MAD); Dermatosis (f; MAD); Diabetes (f; MAD); Diarrhea (2; APA; DEM; PHR; PH2); Dropsy (f; APA; MAD; PH2); Dysentery (1; DEM; FNF); Dysmenorrhea (f; DEM; MAD); Dysuria (f; DEM); Enterosis (1; APA; MAD; PH2); Exanthema (f; MAD); Fever (f; DEM; FEL; MAD); Fungus (1; MAD); Gastrosis (1; APA; DEM; PH2); Gleet (f; FEL); Glossosis (f; DEM); Gonorrhea (f; FEL); Gout (f; APA); Gravel (f; CEB); Headache (f; DEM); Hematemesis (1; DEM; FNF); Hemoptysis (f; CEB); Hemorrhoid (1; APA; CEB; DEM); High Cholesterol (1; JNU); Infection (1; DEM; FNF; MAD); Inflammation (1; APA; JLH); Leukorrhea (f; FEL; MAD); Lung Problem (f; DEM); Menorrhagia (f; MAD); Miscarriage (f; DEM); Mycosis (1; MAD); Nausea (f; FEL); Nephrosis (f; MAD); Ophthalmia (f; CEB; DEM); Pharyngosis (2; APA; PHR; PH2); Phthisis (f; CEB); Proctosis (f; FEL); Prolapse (f; FEL); Pulmonosis (f; CEB); Rheumatism (f; DEM); Scab (f; MAD); Scabies (f; MAD); Sore (1; DEM; FNF); Sore Throat (2; APA; DEM); Stomatosis (2; APA; MAD; PHR; PH2); Stone (f; MAD); Swelling (f; APA); Tonsilosis (f; MAD); Tuberculosis (1; DEM; FNF; MAD); Tumor (f; APA); Uterosis (f; FEL); VD (f; DEM); Vomiting (f; DEM; FEL); Wart (f; JLH); Water Retention (f; DEM; EFS); Wound (f; APA) Dosages (Blackberry) — 1–2 tsp chopped leaf/cup water, up to ×/day; tsp (~4.4 g) leaf in hot tea; 1.5 g leaf/cup tea, 2–3 ×/day (PH2); 1–2 tsp powdered bark/cup water; up to tsp tincture/day (APA); 1500 mg root tea up to ×/day (APA); 20–30 grains powdered root bark (FEL); 2–4 ml liquid root extract (PNC) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Blackberry) — Class (AHP) Extracts (Blackberry) — Anthocyanins and polyphenols in berries of several Ribes, Rubus, and Vaccinium spp have in vitro antiradical activity on chemically generated superoxide radicals The extracts also inhibit xanthine oxidase All crude extracts were highly active toward chemically generated superoxide radicals Ribes nigrum extracts exhibited most activity, being the richest in both anthocyanins and polyphenols But Ribes rubrum extracts seem to contain more active substances (X1332092) BLACKBERRY LILY (Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC.) ++ Synonym — B punctata Moench, Gemmingia chinensis Kuntze, Ixia chinensis L Activities (Blackberry Lily) — Alexeteric (f; WO2); Antiallergic (1; WO3); Antiasthmatic (f; WO3); Antibacterial (1; FAY); Antidote, curare (f; FAY); Antiemetic (f; LMP); Antihistaminic (f; WO3); Antiinflammatory (f; WO3); Antioxidant (1; WO3); Antipyretic (f; DAA); Antitussive (f; WO3); Antiviral (1; FAY); Aperient (f; WO2); Bitter (f; LMP; WO2); Carminative (f; LMP); Cholinergic (1; WO3); Deobstruent (f; LMP; WO2); Depurative (f; LMP; WO2); Detoxicant (f; FAY); Diuretic (f; LMP); Emmenagogue (f; LMP); Expectorant (f; DAA; FAY; WO3); Fungicide (1; FAY); Hypotensive (1; FAY); Laxative (f; DAA); Stomachic (f; DAA); Tonic (f; DAA) Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 85 Indications (Blackberry Lily) — Allergy (1; WO3); Asthma (1; DAA; LMP; WO3); Bacteria (1; FAY); Boil (f; DAA); Bronchosis (f; FAY); Bruise (f; DAA); Cancer (f; DAA); Cancer, breast (f; DAA; FAY); Cancer, larynx (f; DAA); Childbirth (f; LMP); Constipation (f; DAA); Cough (f; FAY); Dermatosis (f; FAY); Dropsy (f; DAA); Dysmenorrhea (f; DAA; FAY); Dysuria (f; DAA); Fever (f; DAA); Fungus (1; FAY); Gas (f; LMP); Gastrosis (f; DAA); Goiter (f; DAA); Gonorrhea (f; DAA; LMP); Hepatosis (f; DAA; FAY); High Blood Pressure (1; FAY); Infection (1; FAY); Inflammation (f; WO3); Laryngosis (f; DAA; FAY); Lumbago (f; LMP); Malaria (f; DAA); Mastosis (f; DAA; FAY); Mycosis (1; FAY); Parotosis (f; FAY); Pulmonosis (f; DAA); Rheumatism (f; DAA); Sore Throat (f; FAY; WO3); Splenosis (f; DAA; FAY); Stomachache (f; DAA); Swelling (f; DAA; LMP); Tonsilosis (f; DAA; FAY; LMP); VD (f; DAA); Virus (1; FAY); Vomiting (f; LMP); Water Retention (f; LMP) Dosages (Blackberry Lily) — 2.5–9 g root in decoction (FAY); root made into poultice (FAY) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Blackberry Lily) — Not covered (AHP; KOM; PH2) Contraindicated in pregnancy; contains toxic iridoids belamcandin and iridin Root for use only under medical supervision BLACK BRYONY (Tamus communis L.) X Activities (Black Bryony) — Allergenic (1; PH2); Diuretic (f; GMH); Emetic (1; GMH; PH2); Histaminic (1; PH2); Laxative (f; EFS; HHB); Propecic (f; HHB; PH2); Rubefacient (f; PH2); Toxic (1; GMH); Vulnerary (f; EFS) Indications (Black Bryony) — Alopecia (f; HHB; PH2); Arthrosis (f; JLH); Asthma (f; GMH); Bruise (f; EFS; PH2); Cancer (f; JLH); Cancer, spleen (f; JLH); Chilblain (f; GMH); Constipation (f; HHB); Dermatosis (f; PH2); Gout (f; PH2); Gravel (f; GMH); Induration (f; JLH); Paralysis (f; GMH); Phymata (f; JLH); Polyp (f; JLH); Rheumatism (f; PH2); Rhinosis (f; JLH); Sore (f; GMH); Splenosis (f; JLH); Strain (f; PH2); Water Retention (f; GMH); Whitlow (f; JLH) Dosages (Black Bryony) — Don’t take internally (JAD) Fruits steeped in gin for chilblain (GMH) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Black Bryony) — Not covered (AHP; KOM) Oxalate needles on contact may trigger histaminic reactions; internally may irritate mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines (PH2) “Death in most painful form is the result of an overdose” (GMH) B 86 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs BLACK COHOSH (Actaea racemosa L.) + B Synonym — Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) Nutt Activities (Black Cohosh) — Abortifacient (f; DEM); Alterative (f; CRC; PED); Analgesic (f; DEM); Antibacterial (f; APA); Antidotal (f; CRC); Antiinflammatory (f; CRC; PNC); Antipyretic (1; PNC); Antirheumatic (1; MAB; PED); Antiserotonin (1; MAB); Antispasmodic (1; MAB; PED; PNC); Antitumor-Proliferation (1; MAB); Antitussive (f; CAN; CRC); Antiulcer (1; PNC); Aphrodisiac (f; CRC); Astringent (1; CRC; DEM; PED); Bitter (1; HHB; PED); CNS-Depressant (1; PNC); Depurative (f; DEM); Diaphoretic (f; CRC; PED); Diuretic (f; APA; PED; PNC); Emmenagogue (1; CRC; PED; PNC); Estrogenic (2; KOM; MAB; PED; PH2); Expectorant (f; APA; CRC; PED); Hypoglycemic (1; APA; CRC; PNC); Hypotensive (1; APA; MAB; PNC); Immunodepressant (1; MAB); Lactagogue (f; DEM); Mucolytic (f; APA); Narcotic (f; CRC); Peripheral Vasodilator (2; CAN; CRC; PNC); Sedative (1; FAD; CAN; CRC); Stomachic (f; CRC); Luteinizing-Hormone Suppressant (2; APA; KOM); Tonic (f; CRC; DEM; HHB); Tranquilizer (f; APA); Uterocontractant (1; PED); Uterotonic (1; MAB) Indications (Black Cohosh) — Adenopathy (f; JLH); Amenorrhea (1; CRC; MAB); Arthrosis (f; CAN; CRC; HHB); Asthma (f; MAB); Autoimmune Disease (1; MAB); Backache (f; DEM); Bacteria (f; APA); Bite (f; PH2); Bronchosis (f; APA; CRC; FAD; PED; PH2); Cancer (1; JLH; MAB); Cancer, groin (f; JLH); Cancer, liver (f; CRC); Cancer, tongue (f; JLH); Chorea (f; CAN; CRC; FAD; HHB; MAB); Neurovegetative Ailment (2; HHB; KOM); Cold (f; DEM); Constipation (f; DEM); Cough (f; APA; CAN; DEM); Cramp (1; MAB; PED; PNC; SKY); Diabetes (1; APA; Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 87 PNC); Diarrhea (1; CRC; DEM; PED); Dropsy (f; CRC); Dysmenorrhea (2; APA; HHB; KOM; PH2; SKY); Dyspepsia (f; APA); ERT (2; KOM; MAB; PED); Fatigue (f; DEM); Fever (1; CRC; FAD; PED; PH2; PNC); Gynecopathy (f; CRC); High Blood Pressure (1; APA; MAB; PNC); Hives (f; DEM); Hot Flash (1; APA); HRT (2; BGB); Hyperglycemia (1; APA; CRC; PNC); Hysteria (f; CRC); Inflammation (f; CRC; PNC); Insomnia (1; CAN; CRC; DEM; FAD; PNC); Itch (f; CRC); Lumbago (1; CRC; FAD; PH2); Malaise (f; BGB; CRC); Malaria (f; BGB; CRC); Mastosis (1; MAB); Measles (f; PH2); Menopause (2; BGB; MAB; PH2 SHT); Menorrhagia (1; CRC; MAB); Menstrual Problem (2; SKY); Metastasis (f; JLH); Myalgia (f; CAN); Nephrosis (f; BGB; CRC; DEM); Nervousness (1; APA; FAD; CAN; CRC); Neuralgia (f; MAB); Nervousness (1; APA; CRC); Otosis (f; HHB); Pain (f; BGB; DEM; HHB); Parturition (1; CRC; FAD); Pertussis (f; CRC; MAB; PNC); PMS (2; APA; KOM; PH2); Poor Milk Supply (f; DEM); Rheumatism (1; APA; BGB; CAN; HHB; MAB; PED; PH2); Sciatica (1; CAN); Scirrhus (f; JLH); Snakebite (f; APA; CRC; FAD; PH2); Sore Throat (f; APA; BGB; CRC; PH2); Tinnitus (1; CAN; CRC; MAB); Tuberculosis (f; DEM); Tumor (1; MAB); Ulcer (1; PNC); Uterosis (f; CRC); Water Retention (f; APA; PED; PNC); Yellow Fever (f; CRC) Dosages (Black Cohosh) — 40–200 mg/day (APA); 0.5 tsp powdered root/cup water, up to cup/day (APA); g powdered root ×/day (HHB); 0.3–2 g powdered root (PNC); 0.5–1 g dry root 3–4 ×/day (MAB); 1.5–3 g dry root (PED); 300–2000 mg dry root (SF); g dry root:10 ml alcohol/10 mg water (PED); 1–3 tbsp fresh root (PED); 0.3–2 g rhizome ×/day (CAN; SKY); 0.3–2 ml liquid root extract (PNC); 2–4 ml root tincture; 40 mg herb in 40–60% ethanol (SF); up to tsp tincture/day (APA); 2–4 ml tincture (1:10 in 60% alcohol) (CAN); 3.5–7 ml tincture (1:5); 6–12 ml tincture (1:10) (MAB); 0.3–2.0 ml liquid extract (1:1 in 90% alcohol) (CAN); 1.5–3 ml fluid extract (1:2) (MAB); (540 mg) capsule ×/day (NH); 40 mg StX (1 mg deoxyacteine)/day (SKY) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Black Cohosh) — Class 2b, 2c (AHP) No contraindications/drug interactions noted (KOM) I got a challenging letter from German parties with an economic interest in cohosh, asking where I got the cautionary remarks from in my 1985 CRC book They must really be irritated by what follows: Commission E reports occasional gastric complaints Not to be used for more than months (AEH) With prolonged use, may irritate the uterus, cause dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headaches, joint pains, and lowered heart rate Can contribute to abnormal blood clotting and liver problems Can encourage breast tumors Should not be used by anyone with any type of heart disease or by anyone advised not to take oral contraceptives “Women taking estrogen therapy should consult a physician before using black cohosh” (SKY) Can cause premature labor Because of insufficient data, use during pregnancy and lactation is not advised Should be used only under medical supervision (TMA, 1996) High doses may cause diaphoresis, dizziness, nausea, reduced pulse rate, visual disturbances, and vomiting (CAN) Because of uterine estrogen receptor binding in vitro, its use in pregnancy and lactation is to be avoided What they say about black cohosh should be templated and said for every herb, “It has been recommended that black cohosh should only be used in therapeutic doses, and that high doses are potentially dangerous” (CAN) “Canadian regulations not allow black cohosh as a non-medicinal ingredient for oral use products” (Michols, 1995) Pedersen is not much kinder, “Such constituents as tannins, gallic acid, and pseudotannins, including isoferulic acid, and the salicylates, are irritants to the skin, lungs, and kidneys The drastic action of the irritant principles in black cohosh are not lethal, but overdoses are characterized by nausea and headache” (PED) Schulz et al (1998) are nicer to this herb, sold in Germany and America, than the Anglos quoted above In five studies using doses equivalent to 40 mg/day crude herb, there are no case reports of toxic effects from the herb, and there appears to be no specific toxicity associated with any of its known constituents Two of the five showed mild side effects (dizziness, GI distress, headache, and weight gain) No other contraindications are known The duration of use should not exceed months (SHT) Cohosh extract augmented the activity of tamoxiphen (MAB) Finally, let me quote Gruenwald, editor-in-chief of the Herbal PDR, and coincidentally, also editor of the ABC Commission B ... stomach, and intestines (PH2) “Death in most painful form is the result of an overdose” (GMH) B 86 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs BLACK COHOSH (Actaea racemosa L.) + B Synonym — Cimicifuga racemosa... (1; FAY); Hypotensive (1; FAY); Laxative (f; DAA); Stomachic (f; DAA); Tonic (f; DAA) Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 85 Indications (Blackberry Lily) — Allergy (1; WO3); Asthma (1; DAA; LMP; WO3);...84 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs EFS); Fungicide (f; MAD); Hemostat (1; APA); Hypocholesterolemic (1; JNU); Stimulant