Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 293 Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (False Schisandra) — Not covered (AHP) “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2) FALSE UNICORN ROOT, DEVIL’S BIT (Chamaelirium luteum (L.) A Gray) + Synonyms — Helonias dioica; and in the PH2, Veratrum luteum Activities (False Unicorn Root) — Antihydrotic (f; HHB); Aperitif (f; FAD); Diuretic (f; APA; EFS; PH2); Emetic (f; APA); Emmenagogue (1; APA; EFS; FNF); Estrogenic (1; APA; FNF); Laxative (f; APA); Mastogenic (1; FNF); Oxytocic (1; PH2); Tonic (f; APA); Uterotonic (1; FAD; FNF; MAD); Vermifuge (1; EFS; PH2) Indications (False Unicorn Root) — Albuminuria (f; MAD); Amenorrhea (1; APA; FNF; MAD); Anemia (f; MAD); Anorexia (f; FAD); Backache (f; MAD); Cervicosis (f; MAD); Childbirth (f; MAD); Climacteric (f; HHB); Colic (f; FAD); Constipation (f; APA); Cystosis (f; MAD); Debility (f; MAD); Dysmenorrhea (1; APA; FNF; PH2); Dyspepsia (f; APA; FAD); Endometriosis (f; MAD); Fever (f; APA; HHB); Hepatosis (f; APA); Infertility (1; APA; FNF); Leukorrhea (f; APA; MAD); Menopause (1; APA; FNF); Menorrhagia (f; MAD); Metritis (f; MAD); Miscarriage (threatened) (1; APA; FNF); Morning Sickness (1; CAN; FNF); Nephrosis (f; MAD); Neurasthenia (f; MAD); Pain (f; APA); Parturition (1; APA; FNF); Pregnancy (f; PH2); Prolapse (f; MAD); Prostatosis (f; APA); Spermatorrhea (f; HHB); Uterosis (f; MAD); Water Retention (f; APA; EFS; PH2); Worm (f; APA; EFS; FAD; PH2); (not considered by KOM; PH2) Dosages (False Unicorn Root) — 2–4 ml liquid root extract (APA; PNC); 1–2 g root as tea ×/day (CAN); 1–2 ml liquid root extract (1:1 in 45% ethanol) ×/day (CAN); 2–5 ml root tincture (1:5 in 45% ethanol) ×/day (CAN) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (False Unicorn Root) — Class 2b Emmenagogue, GI irritant, and uterotonic (AHP) “Health hazards not known with proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2) (but PH2 designates no specific quantified dosage! JAD) Overdosage with saponins can cause gastric distress Large doses may cause nausea and vomiting (CAN) Avoid during pregnancy (FAD; PH2) Canadian regulations not allow it as an ingredient in oral use products (Michols, 1995) FANG JI, HAN FANG JI (Stephania tetrandra S Moore) + Activities (Fang Ji) — Analgesic (1; DAA); Antiaggregant (1; KEB); Antiallergic (f; KEB); Antianginal (2; KEB); Antiarrhythmic (1; KEB); Antiasthmatic (f; KEB); Antiatherogenic (1; KEB); Anticollagen (f; KEB); Antiedemic (f; DAA); Antifibrotic (2; KEB); Antiinflammatory (1; DAA); Antileukotriene (1; KEB); Antioxidant (1; KEB); Antiphagocytotic (1; KEB); Antipyretic (f; DAA); Antirheumatic (1; KEB); Antiseptic (1; DAA); Antithromboxane (f; KEB); Antitumor (1; DAA); Calcium Antagonist (1; KEB); Carminative (f; DAA); Diuretic (f; DAA); Hypotensive (2; KEB); Immunodepressant (f; KEB); Laxative (f; DAA); Myorelaxant (1; KEB); NKC-inhibitor (1; KEB); NO-Inhibitor (1; KEB) Indications (Fang Ji) — Allergy (f; KEB); Amebiasis (2; KEB); Angina (2; KEB); Arrhythmia (1; KEB); Arthrosis (1; DAA; KEB); Asthma (f; KEB); Atherosclerosis (1; KEB); Autoimmunism (f; KEB); Cancer (1; DAA); Carbuncles (f, DAA); Constipation (f; DAA); Diabetes (1; KEB); Dysentery (2; KEB); Dysuria (f; KEB); Edema (f; DAA); Encephalosis (1; KEB); Fever (f; DAA); Fibrosis (2; KEB); Gas (f; DAA); High Blood Pressure (2; KEB); IDDM (1; KEB); Inflammation (1; DAA); Lumbago (f; DAA); Myalgia (f; DAA); Neuralgia (f; DAA); Pain (1; DAA); Pulmonosis F 294 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs (f; KEB); Rheumatism (1; DAA; KEB); Scabies (f; DAA); Silicosis (2; KEB); Swelling (f; DAA); Tumor (1; DAA); Uveosis (1; KEB); Water Retention (f; DAA) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Fang Ji) — Class (AHP) Canadian regulations not allow fang ji as a nonmedicinal ingredient in oral use products (AHP); too often adulterated with nephrotoxic species of Aristolochia (AHP) Tetrandrine is hypotensive at 100 mg ×/day (oral) for a week That equates to 10–20 g herb/day (KEB) FENNEL (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) ++ F Activities (Fennel) — Abortifacient (1; CRC); Alexeteric (f; KAB); Analgesic (1; APA; CRC; MAB; SKY; TAD); Anorectic (1; APA; TAD); Antiandrogenic (1; MAB); Antibacterial (1; APA; MAB; TAD); Antidopaminergic (1; MAB); Antidote (f; APA); Antiedemic (1; TRA); Antifertility (1; MAB); Antiinflammatory (1; APA; PNC; SHT; TRA); Antileukemic (1; MAB); Antioxidant (1; MAB); Antipyretic (1; MAB; SKY; TAD); Antiseptic (1; KOM; MAB; TAD; TRA); Antispasmodic (1; APA; KOM; MAB; PH2; PNC; TRA; WAM); Antitussive (1; MAB); Antiviral (1; TRA); Antiwrinkle (f; MAB); Aperitif (f; BGB; JFM; KAB; PNC); Aphrodisiac (1; CRC; KAB; MAB); Bitter (1; KAB); Cardiotonic (f; CRC); Carminative (1; APA; PNC; SUW; TRA; WAM); Choleretic (1; MAB; SKY; TAD); Cholinomimetic (1; MAB); Collyrium (f; CRC; DEM; JFM); Cytotoxic (1; MAB); Diaphoretic (f; NAD); Digestive (1; AKT; BGB; TAD; WAM); Diuretic (1; APA; HHB; MAB; SUW; TRA; ZUL); Emmenagogue (1; APA; CRC; FFJ14:382; SUW); Estrogenic (1; TRA); Expectorant (1; APA; MAB; SHT; TRA); Estrogenic (1; APA; PNC; SKY); Eupeptic (1; TRA); Expectorant (f; CRC); Fungicide (1; CRC; MAB; TRA); Gastrostimulant (f; PH2); Hepatoregenerative (1; PNC); Lactagogue (1; BGB; CRC; KAB; MAB; TAD; WAM); Laxative (f; NAD; SUW); Mastogenic (1; MAB); Mucogenic (1; MAB); Mucolytic (1; APA; BGB; MAB); Mutagenic (1; MAB); Myorelaxant (1; APA; MAB); Myostimulant (1; MAB); Narcotic (1; APA; CRC); Pectoral (f; CRC); Secretolytic (1; BGB; PIP; KOM); Stimulant (1; CRC; FFJ14:382; SUW); Stomachic Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 295 (1; CRC; PNC; SUW); Tonic (f; CRC; JFM); Vagina Protective (1; MAB); Vermifuge (1; CRC; KAB; SUW) Indications (Fennel) — Aerophagia (f; CRC); Alactea (1; MAB); Amenorrhea (1; CRC; KAB; MAB); Andropause (f; TAD); Anorexia (1; BGB; JFM; KAB; KAP; MAB; VVG); Apnea (1; MAB); Asthma (f; KAB); Backache (f; CRC); Bacteria (1; APA; MAB; TAD); Biliousness (f; KAB); Bite (f; CRC); Blepharosis (f; MAB); Body Odor (f; WAF); Bronchosis (2; PHR; PH2); Cancer (1; CRC; FNF; JLH); Cancer, breast (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, diaphragm (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, gum (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, liver (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, prostate (f; APA); Cancer, spleen (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, stomach (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, throat (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, uterus (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, uvula (1; FNF; JLH); Catarrh (2; BGB; KOM; PH2; PIP); Cellulite (f; MAB); Childbirth (f; CRC; DEM); Cholera (f; CRC); Cold (f; JFM); Colic (1; APA; CRC; DEM; MAB; WAM); Colitis (f; AKT; MAB); Condyloma (f; CRC); Conjunctivosis (1; APA; MAB); Constipation (1; MAB; NAD; SUW); Cough (2; APA; KAB; MAB; PHR; PH2); Cramp (1; APA; BGB; CRC; KOM; MAB; PH2; PNC; TRA; WAM); Diarrhea (1; APA; MAB; SHT); Dysentery (f; AKT; KAB); Dysmenorrhea (f; AKT; BGB; HHB); Dyspepsia (2; KOM; MAB; PH2; SHT); Dysuria (f; CRC); Earache (f; TRA); Enterosis (2; AKT; BGB; CRC; KAB; KAP; PH2; PIP; TRA); Enuresis (f; APA; CRC); Fever (1; KAB; MAB; NAD; SKY; TAD); Flu (1; ZUL); Flux (f; CRC); Frigidity (1; APA; CRC); Fullness (f; PH2); Fungus (1; CRC; MAB; TRA); Gas (2; APA; KOM; PH2; PNC; SUW; TRA; VVG; WAM); Gastrosis (2; BGB; CRC; KOM; PIP; TRA); Gonorrhea (f; CRC); Halitosis (1; AKT); Headache (f; KAB); Heart (f; CRC); Heartburn (f; DEM; MAB); Hepatosis (1; JLH; PNC); Hernia (f; APA; CRC; MAB); Hiccup (1; MAB); IBS (f; MAB; SKY); Impotence (1; CRC; MAB); Induration (f; CRC; JLH); Infection (1; CRC; MAB; TRA); Inflammation (1; APA; KAB; PNC; SHT; TRA); Jaundice (f; HHB; ZUL); Leprosy (f; KAB); Leukemia (1; MAB); Menopause (1; MAB); Morning Sickness (f; WAF); Motion Sickness (f; WAF); Mycosis (1; CRC; MAB; TRA); Nausea (1; APA; BGB; CRC; MAB); Nephrosis (f; CRC; KAB); Obesity (1; CRC; MAB); Oligolactea (1; WAM); Ophthalmia (f; CRC; DEM; KAB); Osteoporosis (1; TRA); Pain (1; APA; CRC; MAB; SKY; TAD); Pharyngosis (1; MAB); Pulmonosis (f; KAB); Respirosis (2; APA; KOM; PH2; PIP); Scirrhus (f; JLH); Side Ache (f; ZUL); Snakebite (f; APA; CRC; KAB); Sore (f; CRC); Spasm (f; CRC); Spermatorrhea (1; APA); Splenosis (f; CRC; KAB); Stomachache (1; APA; KAB; WAM; ZUL); Stomatosis (1; MAB); Strangury (f; CRC); Swelling (1; TRA); VD (f; CRC; KAB); Tenesmus (f; CRC); Thirst (f; KAB); Toothache (f; CRC); Uterosis (f; JLH); Virility (f; CRC); Virus (1; TRA); Vomiting (f; MAB); Water Retention (1; APA; CRC; HHB; MAB; SUW; TRA; ZUL); Wen (f; JLH); Worm (1; CRC; KAB; SUW); Wound (f; KAB); Wrinkle (f; MAB) Dosages (Fennel) — 900–1800 fruit/day (MAB); 2–6 tsp fresh seed (PED); 1–3 g dry seed (PED); g dry seed:10 ml alcohol/10 ml water (PED); 5–7 g seed/day (PIP); 1/2 tsp seed/cup water ×/day (SKY); 1–2 tsp mashed seed/cup water (APA); 10–40 g powder (KAP); 5–10 ml oil (KAP); 3–6 ml fluid extract (1:2)/day(MAB); 0.5–2 ml liquid seed extract (PNC); 2–4 ml tincture (SKY); 7–14 ml tincture (1:5)/day (MAB); 0.5–1 tsp tincture ×/day (APA); 5–7.5 g compound tincture (PIP); 5–20 drops EO/day (MAB); 0.1–0.6 ml EO (PH2); 0.03–0.2 ml EO (PNC); 10–20 g fennel syrup (PIP); 0.3–1 ml concentrated fennel water (PNC) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Fennel) — Class (AHP) “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2) Commission E reports no contraindications for herbal teas (and other preparations providing similar doses of EO), but other dosage forms (e.g., the EO) should be avoided during pregnancy The EO should also be avoided in infants and small children (AEH) Nursing mothers taking anise and/or fennel tea to stimulate lactation exhibited temporary CNS disturbances, emesis, lethargy, poor suckling, restlessness, and torpor in the newborn (15–20 days old), possibly due to anethole in the milk (infants were healthy at 6-month follow-up) (Acta Pediatrica 83: 683; 1994) To be avoided by women who are pregnant, lactating, or with an estrogen-dependent cancer (SKY) Adverse effects: isolated cases of allergic reactions of skin and lungs (AEH) Fennel represents a low allergenic risk A case of asthma with atopic disposition caused by F 296 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs fennel has been reported (AEH) Seeds not to be long taken at rate of g seed/day (Commission E), perhaps due to estrogenic anethole and carcinogenic estragole (I’d not be afraid.) We might extend to all apiaceous oils Bisset’s comments on celery seed oil, “The drug is contraindicated in inflammation of the kidneys,” since apiaceous EOs may increase the inflammation as a result of epithelial irritation (BIS) Extracts of fennel can induce estrus and cause growth of mammary glands (MAB) Moderate doses of an acetone extract increased the weight of the mammary glands in rats (MAB) LD50 of EO 3120 = 4500 ml/kg orally (MAB); LD50 anethole 2090 mg/kg orl rat (MAB); LD50 fennel seed tincture = >3000 mg/kg orl rat (equivalent to 30,000 seed) (MAB) F FENUGREEK (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) +++ Activities (Fenugreek) — Analgesic (f; MAD); Anesthetic (1; TAD); Antiatherosclerotic (1; BGB); Antidiabetic (1; BGB; PNC); Antidiuretic (1; CAN); Antiinflammatory (2; KOM); Antiseptic (2; KOM); Antispasmodic (1; PED; PNC); Antitumor (1; PNC); Aperitif (2; APA; CAN; PH2); Aphrodisiac (f; CRC; HHB; KAB; SPI); Astringent (f; CRC; PED); Cardiotonic (1; APA; CAN); Carminative (f; APA; CRC; WOI); Cholagogue (f; BGB); Demulcent (2; CAN; PNC); Digestive (f; APA); Diuretic (1; APA; CAN; CRC); Ecbolic (f; CRC); Emmenagogue (1; CRC; FNF; KAB); Emollient (2; APA; CAN; PH2; PNC); Estrogenic (1; JAD); Expectorant (f; CAN; CRC; SPI); Hydragogue (1; PH2); Hyperemic (2; KOM); Hypocholesterolemic (2; BGB; BRU; CRC; PNC); Hypoglycemic (2; BRU; CAN; PHR; PH2; SKY); Hypolipidemic (1; BGB); Hypotensive (1; CAN); Hypotriglyceridemic (1; BGB); Insectifuge (1; WOI); Lactagogue (1; CRC; JAD; PHR; PH2; WOI); Laxative (2; PNC); Lipolytic (1; BRU; PH2; PNC); Mastogenic (1; FNF; HAD); Mucilaginous (1; PED); Myorelaxant (1; PNC); Oxytocic (1; PNC); Parturient (f; BGB); Propecic (f; MAD); Protease Inhibitor (1; HH2); Secretolytic (2; KOM); Spermicide (1; CRC); Steroid Precursor (1; JAD); Tonic (f; CRC; PED; WOI); Uterotonic (1; APA; CAN; PED); Vermifuge (f; CRC; HHB); Vulnerary (1; CAN; PHR; TAD) Indications (Fenugreek) — Abscess (f; WOI); Adenopathy (f; CRC; HHB); Alactea (1; PH2; WOI); Allergy (f; PED); Alopecia (1; APA; KAP; MAD); Anemia (1; GMH; SPI); Anorexia (2; APA; CAN; KOM; PH2); Aposteme (f; JLH); Arthrosis (1; KOM); Atherosclerosis (1; BGB; SKY); Bacteria (1; WOI); Boil (f; BGB; GMH; KAP); Bronchosis (f; APA; PH2); Burn (f; CRC); Calculus (1; APA); Cancer (1; APA; PNC); Cancer, abdomen (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, bladder (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, breast (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, colon (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, eye (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, gland (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, groin (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, intestine (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, kidney (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, liver (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, parotid (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, rectum (1; FNF; JLH; MAD); Cancer, spleen (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, stomach Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 297 (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, testes (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, throat (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, uterus (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, uvula (1; FNF; JLH); Carbuncle (f; GMH; KAP); Catarrh (f; PH2); Childbirth (1; APA; BGB); Chilblain (f; CRC); Cholecystosis (f; CRC); Colic (f; APA; CRC; KAP); Constipation (2; PNC; SKY; SPI); Colitis (f; PH2); Cough (f; APA; PED; PH2); Cramp (1; PED; PNC); Cystosis (f; JLH; SKJ); Debility (f; MAD); Dermatosis (2; APA; CRC; PHR; PH2); Diarrhea (1; APA; CRC; KAP); Diabetes (1; BGB; PNC); Dysentery (f; HHB; KAB); Dusgeuzia (f; KAB); Dysmenorrhea (f; BGB); Dyspepsia (2; APA; CAN; PHR); Eczema (1; BGB; PHR; PH2); Edema (f; BGB; SKJ); Enterosis (f; BGB; PH2; WOI); Fatigue (f; MAD); Fever (f; APA; CRC; PH2); Fistula (f; CRC); Furunculosis (f; BGB; HHB; PHR); Gas (1; APA; CRC; WOI); Gastrosis (f; APA; BGB; CAN; GMH); Gout (f; BGB; CAN; CRC; GMH); Hay Fever (f; PED); Hemorrhoid (f; MAD); Hepatosis (f; CRC; JLH; KAP); Hernia (f; APA; BGB; CRC; PH2); High Blood Pressure (1; CAN); High Cholesterol (2; APA; BGB; BRU; CAN; CRC; PNC; SKY); High Triglyceride (1; BGB; SKY); Hyperglycemia (2; BRU; CAN; PHR; PH2; SKY); Hyperlipidemia (1; BGB); Impotence (f; APA; CRC; PH2); Infection (1; APA; WOI); Inflammation (2; APA; BRU; KOM; PH2); Leukorrhea (f; KAP); Lymphadenosis (f; BGB; CAN); Mastosis (f; JLH); Myalgia (f; BGB; CAN); Nephrosis (f; APA; CRC; JLH); Neuralgia (f; APA; CRC); Neurasthenia (f; GMH); NIDDM (2; APA; BRU; CAN; CRC); Obesity (1; BGB); Ophthalmia (f; JLH); Orchosis (f; JLH); Osteomyelosis (f; HHB; MAD); Oxaluria (1; APA); Pain (1; MAD; PH2; TAD); Parotosis (f; JLH); PMS (f; BGB); Proctosis (f; JLH; MAD); Rachosis (f; MAD); Respirosis (f; APA; PH2); Rheumatism (f; APA; CRC); Sciatica (f; CRC); Scrofula (f; GMH; HHB); Smallpox (f; KAB; KAP); Sore (f; APA; BGB; MAD; PH2); Sore Throat (1; APA; CRC; MAD); Splenosis (f; HHB; KAP); Splenomegaly (f; CRC; KAB); Stomatosis (f; APA); Swelling (f; HHB; KAB; PHR); Syndrome-X (1; SYN); Syphilis (f; SKJ); Tuberculosis (f; APA; CRC; HHB; MAD; SPI); Tumor (1; CRC; PNC); Ulcer (1; APA; PNC); Ulcus cruris (f; HHB); Uterosis (f; JLH); Vaginosis (f; BGB); VD (f; SKJ); Vomiting (f; PH2); Water Retention (1; APA; CAN; CRC); Worm (f; CRC; HHB); Wound (f; BGB; HHB) Dosages (Fenugreek) — tbsp mashed seed/8 oz water, up to ×/day as gargle (APA); 1–6 g seed ×/day (CAN); 5–90 g seed/day (SKY); 0.25–0.5 cup seed (PED); 6–12 g dry seed (PED); 50 g powdered seed with 0.25 liter water (HH2); 6.3 g/day (MAD); (620 mg) capsule 2–3 ×/day (NH) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Fenugreek) — Class 2b (AHP) “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2) Contraindicated in pregnancy (PH2) Due to its oxytoxic and uterine stimulant actions, in vitro, its use in pregnancy and lactation is to be avoided Commission E reports no contraindications or interactions for oral use of the seed Adverse skin reactions to repeated external use (AEH) An idiosyncratic gastroenterosis was fingered on fenugreek in LRNP (July 1987) One woman with micromazia complained of mastogenic activity following ingestion of fenugreek sprouts May interfere with anticoagulant, blood sugar, hormonal, and/or MAOI therapies High mucilaginous/fiber content may interfere with absorption of other drugs Since all herbs, spices, and food plants, like drugs, contain pharmacologically active ingredients, it seems it could go without saying, “the presence of pharmacologically active constituents would suggest that excessive ingestion is inadvisable” (CAN) Alcoholic seed extract LD50 = 5000 mg/kg orl rat; 2000 der rabbit (CAN) Converted to niacin and other pyridines and pyrroles when cooked (PED) FEVER BARK (Alstonia constricta F Muell.) X Activities (Fever Bark) — Antispasmodic (f; PH2); Antipyretic (f; PH2); Hypotensive (f; PH2); Stimulant (f; PH2); Uterotonic (f; PH2) Indications (Fever Bark) — Cramp (f; PH2); Diarrhea (f; PH2); Fever (1; PH2); High Blood Pressure (f; PH2); Malaria (f; PH2); Rheumatism (f; PH2) F ... isolated cases of allergic reactions of skin and lungs (AEH) Fennel represents a low allergenic risk A case of asthma with atopic disposition caused by F 296 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs fennel... CRC); Secretolytic (1; BGB; PIP; KOM); Stimulant (1; CRC; FFJ14:382; SUW); Stomachic Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 295 (1; CRC; PNC; SUW); Tonic (f; CRC; JFM); Vagina Protective (1; MAB); Vermifuge...294 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs (f; KEB); Rheumatism (1; DAA; KEB); Scabies (f; DAA); Silicosis (2; KEB); Swelling