Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 793 Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Wood Betony) — Class (AHP) None reported (PHR) Overdose may irritate stomach (CRC) Russians report finding principals in wood betony with antiinflammatory and cholagogue properties, and significantly hypotensive, but with no reference to human studies (APA) WOOD EAR, MU EHR (Auricularia spp.) ++ Activities (Wood Ear) — Allergenic (1; HOB); Analgesic (f; HOB); Antiaging (1; HOB); Antiaggregant (1; HOB); Antifertility (1; HOB); Antiinflammatory (1; HOB); Antileukocytopenic (1; HOB); Antimutagenic (1; HOB); Antioxidant (1; HOB); Antiradicular (1; HOB); Antisarcomic (1; HOB); Antiseptic (1; HOB); Antispasmodic (f; HOB); Antitumor (1; HOB); Antiulcer (1; HOB); Dermatitigenic (1; HOB); Energizer (f; HOB); Expectorant (f; HOB); Hypocholesterolemic (1; HOB); Hypotriglyceridemic (1; HOB); Immunostimulant (1; HOB); Lipolytic (1; HOB); MAOI (1; HOB); Myorelaxant (f; HOB); Vulnerary (f; HOB) Indications (Wood Ear) — Aging (1; HOB); Bleeding (1; HOB); Cancer (1; HOB); Cardiopathy (1; HOB); Childbirth (f; HOB); Circulosis (f; HOB); Constipation (f; HOB); Cramp (f; HOB); Debility (f; HOB); Diabetes (f; HOB); Dysentery (f; HOB); Enterosis (f; HOB); Hematochezia (f; HOB); Hemorrhoid (1; HOB); High Blood Pressure (f; HOB); High Cholesterol (1; HOB); High Triglycerides (1; HOB); Immunodepression (1; HOB); Inflammation (1; HOB); Leukorrhea (f; HOB); Mucososis (f; HOB); Nausea (f; HOB); Obesity (f; HOB); Ophthalmia (f; HOB); Pain (f; HOB); Pulmonosis (f; HOB); Sarcoma (1; HOB); Sclerosis (f; HOB); Toothache (f; HOB); Tumor (1; HOB); Ulcer (1; HOB); Uterosis (1; HOB) Dosages (Wood Ear) — 15 g herb in tea ×/day (HOB) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Wood Ear) — Not recommended for pregnant or lactating women WOOD ROSE (Argyreia nervosa (Burm f.) Bojer) + Synonyms: A speciosa (L f.) Sweet, Convolvulus nervosus Burm f., C speciosus L f., Lettsomia nervosa (Burm f.) Roxb Activities (Wood Rose) — Anabolic (f; WO2); Analgesic (f; CRC); Antispasmodic (f; WO2); Aphrodisiac (f; WO2); Diuretic (f; WO2); Emollient (f; WO2); Euphoriant (f; CRC); Hallucinogen (f; CRC); Hyperemic (f; CRC); Hypotensive (1; WO2); Stimulant (f; WO2); Tonic (f; WO2) Indications (Wood Rose) — Boil (f; WO2); Cold (f; WO2); Cough (f; WO2); Cramp (f; WO2); Dermatosis (f; WO2); Eczema (f; WO2); Fever (f; WO2); Gleet (f; WO2); Gonorrhea (f; WO2); High Blood Pressure (1; WO2); Impotence (f; WO2); Itch (f; WO2); Neurosis (f; WO2); Pain (f; CRC); Rheumatism (f; WO2); Ringworm (f; WO2); Strangury (f; WO2); Swelling (f; WO2); Ulcer (f; WO2); Water Retention (f; WO2) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Wood Rose) — A narcotic hallucinogen, packing a miserable hangover, with blurred vision, constipation, inertia, nausea, and vertigo (CRC) LD50 seeds 500 mg/kg W 794 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs WOODRUFF (Galium odoratum (L.) Scop.) + Synonym: Asperula odorata L Activities (Woodruff) — Antiaggregant (1; APA); Antibacterial (1; APA; CRC; HHB); Antiedemic (1; APA; PHR; PH2); Antiinflammatory (1; APA; CRC; PHR; PH2); Antiseptic (1; APA); Antispasmodic (1; APA; CRC; PHR; PH2); Anxiolytic (f; CRC); Aperient (f; CRC); Aphrodisiac (f; CRC); Astringent (1; APA); Bitter (1; APA; CRC); Deobstruent (f; CRC); Depurative (f; CRC); Diaphoretic (f; APA; CRC); Digestive (1; APA); Diuretic (f; APA; CRC); Expectorant (f; APA); Hepatotonic (f; APA); Hepatotoxic (1; CRC); Hypnotic (f; CRC); Insectifuge (1; CRC); Lymphokinetic (1; PHR; PH2); Sedative (f; APA; CRC; HHB); Sialagogue (1; APA); Stomachic (f; CRC) W Indications (Woodruff) — Anxiety (f; CRC); Arrhythmia (f; PHR); Arthrosis (1; APA); Bacteria (1; APA; CRC; HHB); Bladder Stone (f; CRC); Cancer (f; JLH); Cardiopathy (f; PHR); Cholecystosis (f; LAF); Circulosis (f; LAF; PH2); Colitis (f; CRC; HHB); Constipation (f; APA); Cramp (1; APA; CRC; HHB; PHR; PH2); Dysmenorrhea (f; PHR; PH2); Edema (1; APA; PHR; PH2); Fever (f; APA; CRC); Hemorrhoid (f; LAF; PH2); Hepatosis (f; CRC; HHB; PH2); Hysteria (f; PHR); Infection (1; HHB); Inflammation (1; APA; CRC; JLH; PHR; PH2); Insomnia (f; APA; CRC; HHB; PHR; PH2); Jaundice (f; PH2); Metrosis (f; CRC); Migraine (f; CRC); Nephrosis (f; LAF); Nervousness (f; APA; CRC; HHB; PHR; PH2); Neuralgia (f; CRC); Phlebitis (1; APA); Respirosis (f; LAF); Stomachache (f; CRC); Swelling (1; APA; PHR; PH2); Thrombophlebitis (1; APA); Thrombosis (1; APA); Varicosis (f; APA; PH2); Venosis (f; PH2); Water Retention (f; APA; CRC); Wound (1; APA; CRC) Dosages (Woodruff) — tsp (1.8 g) shoots/glass water (PHR); g drug/day (PHR) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Woodruff) — Class Rarely may cause headache (AHP) None known for proper dosages (PHR) High dosages may cause dizziness, Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 795 headache, nausea, and stupor (APA; PHR) Long-term consumption may damage idiosyncratic livers (PHR) Not allowed in German products (PHR) Animals fed large doses of coumarin may experience blood clotting problems, growth inhibition, liver damage, and testicular atrophy WOOD SAGE (Teucrium scorodonia L.) + Activities (Wood Sage) — Alterative (f; EFS); Antipyretic (f; EFS); Antiscorbutic (f; EFS); Antiseptic (1; FNF; PNC); Astringent (f; PNC); Carminative (f; PNC); Diaphoretic (f; EFS; MAD; PNC); Diuretic (f; MAD; PNC); Emmenagogue (f; EFS; MAD); Expectorant (1; HH2; MAD; PH2); Tonic (f; EFS); Vulnerary (f; PNC) Indications (Wood Sage) — Abscess (f; PNC); Adenopathy (f; MAD); Adiposity (f; MAD); Arthrosis (f; MAD); Asthma (f; MAD); Atony (f; MAD); Boil (f; PNC); Bronchosis (f; HH2; PH2); Cancer (f; JLH); Cancer, stomach (f; JLH); Catarrh (f; MAD); Cholecystosis (f; MAD); Cold (f; PNC); Cough (f; MAD); Cramp (f; HH2); Diarrhea (f; MAD); Dyspepsia (f; PNC); Fever (f; EFS; MAD; PNC); Fibroma (f; JLH); Flu (f; MAD); Gas (f; PNC); Gastrosis (f; JLH); Hemoptysis (f; MAD); Hemorrhoid (f; MAD); Hepatosis (f; HH2; MAD; PH2); High Blood Pressure (f; HH2; PH2); Inflammation (f; PH2); Mucososis (f; PH2); Orchosis (f; MAD); Pharyngosis (f; PH2); Polyp (f; JLH); Respirosis (f; PH2); Rheumatism (f; PNC); Rhinosis (f; JLH; HH2; PH2); Sore Throat (f; PH2); Spasm (f; PH2); Splenosis (f; MAD); Swelling (f; MAD); Tuberculosis (f; HH2; MAD; PH2); Water Retention (f; MAD; PNC); Wound (f; MAD; PH2) Dosages (Wood Sage) — tsp (~2.6 g) herb/cup (HH2; PH2; MAD); 2–4 ml liquid herb extract (PNC); herb poulticed topically (PNC) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Wood Sage) — Class (AHP) Not covered (KOM) None known when properly dosed (PH2) WOOD SORREL (Oxalis acetosella L.) ++ Activities (Wood Sorrel) — Antidote, arsenic (f; HHB); Antidote, quicksilver (f; HHB); Antipyretic (f; EFS); Antiscorbutic (1; EFS); Antiseptic (f; CEB); Aphrodisiac (f; CEB); Astringent (f; EFS); Cardiac (f; MAD); Depurative (f; MAD); Diuretic (1; CEB; MAD; PH2); Emmenagogue (f; HHB; MAD); Expectorant (f; HHB); Hemostat (f; HHB; MAD); Toxic (f; EFS); Vermifuge (f; HHB) Indications (Wood Sorrel) — Atherosclerosis (f; HHB); Bleeding (f; FEL; HHB; MAD); Cacoethes (f; JLH); Cancer (f; JLH; MAD; WOI); Cancer, breast (f; CEB); Cancer, lip (f; WOI); Cancer, liver (f; JLH); Cancer, mouth (f; JLH); Cancer, spleen (f; JLH); Cancer, stomach (f; JLH); Catarrh (f; FEL; WOI); Cystosis (f; MAD); Dyspepsia (f; PH2); Dysuria (f; FEL; PNC); Fever (f; EFS; MAD); Fistula (f; MAD); Gastrosis (f; CEB); Gingivosis (f; PH2); Gonorrhea (f; FEL; WOI); Heartburn (f; MAD); Hemorrhoid (f; CEB); Hepatosis (f; JLH; MAD; PH2); Induration (f; JLH); Inflammation (f; PH2); Jaundice (f; HHB; MAD); Nephrosis (f; HHB; MAD); Orchosis (f; MAD); Quinsy (f; WOI); Sclerosis (f; JLH); Scrofula (f; FEL); Scurvy (1; PH2); Sore (f; MAD); Sore Throat (f; WOI); Spermatorrhea (f; LEL); Splenosis (f; JLH); Stomatosis (f; MAD); Swelling (f; CEB); Thirst (f; MAD); Urethrosis (f; CEB); VD (f; WOI); Water Retention (1; CEB; MAD; PH2); Worm (f; HHB; MAD); Wound (f; MAD; PH2) Dosages (Wood Sorrel) — Evaporate the sorrel juice in sun, adding juice of red clover leaves and flowers, thickening with white oak ashes, applying topically to cancers, especially breast cancer (CEB) Others suggest sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella), which is in the Essiac formula W 796 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Wood Sorrel) — Not covered (AHP) “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2) (but PH2 designates no specific quantified dosage! JAD) 100 lb leaf yields 30 lb juice, yields 10 oz “Salt of Lemons” (potassium superoxalate = ?potassium binoxalate = poisonous ink remover) WOOLY DIGITALIS, WOOLY FOXGLOVE (Digitalis lanata Ehrh.) X Activities (Wooly Digitalis) — Antidote (f; CRC); Cardiotonic (f; PH2; WOI); Diuretic (1; PH2); Myocardiocontractant (f; PH2); Negative Chronotropic (f; PH2); Poison (1; FNF); Positive Inotropic (f; PH2) Indications (Wooly Digitalis) — Abscess (f; PHR; PH2); Adenopathy (f; JLH); Asthma (f; CRC); Boil (f; PHR; PH2); Burn (f; WOI); Cancer, abdomen (f; JLH); Cancer, breast (f; JLH); Cancer, colon (f; JLH); Cancer, knee (f; JLH); Cancer, lymph (f; JLH); Cardiopathy (2; PH2); Dropsy (f; CRC; WOI); Edema (f; CRC); Enterosis (f; PH2); Epilepsy (f; CRC); Fever (f; CRC); Gastrosis (f; CRC); Headache (f; PHR; PH2); Heart (f; CRC); High Blood Pressure (f; PHR; PH2); Hydropsy (f; CRC); Icterus (f; CRC); Induration (f; CRC); Insanity (f; CRC); Migraine (f; PH2); Nephrosis (f; CRC; WOI); Neuralgia (f; CRC); Palpitation (f; CRC); Paralysis (f; PHR; PH2); Scrofula (f; CRC); Sore Throat (f; CRC); Swelling (f; JLH); Tumor (f; CRC); Ulcer (f; PHR; PH2); Water Retention (1; PH2); Wound (f; PHR; PH2; WOI) Dosages (Wooly Digitalis) — Prescription only (JAD) Rapid digitalization dose 0.75 mg digoxin; maintenance dose 0.25–0.75 mg/day orl human (WOI) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Wooly Digitalis) — Not covered (AHP) Should be classified as a drug only, requiring registration and prescription (AEH; JAD) Why repeat; use with arrhythmogenic drugs (methylxanthines, phosphodiesterase inhibitors (including, I suppose, Viagra), quinidine, sympathomimetics) increases risk of arrhythmia (PH2) Long-term dosage is potentially gynecomastic Overdoses may cause anorexia, confusion, depression, diarrhea, gastric hypertonia, hallucination, headache, psychosis, stupor, tachycardia, and vomiting Lethal doses (2–3 g leaf in humans) induce asphyxiation or heart failure (PH2) Both the leaf and pure glycosides are contraindicated in carotid sinus syndrome, first and second degree AV-block, hypercalcemia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hypokalemia, thoracic aortic aneurism, ventricular tachycardia, or WPW Syndrome (PH2) Wooly foxglove packs three times the biological punch of purple foxglove The Wealth of India states that this species is the only source of digoxin, which is ~300 times more potent than prepared purple digitalis leaf WORMGRASS (Spigelia anthelmia L.) X The Herbal PDR mentions wormwood grass as a selected common name; bad selection; earlier names in Europe and America were American Wormgrass or Wormroot, not Wormwood European Floras and EFS, e.g., have tended to mix the North American S marilandica (L.) L with the more tropical American S anthelmia L W Activities (Wormgrass) — Antifeedant (1; X10552828); Cardiac (f; EFS); Cardiotonic (1; EFS; HH2; X11382246); Hypertensive (1; HH2; PH2); Positive Inotropic (f; HH2; PH2); Poison (f; PH2; X11382246); Narcotic (f; EFS; FEL); Sedative (f; EFS); Soporific (f; EFS); Tonic (f; EFS); Toxic (f; EFS); Vermifuge (1; HH2; MAD; PH2) Indications (Wormgrass) — Angina (f; PH2); Ascaride (f; MAD); Cardiopathy (f; FEL; MAD; PH2); Cough (f; MAD); Endocardosis (f; FEL; MAD); Gout (f; MAD); Headache (f; MAD; PH2); Inflammation (f; PH2); Insomnia (f; EFS); Low Blood Pressure (1; HH2; PH2); Migraine (f; MAD); Myocardosis (f; MAD); Nervousness (f; EFS); Neuralgia (f; FEL; MAD; PH2); Neurosis (f; MAD); Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 797 Pain (f; MAD; PH2); Palpitation (f; FEL); Pericardosis (f; MAD); Photophobia (f; MAD); Pinworm (1; MAD); Rheumatism (f; MAD); Roundworm (1; GMH); Scrofula (f; MAD); Tachycardia (f; MAD); Tapeworm (f; GMH); Tophus (f; MAD); Worm (1; HH2; MAD; PH2) Dosages (Wormgrass) — Don’t take it (JAD) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Wormgrass) — Not covered (AHP; APA; KOM) Large quantities of the drug may induce dyspnea, myositis, spasms, and vomiting (PH2) Wormgrass has been used for poisoning humans; the toxic effects are similar to those of strychnine (CRC) Side effects of S marilandica include increased heart action, vertigo, convulsions, and possibly death (FAD) WORMSEED (Chenopodium ambrosioides L.) + Synonyms: C ambrosioides var anthelminticum (L.) A Gray, C anthelminticum L Activities (Wormseed) — Abortifacient (f; CRC; PH2; WBB; ZUL); Amebicide (1; CRC; MPG); Analgesic (1; CRC; TRA); Antiasthmatic (f; PH2); Antibacterial (1; TRA); Antifeedant (f; ZUL); Antimalarial (1; TRA); Antipyretic (f; DEM); Antiseptic (1; ZUL; 60P); Antispasmodic (f; CRC; WBB; ZUL; 60P); Antitussive (f; CRC); Antiulcer (1; MPG; TRA; 60P); Apifuge (1; ZUL); Ascaricide (1; AAB; CRC); Carcinogenic (1; AAB; TRA); Cardiodepressant (1; MPG; TRA); Cardiotonic (f; ZUL); Carminative (1; CRC; DAV; FAD); Contraceptive (f; DAV); Decongestant (f; DAV); Diaphoretic (f; CRC; WBB; ZUL); Diuretic (f; CRC); Emmenagogue (f; CRC; DEM; JFM); Fungicide (1; AAB; TRA; 60P); Hypotensive (1; TRA; 60P); Insecticide (1; CRC; TRA); Lactagogue (f; CRC); Laxative (f; DAV); Myorelaxant (1; MPG; TRA; 60P); Narcotic (f; CRC); Nervine (f; CRC); Panacea (f; DEM); Paralytic (1; PHR); Poison (1; CRC; JFM); Protisticide (1; TRA); Respirastimulant (1; MPG; TRA); Sedative (f; AAB); Snake Repellent (f; ZIM; ZUL); Spasmogenic (1; PHR); Stimulant (f; CRC; PH2); Stomachic (f; CRC; HHB; JFM; ZIM); Tonic (f; CRC; DEM; HHB); Vermifuge (2; FAD; PHR; PNC; TRA; ZUL; 60P) Indications (Wormseed) — Ameba (2; CRC; FAD; IED; MPG); Amenorrhea (f; CRC); Anemia (f; CRC; ZUL); Appendicitis (f; CRC; JFM); Arthrosis (f; CRC; DAV); Ascaris (1; AAB; CRC); Asthma (f; IED; MPG; PH2; 60P); Bacteria (1; TRA); Bite (f; CRC; JFM; MPG); Bleeding (f; PH2); Bruise (f; JFM); Burn (f; JFM); Cancer (f; JLH); Cancer, eye (f; JLH); Cancer, uterus (f; JLH); Chest Ache (f; DEM; ZIM); Childbirth (f; CRC; JFM); Chorea (f; JFM); Cholera (f; DAV); Cold (f; ZUL); Colic (f; CRC; MPG; ZUL); Congestion (f; DAV); Constipation (f; DAV); Convulsion (f; VAG; ZIM; ZUL); Cough (f; MPG; ZUL); Cramp (f; CRC; DAV; PH2; WBB; ZUL; 60P); Delirium (f; ZIM); Depurative (f; DAV); Dermatophyte (f; CRC); Dermatosis (f; CRC; DAV; MPG; 60P); Diarrhea (f; TRA); Dislocation (f; JFM); Dysentery (f; CRC); Dysmenorrhea (f; CRC; MPG); Dyspepsia (1; CRC; DAV; JFM); Dyspnea (f; CRC; JFM); Dysuria (f; JFM); Eczema (f; PH2; ZUL); Enterosis (f; CRC); Erysipelas (f; HHB; ZUL); Fatigue (f; CRC); Fever (f; CRC; DEM; VAG; WBB; ZIM; ZUL); Flu (f; DAV); Fracture (f; JFM); Fungus (1; AAB; CRC; TRA; 60P); Gas (1; CRC; DAV; FAD; FNF; JFM); Gastrosis (1; DEM; TRA); Gonorrhea (f; DEM); Gout (f; DAV); Hangover (f; AAB); Headache (f; DEM); Hemorrhoid (f; DAV; MPG; 60P); Hepatosis (f; TRA); High Blood Pressure (1; MPG; TRA; 60P); Hookworm (2; CRC; FAD); Hysteria (f; DAV); Induration (f; JLH); Infection (1; AAB; TRA; ZUL; 60P); Inflammation (f; MPG; 60P); Insanity (f; VAG); Insomnia (f; AAB; ZUL); Laryngosis (f; DAV); Laziness (f; DEM); Leprosy (f; ZUL); Madness (f; ZIM; ZUL); Malaria (1; MPG; TRA; 60P); Measles (f; CRC; JFM; ZUL); Metrorrhagia (f; PH2); Mycosis (1; AAB; CRC; TRA; 60P); Nephrosis (f; 60P); Nervousness (f; AAB; DEM); Neurosis (f; CRC; MPG; ZUL); Ophthalmia (f; JLH); Pain (1; CRC; TRA; VAG; ZUL); Palpitation (f; CRC; JFM); Paralysis (f; PH2); Parasite (1; AAB; HHB; JFM; TRA); Proctorrhagia (f; CRC; JFM); Puerperium (f; CRC); Rheumatism (f; CRC; DEM; PH2); Roundworm (2; CRC; FAD; PHR); Smallpox (f; ZUL); Sore (f; CRC; TRA); Splenomegaly (f; ZUL); Sting (f; MPG); Stomachache W ... MAD); Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 797 Pain (f; MAD; PH2); Palpitation (f; FEL); Pericardosis (f; MAD); Photophobia (f; MAD); Pinworm (1; MAD); Rheumatism (f; MAD); Roundworm (1; GMH); Scrofula... headache (AHP) None known for proper dosages (PHR) High dosages may cause dizziness, Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 795 headache, nausea, and stupor (APA; PHR) Long-term consumption may damage idiosyncratic... Others suggest sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella), which is in the Essiac formula W 796 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Wood Sorrel) — Not covered (AHP)