798 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs (f; DAV; TRA; ZUL; 60P); Swelling (f; DEM); Tapeworm (2; FAD; PHR); Toothache (f; CRC; DEM; JFM); Tuberculosis (f; DAV); Tumor (f; CRC; DAV); Ulcer (1; MPG; TRA; ZUL; 60P); Uterosis (1; VAG; ZIM; ZUL); VD (f; DEM); Water Retention (f; CRC); Worm (2; CRC; DEM; FAD; PHR; PNC; TRA; ZUL; 60P) Dosages (Wormseed) — g seed (HHB); 1–4 g powdered seed (PNC); 2–4 ml liquid seed extract (PNC); adult dosage: 20 drops wormseed oil in the morning, on empty stomach, followed by purgative in hours (PH2); pediatric dose: drop wormseed oil for each year of age, repeat in hour, doses/day (PH2); 0.03–0.1 g fresh shoots/kg/day, no more than days, no more often than once every months (TRA) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Wormseed) — Not covered in AHP or KOM Overdose can cause convulsions, dizziness, headache, vomiting, even death (PNC) PHR cites “cases of death following intake of 10 mg of the oil (much less for children)” (PHR) Even therapeutic dosages can cause CNS disturbances (e.g., pachymeningitis hemorrhagica, signs of paralysis, and spasms) Damaged nervus cochlearis may lead to tinnitus and hearing impairment (lasting for years) (PHR) Contact allergen (FAD) Foster suffered vertigo after harvest (FAD) Though alleged to prevent gas, wormseed oil is said to be explosive (PHR) Reading the warnings tempted me to score this XXX for safety, but I have used it many times as a precarminative in bean soup WORMWOOD (Artemisia absinthium L.) + W Activities (Wormwood) — Abortifacient (f; CRC); Analgesic (f; PNC); Antibacterial (1; APA; WO2); Antiinflammatory (1; PNC); Antipyretic (1; CRC; PH2); Antiseptic (1; APA; CRC; PNC); Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 799 Antispasmodic (1; APA; PNC); Aperitif (2; BIS; FAD; KOM); Bitter (2; APA; KOM; SHT); Cardiotonic (f; PNC); Carminative (1; PNC); Cholagogue (1; PH2); Choleretic (1; PNC); CNS Depressant (1; APA); Deobstruent (f; CRC); Depurative (f; CRC); Diaphoretic (1; APA; CRC); Digestive (1; APA; SKY; WO2); Discutient (f; CRC); Emmenagogue (1; APA; PNC); Filaricide (1; CRC); Fungicide (1; WO2); Gastrogogue (KOM; SKJ); Hepatoprotective (1; APA); Insecticide (1; APA); Insectifuge (1; CRC); Lactagogue (f; CRC); Narcotic (1; WO2); Plasmodistat (1; PH2); Poison (f; WO2); Pulicide (1; CRC); Secretagogue (1; PH2); Sedative (f; APA); Sialagogue (2; SHT); Stimulant (f; WO2); Stomachic (f; APA); Tonic (f; APA; PNC); Vermifuge (1; CRC; PNC); Vulnerary (1; PH2) Indications (Wormwood) — Amenorrhea (f; APA; FAD); Anemia (f; PHR); Anorexia (2; APA; BIS; FAD; KOM; SKY); Arthrosis (f; CRC); Atonia (f; PHR); Bacteria (1; APA; WO2); Biliary Dyskinesia (2; APA; KOM); Bruise (f; CRC); Bug Bite (f; PHR); Callus (f; JLH); Cancer (f; CRC); Cancer, breast (f; JLH); Cancer, face (f; JLH); Cancer, foot (f; JLH); Cancer, groin (f; JLH); Cancer, larynx (f; JLH); Cancer, liver (f; JLH); Cancer, limb (f; JLH); Cancer, sinus (f; JLH); Cancer, spleen (f; JLH); Cancer, stomach (f; JLH); Cancer, testes (f; JLH); Cancer, tongue (f; JLH); Cancer, uterus (f; JLH); Chest Cold (f; DEM); Childbirth (f; DEM); Cholecystosis (2; FAD; PHR; SKY); Cold (f; PNC); Colic (1; APA); Corn (f; JLH); Cramp (1; APA; PNC); Dermatosis (f; PHR); Diarrhea (f; CRC); Dropsy (f; CRC); Dysmenorrhea (f; APA; FAD; PH2); Dyspepsia (2; CRC; KOM; SKY); Edema (f; JLH); Enterosis (f; JLH); Fever (1; APA; CRC; FAD; PHR; PH2); Flu (f; DEM); Fracture (f; DEM); Fungus (1; WO2); Gas (1; APA; PNC); Gastrosis (f; BIS; DEM); Gout (f; CRC); Gravel (f; CRC); Head Cold (f; DEM); Hepatosis (2; APA; FAD; PHR; PNC); IBS (SKY); Induration (f; CRC; JLH); Infection (1; WO2); Inflammation (1; PNC); Insomnia (f; APA); Itch (f; CRC); Jaundice (f; CRC); Leukemia (f; JLH); Malaria (1; APA; PHR); Mycosis (1; WO2); Myosis (f; DEM); Nervousness (f; APA); Neuralgia (f; CRC); Orchosis (f; CRC); Pain (1; CRC; PNC; WO2); Parasite (1; APA); Pinworm (1; APA); Rheumatism (f; PNC; WO2); Roundworm (1; APA); Scleroma (f; JLH); Splenosis (f; CRC; JLH); Sprain (f; CRC); Stomachache (f; PHR); Tuberculosis (f; DEM); Ulcer (f; PH2); VD (f; DEM); Worm (1; APA; CRC; FAD; PNC); Wound (f; PHR) Dosages (Wormwood) — Up to 1.5 g dry herb in tea (1 tsp = 1.5 g) 2–3 ×/day (AHP); 1–2 g dry herb (PNC); tsp herb/cup water 1–3 ×/day, before or after meals (APA; SKY); 2–3 g herb/day (KOM); 3–5 g herb (PHR); 1–2 ml liquid herb extract (APA; PNC); 4–16 ml herb tincture (APA; PNC); 10–20 drops herb tincture in water ×/day, before meals (SKY) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Wormwood) — Class 2b, 2d (AHP) Emmenagogue and uterotonic Not for prolonged use Do not exceed recommended dose (AHP) Do not use more than consecutive weeks (SKY) None known (KOM) Contraindications of GI ulcer Beware of the toxicity of high doses (AEH) Side effects due to thujone overdose include brain damage, convulsions, even death; insomnia, intestinal cramps, nausea, renal damage (rare), restlessness, seizures, stomach cramps, tremors, urine retention, vertigo, and vomiting (BIS; SKY) CAN cautions that thujone in the various volatile oils can cause severe gastrosis and convulsions Documented fatalities have been mainly associated with ingestion of some such oils (but fatalities are reported with infusions and powders) Such oils should not be used internally or externally Because of abortifacient and uterine activity caused by the thujone in such oils, their use in pregnancy and lactation is to be avoided (CAN) Extracts (Wormwood) — Aqueous extracts contain little thujone (BIS) All phytochemicals have their good and bad sides, safe and toxic doses; thujone is pretty negative Some edible sages contain more thujone than some artemisias Absinthin and anabsinthin stimulate digestion (SKY) EO may kill worms but also damage the nerves (SKY) W 800 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs WOUNDWORT (Stachys palustris L.) + Activities (Woundwort) — Antiseptic (f; EFS; WOI); Antispasmodic (f; WOI); Emetic (f; WOI); Emmenagogue (f; EFS; WOI); Expectorant (f; WOI); Hemostat (f; WOI); Sedative (f; EFS; WOI); Vulnerary (f; EFS) Indications (Woundwort) — Amenorrhea (f; EFS); Arthrosis (f; WOI); Bleeding (f; WOI); Colic (f; DEM); Cramp (f; WOI); Dysentery (f; WOI); Dysmenorrhea (f; HHB); Epilepsy (f; WOI); Fever (f; HHB); Gout (f; WOI); Insomnia (f; EFS; WOI); Nervousness (f; EFS; WOI); Pain (f; PH2; WOI); Uterosis (f; HHB); VD (f; DEM); Vertigo (f; WOI); Wound (f; WOI) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Woundwort) — Not covered (AHP; KOM) None reported (PH2) Root edible (HHB) W Y YARROW, MILFOIL (Achillea millefolium L.) ++ Synonyms: A borealis Bong., A lanulosa Nutt., A magna auct., A millefolium subsp borealis (Bong.) Breitung, A millefolium subsp lanulosa (Nutt.) Piper, A millefolium var occidentale DC Activities (Yarrow) — Abortifacient (f; CRC); Analgesic (1; APA; CRC); Antibacterial (2; APA; KOM; PIP); Antiedemic (1; APA; CAN; PH2); Antiinflammatory (1; APA; PH2; PNC; WAM); Antiperspirant (f; PHR); Antipyretic (1; BGB; CRC; PNC); Antiseptic (2; APA; BGB; KOM); Antispasmodic (2; BGB; KOM; SHT); Antiviral (f; CRC); Aperitif (2; APA; KOM); Astringent (2; KOM; SHT); Carminative (f; PED); Cholagogue (1; BGB; PH2); Choleretic (2; APA; KOM; PIP); CNS Depressant (1; APA; CAN); Culicide (1; CRC); Diaphoretic (1; APA; BGB; WAM); Diuretic (1; APA; CAN; PNC); Emmenagogue (f; CRC); Expectorant (1; FAD; PED); Hemostat (2; APA; CAN; WAM); Hypoglycemic (f; PED); Hypotensive (1; BGB; CRC; PNC); Insecticide (1; CRC); Laxative (f; CRC); Sedative (1; APA; CRC); Stimulant (f; CRC; PED); Swelling (1; APA; CAN; PH2); Urinary Antiseptic (1; CAN); Vermifuge (f; CRC) Indications (Yarrow) — Alopecia (f; CRC); Amenorrhea (PNC); Anorexia (2; APA; KOM; PIP; PH2); Arthrosis (1; APA); Backache (1; APA); Bacteria (2; APA; CRC; KOM; PIP); Bleeding (2; APA; CAN; FAD; FNF; PHR; WAM); Burn (1; APA); Cancer (f; CRC; JLH); Cancer, breast (f; JLH); Cancer, foot (f; JLH); Cancer, liver (f; JLH); Cancer, penis (f; JLH); Cancer, spleen (f; JLH); 801 Y 802 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs Cancer, uterus (f; JLH); Catarrh (1; BGB; PNC); Chickenpox (f; WAM); Cholecystosis (2; APA; PH2; PNC); Cold (1; BGB; FAD; WAM); Colic (PIP); Condylomata (f; CRC); Congestion (1; APA); Constipation (f; CRC); Convulsion (f; PH2); Cough (1; APA); Cramp (2; APA; BGB; KOM; SHT); Dermatosis (1; BGB; WAM); Diarrhea (1; CRC; JAD); Dysmenorrhea (2; APA; KOM; SHT); Dyspepsia (2; APA; KOM; PH2; PIP); Dysuria (f; CRC); Earache (f; CRC); Enterorrhagia (2; FAD); Enterosis (2; APA; BGB; FAD; KOM; PHR); Epilepsy (f; CRC); Epistaxis (1; APA); Fever (1; APA; BGB; CRC; PNC; WAM); Fistula (f; CRC); Flu (1; BGB; CRC; WAM); Gas (f; PED); Gastrosis (2; APA; BGB; FAD; KOM; PHR); Grippe (f; BGB); Headache (f; BGB; CRC); Hematoma (f; CRC); Hemorrhoid (1; CRC; FNF; PHR); Hepatosis (2; JLH; PHR; PH2); High Blood Pressure (f; APA; BGB; CRC; PNC); Hyperglycemia (f; PED); Hysteria (f; CRC); Incontinence (f; CRC); Induration (1; CRC; JLH); Infection (1; APA); Inflammation (1; APA; PHR; PH2; PNC; WAM); Insomnia (1; APA; CRC); Leukorrhea (f; CRC); Measles (f; CRC); Melancholy (f; CRC); Menorrhagia (f; CRC); Mucososis (1; APA); Nerve (f; CRC); Nervousness (1; APA; CRC); Pain (1; APA; CRC; PHR); Pleurisy (f; CRC); Poison Ivy (f; WAM); Pneumonia (f; CRC); Rash (f; APA; CRC; WAM); Respirosis (f; BGB); Rheumatism (f; CRC); Sclerosis (f; JLH); Smallpox (f; CRC); Sore Throat (f; CRC); Splenosis (f; JLH); Swelling (1; APA; CAN; PH2); Thrombosis (1; CAN); Toothache (f; CRC); Tuberculosis (f; CRC); Tumor (f; JLH); Ulcer (f; CRC); UTI (1; APA); Varicosis (f; PH2); Virus (f; CRC); Wart (f; CRC); Water Retention (1; APA; CAN; PNC); Wen (f; CRC); Worm (f; CRC); Wound (1; APA; BGB; PHR) And I wouldn’t touch this one with a ten foot tub: Painful, cramp-like conditions of psychosomatic origin in the lower part of the female pelvis, as a sitz bath (KOM; PH2) Dosages (Yarrow) — 1–2 tsp herb/cup water 3–4 ×/day (APA); 4.5 g herb (KOM); 2–4 tbsp fresh herb (PED); 3–6 g dry herb (PED); 2–4 ml liquid herb extract (PNC); 2–4 ml liquid herb extract (1:1 in 25% ethanol) ×/day (CAN); 2–4 ml herb tincture (1:5 in 45% ethanol) ×/day (CAN); 0.5–1 tsp herb tincture (APA); tsp herb juice (APA, KOM); 2–4 g flower head, or in tea, ×/day (CAN); g flower (KOM); 4.5 g dry flower:22 ml alcohol/23 ml water (PED) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Yarrow) — Class 2b Emmenagogue and uterotonic (AHP), hence contraindicated in pregnancy (PH2; WAM) “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2) Commission E reports hypersensitivity to milfoil and other Asteraceae (KOM) Other sources report hypersensitivity to sesquiterpene lactones Rare contact allergy (AEH) CAN reports that the sesquiterpene lactones are allergenic and can cause dermatosis Because the thujone in the oil is reputed to be abortifacient and to affect the menstrual cycle, its use in pregnancy and lactation is to be avoided (CAN) Contraindicated in allergies dermatosis, and epilepsy Excessive doses may interfere with or augment anticoagulant, blood pressure, diuretic, and sedative medications (CAN) YAUPON (Ilex vomitoria Sol ex Aiton) + Activities (Yaupon) — Depurative (f; FAD); Diuretic (f; HHB); Emetic (1; DEM; HHB); Hallucinogen (f; DEM); Laxative (f; MAD) Indications (Yaupon) — Constipation (f; MAD); Water Retention (f; HHB) Y Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Yaupon) — Not covered (AHP; KOM; PH2) Warning: Many hollies are considered potentially toxic (FAD) MATÉ: Class 2d CNS stimulant Not recommended for excess or prolonged use (they seem to say this about most caffeine-containing plants) (AHP, speaking of maté, however, and not yaupon) CAN cautions that xanthine-containing beverages may cause anxiety, insomnia, palpitations, tremors, and withdrawal headaches Because of the caffeine, consumption should be restricted in pregnancy and lactation, and in patients with hypertension and cardiac problems “As with all xanthine-containing beverages, excessive consumption by lactating mothers should be avoided.” “Caffeine is excreted in breast milk, but at .. .Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 799 Antispasmodic (1; APA; PNC); Aperitif (2; BIS; FAD; KOM); Bitter (2; APA; KOM;... anabsinthin stimulate digestion (SKY) EO may kill worms but also damage the nerves (SKY) W 800 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs WOUNDWORT (Stachys palustris L.) + Activities (Woundwort) — Antiseptic (f; EFS;... JLH); Cancer, liver (f; JLH); Cancer, penis (f; JLH); Cancer, spleen (f; JLH); 801 Y 802 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs Cancer, uterus (f; JLH); Catarrh (1; BGB; PNC); Chickenpox (f; WAM); Cholecystosis