Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 543 OREGANO (Origanum vulgare L.) +++ Activities (Oregano) — Analgesic (1; APA); Antialzheimeran (1; COX; FNF); Antiarthritic (1; COX; FNF); Antibacterial (1; TAD); Anticancer (1; COX; FNF); Antiinflammatory (1; COX; FNF; PH2); Antimutagenic (f; TAD); Antioxidant (1; JAD; TAD); Antipyretic (1; APA); Antiseptic (f; PH2); Antispasmodic (1; APA; MAD; PIP); Carminative (f; EFS); Choleretic (1; APA; MAD; RIN); COX-2 Inhibitor (1; COX; FNF); Decongestant (f; APA); Diaphoretic (1; APA; EFS; MAD; PH2; PIP); Digestive (1; APA); Diuretic (1; MAD; PIP); Emmenagogue (f; APA; MAD); Expectorant (1; APA; PHR; PH2; PIP); Fungicide (1; APA; TAD); Laxative (f; EFS); Narcotic (f; MAD); Nervine (f; EFS); Orexigenic (1; APA); Pectoral (f; EFS); Propecic (f; MAD); Sedative (1; APA; PHR; PIP); Stimulant (f; FEL); Stomachic (f; EFS); Tonic (f; EFS; MAD); Vermicide (1; APA) Indications (Oregano) — Alzheimer’s (1; COX; FNF); Amenorrhea (f; MAD); Anorexia (f; KOM; MAD); Arthrosis (1; APA; COX; FNF; PHR; PH2); Asthma (f; MAD); Bacteria (1; FNF; TAD); Bronchosis (1; PHR; PH2); Bruise (f; MAD); Cancer (1; COX; FNF; TAD); Cancer, breast (1; COX; JLH); Cancer, gum (1; COX; JLH); Cancer, liver (1; COX; JLH); Cancer, mouth (1; COX; JLH); Cancer, nose (1; COX; JLH); Cancer, penis (1; COX; JLH); Cancer, throat (1; COX; JLH); Cancer, uterus (1; COX; JLH); Cancer, vulva (1; COX; JLH); Caries (f; MAD); Catarrh (1; MAD; PHR); Childbirth (f; MAD); Cold (f; MAD; PH2); Congestion (f; APA); Constipation (f; EFS); Cough (1; MAD; PHR; PH2); Cramp (1; APA; MAD; PIP); Diarrhea (f; APA); Diphtheria (f; MAD); Dysentery (f; PH2); Dysmenorrhea (f; MAD; PHR; PH2); Dyspepsia (1; APA; MAD; PHR; PH2); Dyspnea (f; MAD); Enterosis (f; KOM); Epilepsy (f; MAD); Erotomania (f; MAD); Fever (1; APA; EFS; MAD; PH2; PIP); Fibroid (f; JLH); Fungus (1; APA; TAD); Gas (f; KOM); Gastrosis (f; KOM; MAD); Gingivosis (f; JLH); Headache (f; APA; MAD); Hemorrhoid (f; MAD); Hepatosis (f; MAD); Hysteria (f; MAD); Impotence (f; PH2); Incontinence (f; MAD); Induration (f; JLH); Infection (1; APA; TAD); Inflammation (1; COX; FNF; PH2); Insomnia (1; APA; PHR; PIP); Itch (f; APA); Jaundice (f; APA; MAD; PH2); Mastosis (f; JLH); Mycosis (1; APA; FNF; TAD); Nausea (f; PH2); Nervousness (1; APA; PHR; PIP); Neuralgia (f; APA); Neurosis (f; MAD); Nymphomania (f; MAD); Onany (f; MAD); Pain (1; APA); Phthisis (f; MAD); Polyp (f; JLH); Respirosis (1; APA; MAD; PH2); Rheumatism (f; MAD; PHR; PH2); Rhinosis (f; JLH); Scrofula (f; MAD; PHR; PH2); Stomachache (1; APA; MAD); Stomatosis (1; APA); Tinnitus (f; MAD); Toothache (f; APA); Tuberculosis (f; MAD); Uterosis (f; JLH); UTI (f; PHR; PH2); Vomiting (f; PH2); Worm (1; APA; MAD) O 544 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs Dosages (Oregano) — 1–2 tsp dry leaf/cup water to ×/day (APA); 2–3 tsp (4–6 g) leaf in tea/day (MAD); tsp herb/250 ml water (PHR); foot bath for amenorrhea (MAD) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Oregano) — Class (AHP) “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2) Good source of COX-2 inhibiting oleanolic acid at ~0.5% (COX) Rich source of antioxidant activity and rosmarinic acid OREGON GRAPE (Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt.) + Synonyms: Berberis aquifolium Pursh, B diversifolia (Sweet) Steud., Mahonia diversifolia Sweet Activities (Oregon Grape) — Alterative (f; CRC; FEL; HHB; MAD); Amebicide (1; CRC); Anaphrodisiac (f; CRC); Antialzheimeran (1; COX; FNF); Antiarthritic (1; COX; FNF); Antibacterial (1; DEM; FNF; WAM); Antibilious (f; CRC); Anticancer (1; COX; FNF); Anticonvulsant (1; CRC); Antihelicobacter (1; X9781854); Antiinflammatory (1; COX; FNF); Antioxidant (1; APA); Antiperistaltic (1; FNF); Antiprolific (1; PHR); Antipsoriatic (1; PHR; PH2); Antipyretic (f; CRC); Antiseptic (1; DEM; CRC; FNF); Antitrypanosomic (1; CRC); Antiulcer (1; X9781854); Aquaretic (f; SHT); Bitter (1; PH2); Carminative (f; CRC); Cholagogue (f; CRC); Choleretic (1; CRC); Collyrium (1; DEM; FNF); COX-2 Inhibitor (1; COX; FNF); Depurative (f; APA; CRC; DEM); Digestive (1; WAM); Diuretic (f; APA; CRC); Expectorant (f; CRC); Fungicide (1; APA); Hepatotonic (1; WAM); Hypotensive (1; CRC); Laxative (f; CRC); MDR Inhibitor (1; FNF; JAD); Mutagenic (1; PH2); Orexigenic (f; CRC; PH2); Parasiticide (1; WAM); Sedative (1; CRC); Tonic (f; APA; CRC; DEM; FEL; PH2); Uterotonic (1; CRC) O Indications (Oregon Grape) — Acne (f; APA; MAD); Alzheimer’s (1; COX; FNF); Ameba (1; CRC); Anemia (f; FEL); Anorexia (1; CRC); Arthrosis (1; COX; DEM; FNF); Bacteria (1; CRC; DEM; FNF; WAM); Bleeding (1; DEM; FNF); Bronchosis (f; CRC; FEL; PH2); Bronchorrhea (f; FEL); Bruise (f; APA); Burn (f; HHB); Cachexia (f; FEL); Cancer (1; COX; FNF); Catarrh (f; FEL); Cholecystosis (f; CRC; MAD; PH2); Cirrhosis (f; FEL); Cold (1; WAM); Congestion (f; CRC); Constipation (f; APA; CRC; FEL); Convulsion (1; CRC); Cough (1; APA; WAM); Dandruff (1; PHR); Dermatosis (1; APA; FEL; MAD; PHR; PH2); Diarrhea (f; CRC; HHB; MAD); Dyscrasia (f; FEL); Dysentery (f; MAD); Dyspepsia (1; CRC; DEM; FNF; HHB; PH2); Dysuria (f; CRC; MAD); Eczema (1; APA; CRC; FEL; PH2; WAM); Enterosis (1; FEL; MAD; WAM); Erysipelas (f; FEL); Fever (f; CRC; MAD); Fungus (1; APA); Gallstone (f; CRC; HHB); Gastrosis (f; FEL; PH2); Gout (f; CRC; MAD); Gravel (f; CRC); Helicobacter (1; X9781854); Hepatosis (1; APA; CRC; PH2); Herpes (f; CRC; FEL; MAD); High Blood Pressure (1; CRC); Infection (1; APA; CRC; WAM); Inflammation (1; COX; FNF); Insomnia (1; CRC); Jaundice (f; APA); Kidney Stone (f; MAD); Leukorrhea (f; CRC); Leishmaniasis (1; CRC; FNF); Malaria (1; CRC); Myalgia (f; FEL); Mycosis (1; APA); Nephrosis (f; APA; DEM); Nervousness (1; CRC); Neuralgia (f; MAD); Ophthalmia (1; DEM; FNF); Pain (f; FEL; MAD); Parasite (1; WAM); Periosteosis (f; FEL); Phthisis (f; FEL); Pityriasis (f; FEL); Psoriasis (1; APA; CRC; FEL; HHB; MAD; PHR; PH2); Pulmonosis (1; WAM); Rash (f; PH2); Rheumatism (1; CRC; COX; MAD); Rhinosis (1; WAM); Scrofula (f; FEL); Sinusosis (1; WAM); Sore (f; FEL; HHB); Sore Throat (1; DEM; FNF); Stomatosis (f; FEL); Stone (f; SHT); Syphilis (1; CRC; DEM; FEL; FNF; MAD); Trachoma (f; CRC); Tuberculosis (1; DEM; FEL; FNF); Typhoid (f; MAD); Ulcer (1; APA; X9781854); Uterosis (f; CRC); UTI (SHT); Vaginosis (1; CRC); VD (1; CRC; FEL; MAD); Yellow Fever (1; DEM; FNF); Wound (f; APA) Dosages (Oregon Grape) — 0.5 tsp root bark/cup water ×/day (APA); g root bark (HHB); 1–2 ml liquid root extract (APA; PNC); 10–20 drops fluid extract/3–4 hours (FEL); 0.3–1.5 g fluid extract (MAD); 0.6–3.75 g tincture (MAD) Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 545 Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Oregon Grape) — Class 2b Canada requires bilingual warning against use during pregnancy (AHP) “Not allowed as a non-medicinal ingredient in oral use products in Canada” (Michols, 1995) “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2) If Barney is right in saying that “goldenseal should not be taken for long periods of time,” I suspect that the same would be true for those herbs containing similar compounds, such as barberry, goldthread, oregon grape, and yellow root (Barney, 1996) Therefore, I have lowered their safety ratings to one + “Large doses of berberine can cause fatal poisoning” (CRC) White and Mavor preclude use in children under year old, or during pregnancy (WAM) An alternative source of the COX-2 inhibitor, berberine (COX; FNF) Recently shown to contain a pump-efflux inhibitor, 5'-methoxyhydnocarpin (5'-MHC) synergistic with antiseptic alkaloids ORIENTAL ARBORVITAE (Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco) + Synonyms: Biota orientalis, Retinispora juniperoides Carriere, Thuja orientalis L., Thuja orientalis f juniperoides (Carriere) Asch & Graebn., T orientalis var aurea (Carriere) Rehder Activities (Oriental Arborvitae) — Allergenic (1; WOI); Antipyretic (f; LMP; WOI); Aphrodisiac (f; LMP); Astringent (f; LMP); Cicatrizant (f; DAA); Diuretic (f; WOI); Emmenagogue (f; LMP); Hemostat (f; LMP; PH2); Orexigenic (f; LMP); Propecic (f; PH2); Stomachic (f; LMP); Tonic (f; LMP; WOI); Toxic (1; PH2) Indications (Oriental Arborvitae) — Alopecia (f; PH2); Amnesia (f; DAA); Anorexia (f; LMP); Apprehension (f; DAA); Asthma (f; DAA); Bleeding (f; LMP; PH2); Bronchosis (f; DAA); Burn (f; DAA); Cancer (f; JLH; LMP); Carcinoma (f; JLH); Cardiopathy (f; LMP); Cold (f; LMP); Constipation (f; DAA); Convulsion (f; DAA); Cough (f; LMP; PH2); Dermatosis (f; LMP); Duodenosis (f; LMP); Dysentery (f; LMP; PH2); Dysmenorrhea (f; DAA); Epistaxis (f; PH2); Fever (f; LMP; WOI); Gastrosis (f; LMP); Gonorrhea (f; LMP); Gray Hair (f; HH2); Headache (f; HH2); Hematuria (f; PH2); Hemoptysis (f; PH2); Hepatosis (f; LMP); Hysteria (f; LMP); Insomnia (f; HH2); Metrorrhagia (f; HH2); Nausea (f; LMP); Neurasthenia (f; DAA); Neurosis (f; HH2); Pain (f; LMP); Palpitation (f; LMP); Parasite (f; LMP); Respirosis (f; LMP); Rheumatism (f; LMP); Spermatorrhea (f; DAA); Ulcer (f; LMP); Uterosis (f; HH2); VD (f; LMP); Vomiting (f; HH2); Wound (f; DAA) Dosages (Oriental Arborvitae) — 3–9 g leaf (HH2); 3–18 g leaf (PH2) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Oriental Arborvitae) — Not covered (AHP) “Health hazards not known with proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2) But PH2 suggests the dose of 3–18 g, rather high for an herb they describe as “severely toxic.” If they are correct in their calculations, the herb would contain only 240 ppm thujone, much less than sage, for example ORIENTAL BITTERSWEET (Celastrus paniculatus Willd.) X Synonym: C dependens Wall Activities (Oriental Bittersweet) — Abortifacient (f; KAP; WOI); Analgesic (1; JE42:193); Antiaging (f; PM8:125); Antibacterial (1; WO2); Anticonvulsant (1; KAP); Antidote, opium (f; LMP); Antiemetic (1; WO2); Antifertility (1; JE28:293); Antiinflammatory (1; WO2; JE42:193); Antioxidant (1; PM8:125); Antipyretic (1; WO2); Antispasmodic (1; KAP); Antispermatogenic (1; JE28:293); Antistress (1; WO2); Antiulcer (1; WO2); Antiviral (1; KAP); Aphrodisiac (f; DEP); Cardiodepressant (1; MPI; WO2); Cerebrotonic (f; KAB; PM8:125); Depurative (f; KAB); Diaphoretic (f; DEP; KAB; WO2); Diuretic (f; DEP); Emetic (f; WO2); Emmenagogue (f; KAB; WO2); Expectorant (f; KAB); Hypokinetic (1; MPI); Hypotensive (1; MPI; WO2); Immunomodulator (f; PM8:125); Insectifuge (1; WO2); Memorigenic (f; KAB; WO2); Nervine (f; DEP; WO2); O 546 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs Neurotonic (f; LMP); Rubefacient (f; KAP); Sedative (1; MPI; WO2); Sialagogue (f; MPI); Stimulant (f; DEP; LMP); Stomachic (f; KAB); Tonic (f; KAB; WO2); Tranquilizer (1; MPI; WO2); Tremorigenic (1; MPI) Indications (Oriental Bittersweet) — Amenorrhea (f; WO2); Anemia (f; DEP); Arthrosis (f; KAB); Asthma (f; KAB); Bacteria (1; WO2); Beriberi (f; LMP; KAP); Convulsion (1; KAP); Cramp (1; KAP); Debility (f; KAB); Depression (f; WO2); Dermatosis (1; WO2); Dropsy (f; DEP); Dysentery (f; DAA; LMP; WO2); Eczema (f; WO2); Encephalosis (f; DEP; KAB); Enterosis (f; KAB); Fever (1; DEP; KAB; WO2); Fistula (f; DEP); Gastrosis (f; KAB; WO2); Gout (f; DEP; KAB; WOI); Headache (f; KAB); Hepatosis (f; KAB); High Blood Pressure (1; MPI; WO2); Impotence (f; DEP); Inflammation (1; DEP; JE42:193; WO2); Insomnia (1; MPI; WO2); Itch (1; WO2); Leprosy (f; DEP; KAP); Leukoderma (f; KAB); Malaria (f; DEP; KAB); Nervousness (1; MPI; WO2); Pain (1; DEP; KAB; WO2; JE42:193); Paralysis (f; DAA; DEP; LMP; WO2); Pneumonia (f; WO2); Rheumatism (f; DAA; KAB; LMP); Scabies (f; WO2); Senility (f; WO2); Sinusosis (f; DEP); Sore (f; KAB; WO2); Spermatorrhea (1; WO2); Stress (1; WO2); Swelling (f; WO2); Venosis (f; WO2); Ulcer (1; WO2); Virus (1; KAP); Vomiting (1; WO2); Wound (f; WO2) Dosages (Oriental Bittersweet) — 10–30 minims as diuretic (DEP); 5–15 minims as diaphoretic and neurotonic (DEP); 1–3 g powdered seed (KAP); 1–2 ml seed oil (KAP); 28–56 ml seed decoction ( = 1–2 oz) (KAP) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Oriental Bittersweet) — Not covered (AHP; KOM; PH2) ORRIS (Iris spp) + O Are the irises, or the taxonomists, or me screwed up? In a rare show of bravery, Steinmetz (EFS) covers six species of Iris, but then templates very repetitive entries for all six, especially the two I treat as orris, almost identical in EFS More modern writers tend to aggregate some of these that are also called, colloquially, “orris.” The USDA accepts I pallida Lam as orris, but also has listed Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 547 I x germanica L as orris-root I have added only credible entries for I florentina and I pallida below, including JLH Unlike the Herbal PDR, I maintain that Iris versicolor L., the blue flag, is a distinct species (which see) Activities (Orris) — Antibacterial (1; HHB); Antiserotonin (1; PH2); Antispasmodic (1; PH2); Antiulcer (1; PH2); cAMP-Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor (1; PH2); Cholagogue (f; EFS); Diuretic (1; EFS; HHB); Expectorant (1; HHB; PH2); Laxative (f; EFS) Indications (Orris) — Adenopathy (f; JLH); Bacteria (1; HHB); Callus (f; JLH); Cancer (f; JLH); Cancer, abdomen (f; JLH); Cancer, breast (f; JLH); Cancer, colon (f; JLH); Cancer, gum (f; JLH); Cancer, spleen (f; JLH); Cancer, uterus (f; JLH); Colic (f; HHB); Condylomata (f; JLH); Constipation (f; EFS); Cramp (1; PH2); Dentition (f; EFS); Dyspepsia (1; PH2); Enterosis (f; JLH); Fibroid (f; JLH); Gastrosis (f; JLH); Gingivosis (f; JLH); Halitosis (f; EFS); Headache (f; PH2); Hepatosis (f; JLH); Induration (f; JLH); Infection (1; HHB); Mastosis (f; JLH); Migraine (f; HHB); Parotosis (f; JLH); Polyp (f; JLH); Respirosis (1; PH2); Rhinosis (f; JLH); Splenosis (f; JLH); Swelling (f; JLH); Thyrosis (f; PH2); Ulcer (1; PH2); Uterosis (f; JLH); Water Retention (f; HHB) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Orris) — Class May irritate mucosa (AHP) “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2) (but PH2 designates no specific quantified dosage! JAD) OXEYE DAISY (Leucanthemum vulgare Lam.) ++ Synonym: Chrysanthemum leucanthemum L Activities (Oxeye Daisy) — Allergenic (1; PH2); Antiinflammatory (1; FAD); Antipyretic (f; DEM); Antisecretory (1; WO2); Antispasmodic (1; FAD; PH2; WO2); Collyrium (f; DEM; FAD); Dermatitigenic (1; WO2); Diuretic (f; PH2; WO2); Emetic (1; WO2); Tonic (f; DEM; FAD; PH2; WO2) Indications (Oxeye Daisy) — Anxiety (f; PH2); Asthma (f; PH2; WO2); Bleeding (f; PH2; WO2); Cancer (f; JLH; WO2); Catarrh (f; WO2); Chafing (1; FAD); Cramp (1; FAD; PH2; WO2); Debility (f; WO2); Dermatosis (f; PH2; WO2); Dysmenorrhea (f; FAD); Epistaxis (f; PH2); Fever (f; DEM; FAD); Inflammation (1; FAD); Jaundice (f; WO2); Leukorrhea (f; WO2); Metrorrhagia (f; HHB; WO2); Migraine (1; FNF); Neurosis (f; PH2); Night Sweats (f; FAD); Ophthalmia (f; DEM); Pertussis (f; PH2; WO2); Pulmonosis (f; WO2); Rheumatism (f; WO2); Sore (f; PH2); Swelling (f; JLH); Tinea (f; WO2); Tuberculosis (f; WO2); Uterosis (f; WO2); VD (f; WO2); Wound (f; PH2; WO2) Dosages (Oxeye Daisy) — cup ×/day (PH2) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Oxeye Daisy) — Not covered (AHP) Leaves eaten as pot herb or salad (WO2) Large doses emetic (WO2) “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2) Highly dermatitigenic (PH2) Warning: May cause contact dermatosis or cross–allergic reactions with other members of the daisy family (FAD) Bigger flowered than chamomile and feverfew, this contains many of the active ingredients of both and might be considered as a poor man’s emergency substitute Containing parthenolide and four related compounds, artecanin, canin, 3-beta-hydroxyparthenolide, and secotanoparthenolide, this could conceivably be useful in migraine O ... writers tend to aggregate some of these that are also called, colloquially, “orris.” The USDA accepts I pallida Lam as orris, but also has listed Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 547 I x germanica L as... fluid extract/3–4 hours (FEL); 0.3–1.5 g fluid extract (MAD); 0.6–3.75 g tincture (MAD) Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 545 Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Oregon Grape) — Class 2b... PM8:125); Insectifuge (1; WO2); Memorigenic (f; KAB; WO2); Nervine (f; DEP; WO2); O 546 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs Neurotonic (f; LMP); Rubefacient (f; KAP); Sedative (1; MPI; WO2); Sialagogue (f;