Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 763 Indications (Water Hemlock) — Adenopathy (f; JLH); Arthrosis (f; DEM); Bruise (f; DEM); Cancer (f; JLH); Cancer, breast (f; JLH); Cancer, gland (f; JLH); Fracture (f; DEM); Headache (f; CRC); Induration (f; JLH); Inflammation (f; CRC); Lameness (f; DEM); Neuropathy (f; CRC; CEB); Paralysis (f; CEB); Rheumatism (f; DEM); Scrofula (f; CEB); Sore (f; CEB; DEM); Sore Throat (f; CEB); Sprain (f; CEB; CRC; DEM); Swelling (f; JLH); Tumor (f; CRC); Uterosis (f; CEB) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Water Hemlock) — “Children have been fatally poisoned by eating the roots Symptoms include frothing at the mouth, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, dilated pupils, delirium, tremors, and periodic violent convulsions alternating with brief relaxations Convulsions may be so violent that vomiting is prevented, and the tongue may be chewed up Death is due to cardiac or respiratory failure” (CRC) Too lethal to use, with poisonous compounds like in Poison Hemlock, it is highly toxic Do not confuse with edible members of the celery family (FAD) WATERLILY (Nymphaea odorata Aiton) ++ Synonyms: N maximiliani Lehm., N rosea Raf Activities (Waterlily) — Analgesic (f; EFS); Antiseptic (1; EFS; PHR; PH2); Astringent (1; EFS; HH2; PHR; PH2); Demulcent (f; EFS); Hemostat (1; FAD); Poison (f; DEM); Suppurative (f; DEM) Indications (Waterlily) — Acne (f; FAD); Adenopathy (f; DEM); Bleeding (1; FAD); Boil (f; PH2); Burn (f; PHR); Cancer (f; JLH; PH2); Cancer, uterine (f; JLH); Cold (f; DEM); Cough (f; DEM; FAD); Cystosis (f; HHB); Dermatosis (1; PH2); Diarrhea (f; PHR; PH2); Dysentery (1; PH2); Enterosis (f; FAD); Flu (f; DEM); Freckle (f; FAD); Furuncle (f; HH2; PHR); Gonorrhea (f; PH2); Infection (1; PHR; PH2); Inflammation (1; PH2); Leukorrhea (f; HH2; PH2); Nephrosis (f; HHB); Pain (f; EFS; JLH); Pharyngosis (f; HH2; PHR); Pulmonosis (f; FAD); Scrofula (f; PH2); Sore (1; DEM; PH2); Sore Throat (1; PNC); Spermatorrhea (f; HHB); Stomatosis (f; FAD; PH2); Swelling (f; DEM); Toothache (f; DEM); Tuberculosis (f; DEM; FAD); Tumor (f; PH2); Uterosis (f; JLH); Vaginosis (f; HH2; PHR; PH2); VD (f; PH2); Whitlow (f; JLH) Dosages (Waterlily) — 1–2 g in herb tea/day (HH2; PH2); 1–4 ml liquid herb extract (HH2; PHR) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Waterlily) — Not covered (AHP) None reported at proper dosages (PHR) High doses have led to animal fatalities (PHR) “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2) W 764 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs WATERMELON (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum & Nakai) +++ Activities (Watermelon) — Anticancer (1; FNF); Antioxidant (1; FNF); Antiprostatitic (1; FNF); Antipyretic (f; WO2); Antiseptic (f; BIB); Cerebrotonic (f; BIB); Chemopreventive (1; FNF); Demulcent (f; EFS; WO2); Diuretic (1; JFM; WO2); Hypocholesterolemic (1; FNF); Hypotensive (1; BIB; WO2); Laxative (f; WO2); Litholytic (1; WO2); Vermifuge (1; JFM; WO2) Indications (Watermelon) — BPH (1; FNF); Cancer (1; FNF; WO2); Catarrh (f; BIB); Constipation (f; WO2); Cystosis (1; BIB; JFM); Depression (1; BIB; FNF); Diarrhea (f; BIB; WO2); Dyspepsia (f; BIB); Dysuria (f; BIB; JLH; WO2); Fever (f; BIB; WO2); Gonorrhea (f; BIB); High Blood Pressure (1; BIB; JFM; WO2); High Cholesterol (1; FNF); Infection (f; WO2); Inflammation (f; BIB); Kidney Stone (1; WO2); Nephrosis (f; BIB; WO2); Sinusosis (f; BIB); Sore (f; BIB; WO2); Sore Throat (f; BIB); Stomatosis (f; BIB); Stone (1; WO2); Strangury (f; WO2); Roundworm (1; WO2); Tapeworm (1; WO2); Typhus (f; BIB); Vaginosis (f; BIB); VD (f; BIB); Water Retention (1; JFM; WO2); Worm (1; JFM; WO2) Dosages (Watermelon) — 5–8 g of the juice expressed from fresh seeds in cup water for worms Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Watermelon) — Not covered by AHP or KOM “Eating unripe watermelons causes serious illness, even death” (JFM) Citrin (cucurbocitrin) is hypotensive WATER MINT (Mentha aquatica L.) +++ Synonym: M palustris Mill W Called Wild Mint in PH2 Activities (Water Mint) — Anesthetic (1; FEL); Antiitch (1; FEL); Antivaginitic (1; FEL); Antitussive (1; FEL); Astringent (1; PH2; WOI); Carminative (f; EFS); Digestive (f; WOI); Emetic (f; EFS); Emmenagogue (f; EFS); Stimulant (1; EFS; PH2) Indications (Water Mint) — Adenopathy (f; JLH); Asthma (1; FEL); Bite (1; FEL); Boil (1; FEL); Bronchosis (1; FEL); Burn (1; FEL); Cancer (f; JLH); Cancer, breast (f; JLH); Cancer, gum (f; JLH); Cancer, liver (f; JLH); Cancer, parotid (f; JLH); Cancer, spleen (f; JLH); Carbuncle (1; FEL); Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 765 Catarrh (1; FEL); Condyloma (f; JLH); Coryza (1; FEL); Cough (1; FEL); Diarrhea (f; PH2); Dysmenorrhea (f; PH2); Earache (1; FEL); Eczema (1; FEL); Gall (f; WOI); Gas (f; EFS); Gastrosis (f; WOI); Gingivosis (f; JLH); Hay Fever (1; FEL); Hepatosis (f; JLH); Inflammation (1; FEL); Itch (1; FEL); Laryngosis (1; FEL); Mastosis (f; JLH); Mycosis (1; FEL); Neuralgia (1; FEL); Ozena (1; FEL); Pain (1; FEL); Parotosis (f; JLH); Pharyngosis (1; FEL); Phthisis (1; FEL); Pulmonosis (1; FEL); Ringworm (f; FEL); Sciatica (1; FEL); Sore Throat (1; FEL); Splenosis (f; JLH); Sting (1; FEL); Toothache (1; FEL); VD (f; JLH); Vaginosis (1; FEL); Wart (f; JLH) Dosages (Water Mint) — 30 g leaf/500 ml water (PH2) As a daily dose, drink a wine glassful during the course of the day (PH2) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Water Mint) — Not covered (AHP) None reported at proper dosing (PH2) WAXTREE, JAPANESE WAXTREE (Toxicodendron succedaneum (L.) Kuntze) X Synonym: Rhus succedanea L Activities (Waxtree) — Anticancer (1; WOI); Antiviral (1; WOI); Aperitif (f; KAP); Astringent (f; KAB; SUW; WOI); Cardiotonic (1; WOI); Caustic (1; KAB; SUW); Cholagogue (f; KAP); Expectorant (f; KAP; WOI); Poison (1; WOI); Stimulant (f; KAP); Sympathomimetic (1; WOI); Tonic (f; KAP); Vesicant (1; DEP) Indications (Waxtree) — Anorexia (f; KAP); Asthma (f; KAP); Bleeding (1; KAP); Cancer (1; WOI); Cough (f; KAP); Diarrhea (f; KAB; SUW); Dysentery (f; KAB; SUW); Enterosis (f; KAP); Epistaxis (f; KAP); Fever (f; KAP); Gastrosis (f; KAP); Gingivosis (f; KAP); Gleet (f; KAP); Leukorrhea (f; KAP); Mucososis (f; KAP); Phthisis (f; DEP; KAB; SKJ; SUW); Psoriasis (f; KAP); Respirosis (f; KAP); Snakebite (f; KAP); Sting (f; KAP); Teething (f; KAP); Virus (1; WOI) Dosages (Waxtree) — 0.5–1.5 g powdered gall (KAP) WESTERN GROMWELL (Lithospermum ruderale Douglas ex Lehm.) X Activities (Western Gromwell) — Analgesic (f; DEM); Antigonadotropic (1; HHB); Antiseptic (f; DEM); Contraceptive (f; DEM); Diuretic (f; DEM) Indications (Western Gromwell) — Bleeding (f; DEM); Diarrhea (f; DEM); Enterorrhagia (f; DEM); Nephrosis (f; DEM); Pain (f; DEM); Rheumatism (f; DEM); Sore (f; DEM); Water Retention (f; DEM) Dosages (Western Gromwell) — oz dry root/pint water, tsp every hours (FEL); 0.5 tsp powdered seed every 4–5 hours (FEL) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Western Gromwell) — Not covered (AHP; PH2) If it contains the same shikonins and pyrrolizidine alkaloids, or nearly so, as the Chinese Lithospermum, it should probably be avoided WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.) +++ Activities (Wheat) — Antialcoholic (f; BIB); Antibilious (f; BIB); Antiseptic (f; BIB); Aperitif (f; KAB); Aphrodisiac (f; KAB); Bulking (1; SHT); Demulcent (f; BIB); Discutient (f; BIB); Emollient (f; BIB); Laxative (2; BGB; KAB; PH2; SHT); Lipolytic (1; PH2); Peristaltic (1; PH2); Sedative (f; BIB); Vulnerary (f; BIB) W 766 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs Indications (Wheat) — Adenopathy (f; JLH); Aegilops (f; PH2); Alcoholism (f; BIB); Anorexia (f; KAB); Aposteme (f; JLH); Arthrosis (f; JLH); Biliousness (f; KAB); Bleeding (f; BIB); Bruise (f; BIB); Burn (f; BIB); Callus (f; JLH); Cancer (1; BIB; JLH); Cancer, abdomen (1; JLH); Cancer, breast (1; JLH); Cancer, colon (1; JLH); Cancer, foot (1; JLH); Cancer, joint (1; JLH); Cancer, parotid (1; JLH); Cancer, sinus (1; JLH); Cancer, skin (1; JLH); Cancer, spleen (1; JLH); Cancer, testicle (1; JLH); Cancer, tonsil (1; JLH); Cancer, uterus (1; JLH); Cancer, whitlow (f; JLH); Cardiopathy (f; BIB); Colitis (2; BGB; SHT); Condyloma (f; PH2); Constipation (2; BGB; BIB; KAB; PH2; SHT); Corn (f; JLH); Dermatosis (1; PH2); Diarrhea (f; BIB); Diverticulosis (2; BIB; SHT); Dysentery (f; BIB); IBS (2; BGB); Epistaxis (f; BIB); Fever (f; BIB); Flux (f; BIB); Fracture (f; BIB); Gravel (f; BIB); Heatstroke (f; BIB); Hematuria (f; BIB); Hemoptysis (f; BIB); Incontinence (f; BIB); Induration (f; JLH); Inflammation (1; PH2); Insomnia (f; BIB); Itch (f; PH2); Leprosy (f; BIB); Leukorrhea (f; BIB); Mastosis (f; JLH); Metrorrhagia (f; BIB); Nervousness (f; BIB); Neurasthenia (f; BIB); Night Sweats (f; BIB); Orchosis (f; JLH); Osteosis (f; BIB); Pain (f; JLH); Scald (f; BIB); Smallpox (f; BIB); Sore (f; JLH); Sting (f; BIB); Swelling (f; BIB); Syphilis (f; BIB); Tonsilosis (f; JLH); Tuberculosis (f; BIB; KAB); Ulcer (f; JLH); VD (f; BIB); Wart (f; JLH); Wound (f; BIB) Dosages (Wheat) — 15 g bran ×/day (SHT); 15–40 g bran 1–2 ×/day (PH2) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Wheat) — Not covered (AHP) None at proper dosage (PH2) Bulking agents should not be taken by those with stenotic lesions of the GI tract May lead to bowel obstruction if fluid intake is inadequate Do not take bulking agents when laying down or at bedtime Do not use with antiperistaltics (such as, for example, loperamide) (SHT) WHITE BIRCH (Betula papyrifera Marshall) ++ Synonyms: B excelsa Aiton, B lyalliana Koehne, B papyrifera var commutata (Regel) Fernald Activities (White Birch) — Analgesic (f; DEM); Astringent (f; CEB); Carminative (f; CEB); Contraceptive (f; DEM); Depurative (f; CEB); Diaphoretic (f; DEM); Diuretic (f; CEB); Emetic (f; CEB); Lactagogue (f; DEM); Laxative (f; DEM); Tonic (f; DEM) Indications (White Birch) — Backache (f; DEM); Blood (f; CEB); Burn (f; DEM); Cataract (f; CEB); Chafing (f; CEB); Cold (f; CEB; DEM); Constipation (f; DEM); Cough (f; DEM); Cramp (f; DEM); Dermatosis (f; DEM); Diarrhea (f; DEM); Dropsy (f; CEB); Dysentery (f; DEM); Fever (f; DEM); Fracture (f; DEM); Gas (f; CEB); Gastrosis (f; DEM); Gonorrhea (f; DEM); Headache (f; CEB); Ophthalmia (f; CEB); Pain (f; DEM); Rash (f; DEM); Rheumatism (f; CEB); Scab (f; DEM); Sciatica (f; CEB); Scurvy (f; CEB); Stomachache (f; DEM); Teething (f; DEM); Toothache (f; DEM); Tuberculosis (f; CEB); VD (f; DEM); Water Retention (f; CEB); Womb (f; DEM) WHITE BRYONY (Bryonia alba L.) X Activities (White Bryony) — Abortifacient (f; HAD); Antitumor (1; PH2); Cytotoxic (1; KOM; PH2); Diuretic (1; EFS; KOM); Emetic (1; EFS; KOM; PH2); Emmenagogue (f; EFS); Expectorant (f; EFS); Hydragogue (f; EFS); Hypoglycemic (1; PH2); Irritant (1; PH2); Lactagogue (f; HAD); Laxative (1; HAD; KOM; PH2); Toxic (f; EFS); Vermifuge (1; EFS; HAD) W Indications (White Bryony) — Abscess (f; HAD); Acne (f; HAD); Adenopathy (f; JLH); Allergy (f; HAD); Alopecia (f; HAD); Aposteme (f; JLH); Arthrosis (f; JLH; KOM); Asthma (f; HAD); Blackhead (f; HAD); Bronchosis (f; HAD); Cacoethes (f; JLH); Cancer (1; FNF; JLH; PH2); Cancer, breast (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, colon (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, face (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, gland (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, joint (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, knee (1; FNF); Cancer, spleen (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, stomach (1; FNF; JLH); Cardiopathy (f; HAD); Constipation (1; HAD; KOM; PH2); Cough (f; EFS); Edema (f; JLH); Enterosis (f; KOM; PH2); Epilepsy (f; HAD); Fatigue (f; HAD); Fever (f; HAD); Flu (f; HAD); Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 767 Gastrosis (f; KOM; PH2); Gout (f; HAD); Headache (f; HAD); Hepatosis (f; KOM; PH2); High Blood Pressure (f; HAD); Hyperglycemia (1; PH2); Hysteria (f; HAD); Induration (f; JLH); Infection (f; KOM; PH2); Inflammation (f; HAD); Insanity (f; HAD); Insomnia (f; HAD); Leprosy (f; HAD); Lockjaw (f; HAD); Lumbago (f; HAD); Madness (f; HAD); Myalgia (f; HAD); Neuralgia (f; HAD); Neuromyososis (f; HAD); Pain (f; EFS); Paralysis (f; HAD); Pertussis (f; HAD); Pleurisy (f; EFS); Polyp (f; JLH); Psoriasis (f; HAD); Pulmonosis (f; HAD); Radiculomyososis (f; HAD); Sciatica (f; HAD); Respirosis (f; KOM; PH2); Rheumatism (f; PH2); Sclerosis (f; JLH); Splenosis (f; JLH); Tonsilosis (f; HAD); Tuberculosis (f; HAD); Tumor (1; PH2); Ulcer (f; HAD); Virus (f; HAD); Wart (f; HAD); Water Retention (1; EFS; KOM); Whitlow (f; JLH); Worm (1; EFS; HAD; JAD); Wound (f; JLH) Dosages (White Bryony) — Do not take (JAD); 0.5–1 g drug/cup water (PH2); 300–500 mg powdered herb as emetic and laxative (PH2) Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (White Bryony) — Not covered (AHP) Not approved (KOM) Commission E reports the root is a drastic laxative and emetic, while other therapeutic uses are not adequately documented Contains toxic cucurbitacins (AEH) May cause abortion, anuria, blisters, colic, collapse, convulsions, cramps, death, dermatosis, diarrhea, dizziness, emesis, hematochezia, nephrosis, neurosis, paralysis, rash, and/or vomiting (KOM; PH2) Extracts (White Bryony) — Powder has low toxicity Rats, guinea pigs, and dogs chronically treated show no cancerogenic, teratogenic, or other toxic effects LD = >10,000 mg/kg ipr rat, LD50 = >4000 mg/kg ipr mus, chronic (9-month) and subchronic (3-month) doses (30 mg/kg orl mus) did not induce mortality Alcoholic extracts (20% ethanolic) and dry powdered roots recognized in U.S Dispensatory and Martindale for asthma, bronchosis, pertussis, pleurisy, and other inflammatory disorders Various preparations are used for myalgia and epilepsy WHITE COHOSH, BANEBERRY (Actaea pachypoda Elliott) + W Synonym: Actaea alba auct APA confusingly aggregates Actaea pachypoda, the White Baneberry, and Actaea rubra (Aiton) Willd., the Red Baneberry, as White Cohosh I have joined them, but may treat them separately later PHR treats Actaea spicata L as an emetic, purgative poisonous plant ...764 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs WATERMELON (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum & Nakai) +++ Activities (Watermelon)... liver (f; JLH); Cancer, parotid (f; JLH); Cancer, spleen (f; JLH); Carbuncle (1; FEL); Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 765 Catarrh (1; FEL); Condyloma (f; JLH); Coryza (1; FEL); Cough (1; FEL); Diarrhea... Lipolytic (1; PH2); Peristaltic (1; PH2); Sedative (f; BIB); Vulnerary (f; BIB) W 766 Handbook of Medicinal Herbs Indications (Wheat) — Adenopathy (f; JLH); Aegilops (f; PH2); Alcoholism (f; BIB);