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Bogbean Herb - Uses And Side Effects

Bogbean extract comes from the leaves of Menyanthes trifoliata, a plant native to European and North American swamps, marshes, and bogs. The fruit of M. trifoliata looks like a small bean; hence the name "bogbean." Europeans use bogbean small amounts as a natural food flavoring.

Common doses of Bogbean

Bogbean comes as dried leaf, liquid extract, and tincture. Some experts recommend the following doses:

• As dried leaf, 1 to 2 grams in a tea taken orally three times a day.
• As extract (1:1 in 25% alcohol), 1 to 2 milliliters taken orally three times a day at mealtimes with plenty of juice or water.

Why people use Bogbean herb

• Constipation
• Fluid retention
• Fever
• Rheumatism
• Scurvy

Side effects of Bogbean

Call your health care practitioner if you experience any of these possible side effects of bog bean:

• bleeding
• nausea
• vomiting

Bogbean also can cause red blood cell destruction.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Don't use bogbean when taking:

• blood thinners, such as heparin and Coumadin
• antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin, Plavix, or Ticlid.

Important points to remember

• Don't use bogbean if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.
• Call your health care practitioner promptly if you experience unusual bleeding or bruising, abdominal pain, vomiting, or dizziness when using bogbean. Discontinue the herb if these symptoms persist.
• Be aware that ingesting bogbean may cause severe, prolonged nausea and vomiting.
• Keep bogbean fluid extract away from children to avoid poisoning.

What the research shows

Although animal studies indicate a few therapeutic uses for bogbbean, results from human studies aren't available to justify its medicinal use. Also, questions about bogbean's safety remain unanswered.

Other names for Bogbean : -

Other names for bogbean include buckbean, marsh trefoil, and water shamrock.

No known products containing bodbean are available commercially.