Category: Herbs

Bistort Herb – Uses And Side Effects

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Bistort

Bistort comes from Polygonum bistorta, a member of the Buckwheat family (Polygonaceae). This plant is native to Europe and naturalized in North America. The most prized parts, the root and rhizomes (underground stems), are gathered In the fall. The leaves are gathered in the spring.

Rich in starch, bistort root has been roasted and eaten as a vegetable. Different folk cultures use different parts of bistort.

Common doses of Bistort

Bistort comes as a powder, dried or cut root, and tea. Some experts recommend the following dose:

  • For diarrhea, 1 teaspoon of the powdered root combined with 1 to 1-1/2 cups of boiling water, taken orally. Don’t take more than 3 cups daily.

Why people use Bistort herb

Side effects of Bistort

Call your health care practitioner if you experience stomach upset. Bistort also may cause liver damage.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you’re taking

Important points to remember

  • Don’t use bistort if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding.
  • Don’t take this herb internally for more than 3 weeks at a time.

What the research shows

Bistort shows some promise in easing inflammation, relieving arthritis symptoms, and treating diarrhea in children. It also may have value as an astringent to use in poultices. However, few scientific studies support these uses. Until clinical trials can precisely define bistort’s therapeutic value, medical experts can’t recommend it.

Other names for Bistort : –

Other names for bistort include adderwort, common bistort, Easter ledges, Easter mangiant, knotweed, oderwort, osterick, patience dock, snakeroot, snakeweed, and twice writhen.

No known products containing bistort are available commercially.

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Birch Herb – Uses And Side Effects

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Birch Herb

Active compounds of birch come from the dried bark and twigs of the birch species Betula alba (B. pendula), B. verrucosa, B. pubescens, and B. lenta. Several birch species are native to eastern North America, Europe, and parts of Russia.

In Germany, some people use B. pendula leaves as a diuretic to treat urinary treat infections. German researchers are evaluating betulin, a compound found in birch for Possible use against tumors.

Common doses of Birch

Birch comes as essential oil (bark, wood), dried bark, and tea. Some experts recommend the following dose:

  • As an extract or tea, steep 2 to 3 grams of the bark in boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes and ingest up to several times daily.

Why people use Birch herb

  • Bladder infection
  • Digestive problems
  • Gout
  • Headache
  • Kidney stones
  • Pain relief
  • Rheumatism
  • Skin disorders

Side effects of Birch

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

  • acute skin irritation nom exposure to birch leaves or sap
  • allergies caused by cross-sensitivity to other plant allergens, such as celery and mugwort pollen
  • nasal allergy symptoms

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you’re taking.

Important points to remember

  • Don’t use birch if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding.
  • Use this herb cautiously if you have seasonal allergies or a known hypersensitivity to plant allergens.
  • Keep birch preparations out of children’s reach. Sweet birch oil contains 98% methyl salicylate, which has been fatal to children when applied topically to the skin. Poisoning has occurred with as little as 4.7 grams of methyl salicylate applied topically.
  • Know that topical birch preparations may irritate the skin and mucous membranes. Report new or unusual skin problems to your health care practitioner.

What the research shows

Birch has some interesting chemical properties, but until more clinical research is available, the herb won’t playa role in modern medicine. Also, the risk of allergic reactions gives cause for concern.

Other names for Birch: –

Other names for birch include birch tar oil, birch wood oil, black birch, cherry birch, sweet birch and white birch.

No known product containing birch are available commercially.

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Bilberry Herb – Uses And Side Effects

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Bilberry Herb

Native Americans used bilberry teas and tinctures to treat diabetes symptoms. During World War II, British pilots ate bilberry preserves to improve their night vision.

Bilberry’s active components are extracted by a drying process from the Vaccinium myrtillus plant. Some people prepare a hydro alcoholic extraction of the leaf.

Common doses of Bilberry

Bilberry comes as:

  • capsules (60, 80, 120, and 450 milligrams)
  • liquid
  • tincture
  • fluid extract
  • dried roots, leaves, and berries.

Some experts recommend the following doses:

  • To improve night vision, 60 to 120 milligrams of bilberry extract taken orally daily.
  • For poor vision or poor circulation, 240 to 480 milligrams orally every day, taken in two or three equal doses.

Why people use Bilberry herb

  • Cataracts
  • Diabetic retinopathy (a vision disorder caused by diabetes)
  • Glaucoma
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Muscular degeneration
  • Poor circulation
  • Poor night vision
  • Varicose veins

Side effects of Bilberry

Call your health care practitioner if you experience unusual symptoms while taking bilberry. Long-term consumption of large doses of bilberry leaves may cause toxic reactions. Doses of 1.5 grams of bilberry per kilograms of body weight may cause death.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you’re taking, especially:

  • Antabuse (don’t use bilberry products containing alcohol when taking Antabuse) . anti platelet drugs such as aspirin
  • blood thinners such as Coumadin.

Important points to remember

  • Don’t use bilberry if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding.
  • If you use bilberry when taking a blood thinner, be sure to report unusual bleeding or bruising to your health care practitioner.
  • Know that experts recommend using only standardized bilberry products with 25%, anthocyanoside content.

What the research shows

A study conducted in the 1960s found that bilberry improved night vision. Medical experts are intrigued with the possible use of bilberry extracts to treat fluid retention and blood vessel leak ­ age, but can’t support such use until more human studies are done. What’s more, they know little about bilberry’s potential toxicity except that daily doses exceeding 480 milligrams may be dangerous.

Other names for Bilberry : –

Other names for bilberry include bilberrlcs, bog bilberries, European blueberries, huckleberries, and whortleberries.

A product containing bilberry are sold under such names as Bilberry Extract and Bilberry Vegicap.

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Betony Herb – Uses And Side Effects

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Betony

Betony comes from the flowers and leaves of Stachys officinalis, a plant found in Europe, Northern Africa, and Siberia. Folklore suggests many uses for this herb.

Common doses of Betony

Betony comes as capsules and tea. Typically, it’s taken as an infusion or a tea.

Why people use Betony herb

Side effects of Betony

Call your health care practitioner if you experience stomach upset when using betony. Betony also can cause liver damage.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Don’t use betony when taking drugs that lower blood pressure.

Important points to remember

  • Don’t use betony if you’re pregnant because it may stimulate the uterus.
  • Use this herb cautiously because it may cause liver damage and stomach discomfort.

What the research shows

Despite various claims, evidence doesn’t support using betony for any medicinal purpose.

Other names for Betony : –

Other names for betony include bishopswort and wood betony.

A product containing betony is sold as Wood Betony.

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Beth Root Herb – Uses And Side Effects

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Beth Root Herb

Native Americans used beth root to reduce postpartum bleeding. For this reason, some people call it birthroot. Others call it stinking Benjamin because its dark purple flowers smell like rotting flesh. Following the early doctrine that “like cures like,” the plant was applied to gangrenous wounds to try to halt the infection.

Bethroot’s active agents come from the dried roots, rhizomes (underground stems), and leaves of Trillium erectum, a low-lying perennial of the Lily family (Uliaceae). The plant grows in Canada and Eastern and Central United States.

Common doses of Beth root

Bethroot comes as a powder, powdered root, and fluid ex­tract. Some experts recommend the following doses:

  • 1 tablespoon of bethroot powder in a pint of boiling water taken “freely in wine glassful doses.”
  • 1 dram of powdered root taken orally three times a day.
  • 30 minims of fluid extract as an astringent or tonic expectorant.

Why people use Beth root herb

  • Abnormally long or heavy menstrual periods.
  • As an expectorant
  • Bleeding
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • During childbirth and delivery
  • Skin irritation
  • Snakebite
  • To stimulate the uterus

Side effects of Beth root

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

  • stomach upset
  • vomiting

Beth root also may cause toxic effects on the heart.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Don’t use bethroot while taking drugs used to treat heart problems.

Important points to remember

  • Avoid bethroot if you’re pregnant because it may stimulate the uterus.
  • Don’t use bethroot if you’re taking drugs prescribed for a heart condition. This herb may affect heart function.
  • Consider discontinuing the herb if you experience stomach upset.

What the research shows

Little scientific evidence supports beth root’s traditional uses in promoting childbirth and delivery, managing postpartum bleeding, or treating snakebites, skin irritation, and many other problems. Medical experts can’t consider beth root or its components medically useful until it has been studied carefully in humans.

Other names for Bethroot : –

Other names for beth root include birthroot, cough root, ground lily, Indian balm, Indian shamrock, Jew’s harp, purple trillium, snake bite, squaw root, stinking Benjamin, trillium, trillium pendulum, and wake-robin.

A product containing bethroot is sold under the name Trillium Complex.

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Betel Palm Herb – Uses And Side Effects

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Betel Palm Herb

Betel palm comes from the raw, sweetened leaves and nuts of Areca catechu, a member of the Palmaceae (Palm) family. The plant is native to India, China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and parts of Africa. Roughly 200 million people throughout the Pacific Rim, Southeast Asia, India, and Indonesia chew betel nuts and leaves, as much as some Americans chew tobacco.

Common doses of Betel Palm

Betel palm is available as betel oil, raw leaves, and nuts. Usually, the betel nut is sweetened with lime (calcium hydroxide), wrapped in the leaf of the betel vine, and then chewed. Chewing the “quid,” as this habit is called, can take up to 15 minutes. Some users chew up to 15 quids daily.

Why people use Betel Palm herb

  • As a stimulant
  • Cough
  • Respiratory symptoms
  • Sore throat
  • To aid digestion

Side effects of Betel Palm

Call your health care practitioner if you experience any of these possible side effects of betel palm

  • anxiety
  • muscle jerking or muscle paralysis
  • blurred vision
  • cold sweats
  • nervousness
  • constipation
  • pale skin
  • diarrhea
  • restlessness
  • fast or slow heartbeat
  • stomach cramps
  • facial flushing
  • unusually small or large pupils
  • fever
  • vomiting
  • hallucinations
  • worsening of asthma
  • insomnia

Betel palm also can cause high blood pressure. With prolonged use, it may cause: . calcium loss from the teeth

  • increased risk of mouth and esophagus cancer
  • inflammation of the gums and related tissues
  • red staining of the teeth and inside of the mouth.

Excessive betel chewing can cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures (similar to symptoms of excessive nicotine use).

Interactions

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

  • alcohol
  • atropine
  • drugs used to treat glaucoma
  • heart drugs called beta blockers (such as Inderal or Betapace) or calcium channel blockers (such as Calan or Procardia).

Important points to remember

  • Avoid betel palm if you have a high risk for cancer of the mouth or esophagus, squamous cell cancer, or oral leukoplakia (thick, white patches inside the mouth).
  • Don’t use betel palm if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding.
  • Be aware that prolonged betel nut chewing is linked to mouth and esophagus cancers.

What the research shows

No data support medicinal uses of betel palm. Chewing betel nut has been compared with using tobacco or alcohol legal but potentially harmful

Other names for Betel Palm: –

Other names for betel palm include areca nut, betal, betel nut, chavica betal, hmarg, maag, marg, paan, pan masala, pan parag, pinang, and supai.

Betel nuts are sold under various names in ethnic grocery stores in the United States.

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Benzoin Herb – Uses And Side Effects

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Benzoin

A resin of balsam, benzoin has been used for over 100 years. It’s obtained by wounding the bark of Styrax benzoin trees age 7 years or older. Benzoin can also be obtained from the bark of S. paralleloneurus and S. tonkinensis.

Common doses of Benzoin

Benzoin comes as compound benzoin tincture USP, which contains 10% benzoin, 2% aloe, 8% storax, 4% tolu balsam, and 75% to 83% alcohol. It’s also an ingredient in some cold-sore lotions, creams, and ointments. Some experts recommend the following doses:

  • By steam inhalation, add approximately 5 milliliters of compound benzoin tincture to 1 pint of hot water, and inhale. Or place the tincture on a handkerchief and inhale.
  • For mucous membrane protection (adults and children over age 6 months), apply a few drops topically no more than once every 2 hours. Use in infants only under medical supervision.

Why people use Benzoin herb

  • As an antiseptic
  • As an expectorant
  • As a wound adhesive
  • Cough
  • Pain from canker sores, inflamed gums and oral herpas sores

Side effects of Benzoin

Contact your health care practitioner if you experience any of these possible side effects of benzoin:

  • allergic reactions
  • hives
  • asthma (when inhaled)
  • skin irritation

If ingested, benzoin can cause stomach inflammation or digestive tract bleeding.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you’re taking.

Important points to remember

  • Don’t inhale benzoin if you have asthma.
  • Know that benzoin is poisonous if taken internally.
  • Avoid benzoin if you have a history of allergic reactions, asthma, or skin irritation.
  • Be aware that topical benzoin use can discolor the skin and cause skin irritation.
  • Know that inhaling the volatile steam of benzoin isn’t effective. Consider using un­ medicated water vapor instead.

What the research shows

Most clinical information about benzoin comes from case reports and the herb’s long history of use in numerous medical specialties. Such information shows that the herb is inferior to other products in protecting the skin and mucous membranes and as a wound adhesive.

Although people have been inhaling compound benzoin tincture for many years, the practice has never been studied systematically. Experts believe inhaling plain steam is probably just as effective-maybe more so.

As for benzoin’s use in protecting the skin and mucous membranes, experts don’t recommend the herb because it can cause allergic reactions and because many conventional antiseptics have proven to be effective.

Other names for Benzoin : –

Other names for benzoin include benjamin ttee, benzoe, benzoin ttee, gum benjamin, Siam benzoin, and Sumatta benzoin.

Products containing benzoin are sold under such names as Balsam of the Holy Victorious Knight, Friar’s Balsam, Jerusalem Balsam, Pfeiffer’s Cold Sore Preparation, Turlington’s Balsam Of Life, Ward’s, and Balsam.

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Bearberry Herb – Uses And Side Effects

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bearberry

Bearberry comes from the dry leaves-not berries-of the low, trailing evergreen shrub Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (also A. coactylis and A. adenotricha).

Common doses of Bearberry

Bearberry comes as drops, tablets, and tea. Some experts recommend the following dose:

  • 1 to 10 grams taken orally daily.

Why people use Bearberry herb

  • Fluid rentention
  • To sterilize tract

Side effects of Bearberry

Contact your health care practitioner if you experience any of these possible side effects of bearberry.

  • bluish gray skin
  • nausea
  • green urine
  • vomiting

When taken in large doses (more than 20 grams as a single dose), bearberry may cause ringing in the ears, vomiting, seizures, and blood vessel collapse.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Don’t use bearberry while taking:

  • diuretics
  • drugs that make the urine acidic, such as ascorbic acid and Urex.

Important points to remember

  • Don’t use this herb if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding.
  • Know that although some people have taken up to 20 grams of bearberry at a time with no side effects, others have experienced poisoning symptoms from as little as 1 gram.
  • Be aware that bearberry may turn your urine green.

What the research shows

Bearberry may help relieve fluid retention and ease inflammation, but more studies are needed to verify these effects. Until medical experts have more information, they can’t recommend bearberry for any condition.

Other names for Bearberry: –

Other names for for bearberry include arctostaphylos, bear’s grape, crowberry, foxberry, kinnikinnick, manzanita, mountain box, rockberry, and uva-ursi.

A product containing bearberry are sold under such names as Arctuvan, Solvefort,, Uroflux and Uvalyst.

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Bayberry Herb – Uses And Side Effects

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Bayberry Herb

Medicinal extracts of bayberry usually are obtained from the dried root bark of Myrica cerifera, a shrub native to Texas and the eastern United States. Bayberry is best known for its small, bluish-white berries. Wax extracted from the berries Is used in fragrances and candles.

Common doses of Bayberry

Bayberry comes as:

  • capsules (450 and 475 milligram)
  • liquid
  • tea
  • extract

Experts disagree on what dose to take. Most suggest consuming bayberry as a tea.

Why people use Bayberry herb

  • As a stimulant
  • Diarrhea
  • Jaundice
  • To include vomiting
  • Wound healing

Side effects of Bayberry

Contact your health care practitioner if you experience any of these possible side effects of bayberry.

  • nasal allergy symptoms.
  • stomach discomfort.
  • other allergic reactions.
  • vomiting.

Bayberry also can cause cancer and liver damage.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you’re taking.

Important points to remember

  • Don’t use bayberry if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding.
  • Avoid eating parts of the bayberry plant. Its high tannin content may cause stomach irritation and liver damage.
  • Be aware that this herb may cause weight gain, high blood pressure, water retention, and body salt imbalances.
  • Report allergic reactions to your health care practitioner.

What the research shows

Little evidence supports medicinal claims for bayberry. Its high tannin content (which can lead to stomach distress and liver damage) rules out oral use. Allergic reactions to the pollen extract further limit bayberry’s medicinal value.

Other names for Bayberry: –

Other names for Bayberry include candleberry, myrica, southern wax myrtle, spicebush, sweet oak, tallow shrub, vegetable tallow, waxberry and wax myrtle plant.

A product containing bayberry is sold as Bayberry bark.

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Bay Herb – Uses And Side Effects

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Bay Herb

An ingredient in some natural toothpastes, bay usually is obtained from the leaves and berries of Laurus Robilis, a small tree native to the Mediterranean area. A different bay tree species that grows in California has a more bitter product used primarily in extracts. Because bay seems to enhance insulin’s effects, some nutritionists recommend it for diabetic diets.

Common doses of Bay

Bay is available as leaves, berries, extracts, and essential oil.

Some people apply bay extracts topically or use them in baths and soaks. The leaves typically are used to season foods. Before eating bay leaves, be sure to thoroughly dry and crush them.

Why people use Bay herb

  • As an antiseptic
  • As a stimulant
  • Common cold
  • Fluid retention
  • Muscle sprains and strains.
  • Rheumatism.

Side effects of Bay

Contact your health care practitioner if you experience any of these possible side effects of bay.

Eating bay leaves without crushing them first may cause bowel perforation.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you’re taking, especially insulin.

Important points to remember

  • Don’t use bay if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding.
  • Don’t consume essential oil from bay leaves because of the risk of allergic reaction and an asthma attack.
  • Don’t ingest whole, intact bay leaves. Because of their sharp, serrated edges, they can become lodged in the esophagus or intestine. Some people have had to have surgery to remove them.

What the research shows

Although bay leaf is a popular seasoning, scientists can’t verify claims that it’s effective in treating diabetes or any other disease.

Other names for Bay: –

Other names for bay include bay laurel, bay leaf, bay tree and sweet bay.

Various manufacturers provide the entire leaf or crushed leaves as a condiment. No known medicinal products containing bay are available commercially.

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