Handbook of Medicinal Herbs

(Dana P.) #1

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Dosages (Slippery Elm) — 1–3 tsp powdered herb/cup water 1–3 ×/day (APA); 1–2 g bark in tea
3–4 ×/day (SKY); 0.25–0.5 cup fresh bark (PED); 2–4 tsp dry bark (PED); 3 tsp dry bark/4 cups
boiling water (PED); 0.5–2 g powdered bark/cup 2–3 ×/day; 4 g powdered bark in 500 ml decoction
3 ×/day (CAN); 4–16 ml (1:8) powdered bark decoction 3 ×/day (CAN; HHB); 5 ml liquid bark
extract (1:1 in 60% ethanol) 3 ×/day (CAN); 5 ml bark tincture 3 ×/day (SKY); 2 (340–500 mg)
capsules as needed (JAD); 2 (340 mg) capsules as needed (APA).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Slippery Elm) — Class 1 (AHP). “Hazards
and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2). None known (CAN; WAM).
While I consider slippery elm safer than coffee, LRNP (March 1991) says, “preparations of slippery
elm had been used as abortifacients.” Perhaps they refer to Foster and Duke, who note slivers of
bark being used mechanically to induce an abortion, sort of the herbal coat hanger. Oleoresins from
several elm species can cause dermatosis. Pollen is allergenic (CRC; LRNP, March 1991). But even
conservative CAN says, “it would appear to be non-toxic.” The copious mucilage of the inner bark
justifies its use as antitussive, demulcent, and emollient (CAN).

SLOE, BLACKTHORN (Prunus spinosa L.) ++

Activities (Sloe) — Antipyretic (f; EFS); Astringent (1; EFS; PHR; PH2); Cardiotonic (f; MAD);
Depurative (f; EFS; MAD); Diaphoretic (f; HHB); Diuretic (f; MAD; HHB; PHR; PH2); Emme-
nagogue (f; EFS); Hemostat (f; EFS); Laxative (f; EFS; HHB; PHR; PH2); Vermifuge (f; EFS;
HHB; MAD).
Indications (Sloe) — Ascites (f; HHB); Asthma (f; HHB); Bleeding (f; EFS; HHB; MAD); BPH
(f; MAD); Cardiopathy (f; MAD; PH2); Childbirth (f; HHB); Cold (1; PHR; PH2); Colic (f; HHB);
Constipation (f; EFS; HHB; PHR; PH2); Cramp (f; PH2); Cystosis (f; HHB; MAD); Diarrhea (1;
HHB; PHR; PH2); Dysentery (f; MAD); Dysmenorrhea (f; HHB); Dyspepsia (1; PHR); Dysuria
(f; HHB); Edema (1; MAD); Enterosis (f; PHR; PH2); Epistaxis (f; HHB); Fever (f; EFS; HHB);
Gas (f; PH2); Gastrospasm (1; PHR); Gingivosis (1; PHR; PH2); Gout (f; MAD); Headache (f;
PH2); Heart (f; PH2); Hemorrhoid (f; MAD); Inflammation (2; KOM; PH2); Leukorrhea (f; HHB);
Menorrhagia (f; MAD); Mucososis (f; PH2); Nausea (f; MAD); Nephrosis (f; EFS; MAD); Neurosis
(f; MAD; PH2); Pharyngosis (2; KOM; PH2); Plethora (f; MAD); Prolapse (f; MAD); Proctosis
(f; MAD); Pulmonosis (f; MAD); Respirosis (1; MAD; PHR; PH2); Rheumatism (f; MAD); Side
Ache (f; MAD); Sore Throat (1; PHR; PH2); Stomachache (f; HHB); Stomatosis (2; KOM; PH2);
Stone (f; MAD); Uterosis (f; MAD); Water Retention (f; MAD; HHB; PHR; PH2); Worm (f; EFS;
HHB; MAD).
Dosages (Sloe) — 2–4 g fruit (KOM; PH2); 1–2 g flower or fruit, or 1–2 tsp as a tea, to 2 ×/day
(AHP); 2 tsp flower (= 2 g) in cold or hot tea (MAD).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Sloe) — Class 2d. Not for long-term use.
Do not exceed recommended dose. Cyanogenic glycosides present, as in many Rosaceae, in
flowers and seeds, at least (AHP). None known (KOM). “Hazards and/or side effects not known
for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2).

SMARTWEED (Polygonum hydropiper L.) ++

Synonym: Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Spach.
Activities (Smartweed) — Allergenic (1; FAD; HH2); Analgesic (1; DEM; PHR); Antibacterial
(f; WOI); Anticapillary Fragility (1; FAD); Antifertility (1; HH2); Anti-implantation (1; MPI);
Antimutagenic (1; HH2); Antirheumatic (f; PHR); Antiseptic (f; EFS); Carminative (f; DEP; EFS);
Contraceptive (f; WOI); Diaphoretic (f; EFS); Diuretic (f; EFS; FAD; HH2); Emmenagogue (f;
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