B
BIRTHWORT (Aristolochia clematitis L.) XActivities (Birthwort) — Antiherpetic (1; PH2); Carcinogenic (1; PH2); Depurative (f; EFS);
Immunomodulator (1; PH2); Mutagenic (1; PH2); Nephrotoxic (1; PH2); Phagocytotic (1; PH2);
Stimulant (f; EFS); Toxic (1; PH2); Vulnerary (f; EFS).
Indications (Birthwort) — Arthrosis (f; PH2); Cacoethes (f; JLH); Cancer (f; JLH); Cancer, breast
(f; JLH); Cancer, nose (f; JLH); Cancer, uterus (f; JLH); Childbirth (f; EFS; GMH); Colic (f; PH2);
Cholecystosis (f; PH2); Climacteric (f; PH2); Enterosis (f; PH2); Gastrosis (f; PH2); Herpes (1;
PH2); Infection (1; PH2); Malaria (f; PH2); Mastosis (f; JLH); Ophthalmia (f; PH2); Otosis (f;
PH2); Pain (f; PH2); Pharyngosis (f; PH2); Polyp (f; JLH); Rhinosis (f; JLH); Sore (f; PH2);
Stomachache (f; PH2); Uterosis (f; JLH); Virus (1; PH2); Wound (f; PH2).
Dosages (Birthwort) — Don’t take it.
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Birthwort) — Class 2b, 3 (AHP). Contrain-
dicated in pregnancy (PH2). Outlawed in U.S. because of aristolochic acid.
BISHOP’S WEED (Ammi visnaga (L.) Lamarck) +Synonym — Daucus visnaga L.
Activities (Bishop’s Weed) — Antiatherosclerotic (1; WO3); Antipyretic (1; WO3); Antispasmodic
(1; BIS; PHR; WO3; X7194092); Calcium Antagonist (1; WO3); Cardiotonic (1; PHR); Coronary
Dilator (1; BIS); Diuretic (1; BIS); Hypoglycemic (f; X3613607); Inotropic (1; BIS; PHR);
Litholytic (1; BIS); Myocardiotonic (1; PHR; SHT); Myocontractant (1; X9225605); Phototoxic
(1; PHR); Vasodilator (1; WO2).
Indications (Bishop’s Weed) — Angina (1; PHR; SHT; WO2); Asthma (1; BIS; PHR); Athero-
sclerosis (1; WO3); Bladder Stone (1; BIS); Bronchosis (1; BIS; WO2); Cardiopathy (1; BIS; PHR);
Colic (f; BIS); Cramp (1; BIS; PHR; WO3; X7194092); Diabetes (f; X3613607); Dysmenorrhea
(1; BIS); Enterosis (1; BIS; PH2); Fever (1; WO3); Gastrosis (1; BIS); Hyperglycemia (f;
X3613607); Hypertonia (f; PH2); Kidney Stone (1; BIS); Pertussis (1; PHR); Psoriasis (1; BIS);
Stone (1; BIS; WO2); Tachycardia (1; PHR); Vitiligo (1; BIS); Water Retention (1; BIS).
Dosages (Bishop’s Weed) — 20 mg pyrones, calculated as khellin (BIS); 0.5 g powdered fruit/cup
water (1 tsp = 2.5 g) (BIS).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Bishop’s Weed) — Not covered (AHP).
Adverse effects may include dizziness, elevated hepatic transaminase, fatigue, insomnia,
pseudoallergic reactions, reversible cholestatic jaundice, vertigo, and vomiting (PHR; SHT; WO2).
Prolonged use or overdose may cause allergic symptoms, anorexia, constipation, elevated liver
enzymes, headache, insomnia, nausea, queasiness, and vertigo (BIS; PHR). Phototoxic coumarins.
Commission E approved Bishop’s Weed on March 13, 1986, but reversed itself as of April 15,
1994, condemning it because of excessive therapeutic risk and unproven efficacy (renal colic, spastic
urinary tract disorders). “Ammi fruits may no longer be prescribed in Germany for this or any other
indication” (SHT). Extracts and khellin and visnagin improve myocardial perfusion, increasing
blood flow through the coronary vessels, making it useful for angina.
BISTORT (Polygonum bistorta L.) ++Synonym — Persicaria bistorta (L.) Samp.
Activities (Bistort) — Anipyretic (f; WOI); Antiseptic (f; WOI); Astringent (f; PNC); Diuretic (f;
WOI); Expectorant (f; WOI); Hemostat (f; HHB; WOI).