B
has been recently disproven. Hepatotoxicity has not been noted in toxicity studies with oral
administration of sanguinarine. Human patch tests indicate it is nonirritant and nonsensitizing.
Animal studies indicate it is also nonallergenic and shows no anaphylactic potential. Still, they say,
“Use of bloodroot during pregnancy and lactation is best avoided. Oral rinses and toothpastes
containing either sanguinaria extracts, or sanguinarine, may be of value in dental hygiene, and are
of low toxicity” (CAN). The suspected glaucomagenic activity of sanguinarine has been disputed
and the toxicity of A. mexicana oil has been attributed to a fatty acid constituent rather than
sanguinarine. Canadians do not allow in food (Blackburn, 1993). May interfere with glaucoma
medications (AHP).
BLUEBERRY (Vaccinium angustifolia Aiton and corymbosum L.) +++Synonym — V. brittonii Porter ex C. Bicknell, V. lamarckii Camp, V. pennsylvanicum Lam.; V.
constablaei A. Gray.
Activities (Blueberry) — Analgesic (1; FAD); Antiaging (1; JNU); Antiinflammatory (1; JNU);
Antioxidant (1; JNU); Apoptotic (1; JNU); Astringent (1; APA); Cerebrotonic (1; JNU); Depurative
(1; DEM; FAD); Detoxicant (1; JNU); Emmenagogue (f; DEM); Hypocholesterolemic (f; JNU);
Memorigenic (1; JNU); Neuronogenic (1; JNU).
Indications (Blueberry) — Alzheimer’s (1; JNU); Arthrosis (1; JNU); Cancer (1; JNU); Car-
diopathy (1; JNU); Cerebrosis (1; JNU); Childbirth (1; FAD; JNU); Colic (1; DEM; FAD);
Dementia (1; JNU); Diarrhea (1; APA; FAD; JNU); Enterosis (1; APA); High Cholesterol (1;
JNU); Inflammation (1; APA; JNU); Miscarriage (1; FAD); Mucososis (1; APA); Pain (1; FAD);
Pharyngosis (1; APA); Sore Throat (1; APA); Stomatosis (1; APA); Stress (1; JNU); Stroke (1;
JNU); UTI (1; JUN).
Dosages (Blueberry) — 3 tbsp dried fruit chewed (APA); 1–2 tsp chopped leaf/cup water, up to
6 ×/day (APA).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Blueberry) — Class 1 (AHP). None reported
for the berry.
Extracts (Blueberry) — Wild blueberries may have 25–30 different anthocyanins in high concen-
trations. Cooking damages the anthocyanins (JNU). Anthocyanins and polyphenols in berries of
several Ribes, Rubus, and Vaccinium spp. have in vitro antiradical activity on chemically generated
superoxide radicals. The extracts also inhibit xanthine oxidase. All crude extracts were highly active
toward chemically generated superoxide radicals. Ribes nigrum extracts exhibited most activity,
being the richest in both anthocyanins and polyphenols. But Ribes rubrum extracts seem to contain
more active substances (X1332092).
BLUE CARDINAL FLOWER (Lobelia siphilitica L.) +Activities (Blue Cardinal Flower) — Antirheumatic (f; DEM); Antitussive (f; DEM); Diaphoretic
(f; FAD); Diuretic (f; FAD); Poison (f; FAD).
Indications (Blue Cardinal Flower) — Cold (f; FAD); Cough (f; FAD); Croup (f; DEM; FAD);
Dyspepsia (f; FAD); Epistaxis (f; DEM; FAD); Fever (f; DEM; FAD); Gastrosis (f; DEM; FAD);
Headache (f; FAD); Sore (f; DEM; FAD); Rheumatism (f; DEM); Syphilis (f; DEM; FAD); Water
Retention (f; FAD); Worm (f; DEM; FAD).