G
PED); Syncope (f; CRC); Typhus (1; HHB); Ulcer (1; APA; JLH); Vomiting (1, BGB); Worm
(f; CRC; HHB; MAD); Wound (1; APA).
Dosages (Gentian) — 0.5–1 tsp fresh root (PED); 0.25–0.5 g dry root (PED); 0.5 g dry root:3 ml
alcohol/2 ml water (PED); 0.6–2 g root, or in tea, 3 ×/day (CAN); 0.3–2 g root/day (HHB); 2–4
g root/day (KOM; PIP); 0.5–2 g powdered root (PNC); 1 tsp powdered root/3 cups water, take 1
tbsp 30 minutes before meals (APA); 1 g herb/cup water, or 1–4 ml tincture 3 ×/day (PH2); 1–3
g root tincture/day (KOM; PIP); 20–40 drops tincture (APA); 10 drops tincture 2–3 ×/day (MAD);
up to 20 drops tincture before meals (SKY); 2–5 ml tincture (PNC); 1–4 ml herbal tincture (1:5
in 45% ethanol) 3 ×/day (CAN); 0.5–4 g extract/day (APA); 2–4 g fluid extract (KOM; PIP); 1.5–4
ml herb infusion (PNC).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Gentian) — Class 2d. Root contraindicated
in acid stomach, gastrosis, heartburn, and duodenal and gastric ulcers (AHP; KOM; SKY). May
cause headache (KOM; PIP). Reportedly contraindicated in hypertension (CAN). Gentian has
documented mutagenic activity and is reputed to affect the menstrual cycle, its use in pregnancy
and lactation is to be avoided (CAN). Mutagenic activity in the AMES test has been documented
for gentian with gentisin and isogentisin identified as mutagenic components. Gentian root is
reported to contain 1000 ppm total mutagenic compounds, of which 760 were gentisin and isogen-
tisin (CAN). Blumenthal et al., (1998) caution re dandelion, but not gentian, that, “As with all
drugs containing bitter substances, discomfort due to gastric hyperacidity may occur” (KOM). Do
I need to write out this caveat for all the bitter herbs (Pedersen, 1998, classifies nearly half of his
herbs as bitter)? Warning: may cause hyperacidity and gastric distress. In general, bitter substances
stimulate gastric secretion.
GERMAN IPECAC, WHITE SWALLOWWORT
(Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Medik.) +Synonyms — Asclepias vincetoxicum L., Cynanchum vincetoxicum (L.) Pers., Vincetoxicum offi-
cinale Moench.
Activities (German Ipecac) — Antiseptic (1; PH2); Antitumor (1; PH2); Diaphoretic (f; HHB);
Digestive (f; PH2); Digitalic (1; WOI); Diuretic (f; HHB; PH2); Emetic (f; PH2); Emmenagogue
(f; PH2); Fungicide (1; HHB); Hemolytic (1; WOI); Laxative (f; EFS); Paralytic (1; PH2); Poison
(1; WOI); Toxic (f; EFS).
Indications (German Ipecac) — Bruise (f; PH2); Cancer (1; PH2); Cancer, breast (f; HHB; JLH);
Cancer, uterus (f; HHB; JLH); Constipation (f; EFS); Dysmenorrhea (f; HHB; PH2); Dyspepsia
(f; PH2); Edema (f; PH2); Fever (f; HHB); Fungus (1; HHB); Infection (1; HHB); Mastosis (f;
JLH); Mycosis (1; HHB); Nephrosis (f; HHB; PH2); Pain (f; HHB); Plague (f; HHB; PH2); Scrofula
(f; EFS); Snakebite (f; HHB; PH2); Swelling (f; PH2); Tumor (1; PH2); Uterosis (f; JLH); Water
Retention (f; HHB; PH2).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (German Ipecac) — Not covered (AHP).
The mix of glycosides, called vincetoxin, in high doses in animals causes apnea, cardiac paralysis,
and vomiting.
GERMAN SARSAPARILLA (Carex arenaria L.) +Activities (German Sarsaparilla) — Diaphoretic (f; HHB); Diuretic (f; HHB); Insecticide (f;
HHB); Piscicide (f; HHB); Sternutator (f; HHB).