Handbook of Medicinal Herbs

(Dana P.) #1

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HHB); Rheumatism (f; PH2); Wart (f; HHB; JLH); Water Retention (f; WOI); Wen (f; JLH);
Whitlow (f; JLH); Wound (f; PH2).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Wild Teasel) — Not covered (AHP; KOM).
None reported at designated dosages (not given) (PH2).

WILD TURNIP (Brassica rapa L. ssp. campestris (L.) A. R. Clapham) ++

Many writers do not distinguish between black, brown (Indian), and white mustard (Brassica nigra (L.)
W. D. J. Koch, Brassica juncea (L.) Czern., and Brassica alba (synonym of Sinapis alba L. subsp. alba),
respectively) but the spice and medicine trade seems to favor the white. And the canola and rapeseed
varieties have been hopelessly manipulated, even in the GMO field. Few, if any, taxonomists and agron-
omists can distinguish all Brassica varieties and species, and probably fewer chemists, herbalists, phar-
macists, and physicians can be sure of the variety or species. My entries can be no more reliable than
their sources. Seems as though the group might better be treated generically than specifically or varietally.
Activities (Wild Turnip) — Antibacterial (1; HHB); Antiscorbutic (f; EFS); Antiseptic (1; HHB);
Cardiotoxic (1; PH2); Fungicide (1; HHB); Laxative (f; EFS); Parasiticide (1; HHB).
Indications (Wild Turnip) — Bacteria (1; HHB); Cancer (1; JLH); Cancer, breast (1; JLH); Cancer,
spleen (1; JLH); Constipation (f; EFS); Corn (f; JLH); Escherichia (f; JLH); Fungus (1; HHB); Infection
(1; HHB); Mycosis (1; HHB); Parasite (1; HHB); Splenosis (f; JLH); Wart (f; JLH); Yeast (1; HHB).
Dosages (Wild Turnip) — Food farmacy as far as I am concerned.
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Wild Turnip) — Not covered (AHP; KOM).
None at proper doses (PH2). Rapeseed oil ingested in overdose can be cardiotoxic. And in huge doses,
hard to get dietarily, indole-3-carbinol might stimulate breast cancer rather than prevent it because it
does so at levels reasonably attainable through dietary consumption of crucifers (Brassicaceae). Don’t
overdo it. In huge quantities, glucosinolate/isothiocyanate-containing crucifers might upset the thyroid.
Hyperthyroidism with goiter traced “to the use of the isothiocyanates in mustard” (APA). Delaneyite
nitpickological gene jocks will doubtless clamor to put the same goitrogenic warning on all members
of the mustard family as well as papaya, caper, and nasturtium, and all genistein-containing legumes.
Our genes coevolved with the genistein and glucosinolates for millions of years!

WILD YAM (Dioscorea villosa L.) ++

Synonyms: D. hirticaulis Bartlett, D. villosa var. hirticaulis (Bartlett) H. E. Ahles.
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