Handbook of Medicinal Herbs

E

Dosages (European Peony) — 1 tsp (~1 g) flower/cup water (APA; PH2; WIC); 30–40 grains
seed for nightmare (FEL); 2 g seed (HHB); 3–12 g peony root (FAY); 1 oz root boiled in a pint
of liquid (1 part “good gin”:2 parts water) (FEL); 1–30 drops root tincture (FEL); 0.3–0.6 g powder
root for children (MAD); 5–15 drops tincture (MAD); 2–3 fluid oz 3–4 ×/day (FEL).

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (European Peony) — Class 1. “Canadian
regulations do not allow European peony as a nonmedicinal ingredient for oral use products”
(AHP). No peonies were approved by Commission E, but they did say, “No risks known” (KOM).
The Physicians Desk Reference was a bit more explicit regarding P. officinalis, “Health hazards
not known with proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2). “Side effects that may occur, particularly in
cases of over dosages, include gastroenterosis with vomiting, colic, and diarrhea” (PHR).
“Because efficacy has not been documented, therapeutic use cannot be recommended” (PH2).
Much of the indicated uses and biological activity is attributed to paeoniflorin.

EUROPEAN WATER HEMLOCK (Cicuta virosa L.) X

Synonym — Cicuta mackenzieana Raup.

Activities (European Water Hemlock) — Piscicide (1; WO2); Poison (1; DEM); Sialagogue (1;
WO2); Toxic (f; HHB).

Indications (European Water Hemlock) — Adenopathy (f; JLH); Cancer (f; JLH); Cancer,
gland (f; JLH); Cancer, groin (f; JLH); Cramp (f; HHB); Dermatosis (f; HHB); Dysmenorrhea
(f; PH2); Eczema (f; HHB); Encephalosis (f; WO2); Epilepsy (f; HHB; WO2); Induration (f;
JLH); Inflammation (f; PH2); Meningosis (f; HHB); Migraine (f; PH2); Pain (f; HHB; PH2);
Psychosis (f; HHB); Singultus (f; HHB); Somnambulism (f; WO2); Tetanus (f; HHB); Worm
(f; PH2).

Dosages (European Water Hemlock) — Homeopathic dilutions only.

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (European Water Hemlock) — Not covered
(AHP). Unskilled herbalists should steer clear of wild herbs in the carrot family (JAD). 2–3 g root
potentially toxic (PH2).

EUROPEAN YEW (Taxus baccata L.) X

Synonyms — T. baccata var. aurea Carrière, var. fastigiata (Lindl.) Loudon, var. fastigiata-aurea
Sénéclauze, var. washingtonii (Richard Sm.) Beissner, T. canadensis var. washingtonii Richard Sm.,
T. fastigiata Lindl.

Activities (European Yew) — Abortifacient (f; DEM; HHB; PH2); Antifertility (1; WOI); Antis-
pasmodic (f; DEP); Aphrodisiac (f; DEP; KAB); Arrhythmogenic (1; PH2); Cardioactive (f; PHR);
Cardiotoxic (1; PH2); Carminative (f; WOI); CNS-Depressant (1; WOI); Diaphoretic (f; DEM);
Diuretic (f; KAB); Emmenagogue (f; DEP; PHR; PH2); Expectorant (f; WOI); Hypotensive (1;
HHB); Litholytic (f; DEP); Mydriatic (1; HHB); Narcotic (f; DEP; MAD); Parasiticide (1; HHB);
Poison (1; DEP; PH2); Protisticide (1; HHB); Sedative (1; DEP; HH2); Stomachic (f; WOI);
Tachycardic (1; PH2); Tranquilizer (1; WOI).

Indications (European Yew) — Amenorrhea (1; MAD; PH2); Angina (f; MAD); Asthma (f; KAB);
Biliousness (f; WOI); Bite (f; KAB); Bronchosis (f; KAB); Calculus (f; DEP; WOI); Cancer (1;
FAD; JLH); Cancer, breast (1; FAD); Cancer, ovary (1; FAD); Cardiopathy (f; MAD); Chest Cold
(f; DEM); Cold (f; DEM); Convulsion (f; DEP); Cough (f; DEM); Cramp (f; DEP; WOI); Croup
(f; MAD); Cystosis (f; HHB); Dermatosis (f; HHB; PH2); Diabetes (f; HHB); Diarrhea (f; WOI);
Diphtheria (f; HH2; PH2); Dysmenorrhea (f; DEM; HHB); Dyspepsia (f; DEP; PH2); Epilepsy (f;