A
Research on the long-term toxicity and pharmacokinetics of aloe is still incomplete” (AHP).
Risks are not conclusive based on the available information (SHT).
Clinical (Aloes) — A nondialysable fraction (with mixed polysaccharides) enhances phagocytosis
in adult bronchial asthma (perhaps due to endogenous cyclooxygenase synthesizing prostaglandins
especially PGE-2, with some TXB-2, PGD-2, PGF-2, and 6 keto-PGF-1b). PGE-2 has been
associated with the beneficial effect on asthma.ALPINE CRANBERRY (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) ++With at least 10 common names available in the USDA online, you’d think that an herbal desk
reference intended for American physicians would use 1 of these 10. But no, PH2 went with
alpine cranberry. USDA suggests cowberry, foxberry, lingberry, lingen, lingenberry, lingon,
lingon berry, mountain cranberry, and rock cranberry (not to mention the German, Preiselbeere).
DEM goes with lingonberry and mountain cranberry. Even two of the alternatives offered by
PH2 were not listed by USDA (e.g., alpine cranberry and whortleberry). Thank goodness for
scientific names.
Activities (Alpine Cranberry) — Antiherpetic (1; HH2); Antiseptic (1; PH2); Antiviral (1; PH2);
Astringent (f; HHB; HH2); Cyclooxygenase-Activator (1; HH2); Cytotoxic (1; HH2); Fungicide
(1; HHB); Urinary Antiseptic (1; PH2).
Indications (Alpine Cranberry) — Bleeding (1; HHB); Calculus (f; PH2); Cancer (f; JLH);
Cancer, breast (f; JLH); Childbirth (f; HHB); Cold (f; DEM); Cough (f; DEM; HHB); Diarrhea
(1; HHB; HH2); Flu (1; HH2); Fungus (1; HHB); Gout (f; PH2); Herpes (1; HH2); Infection (1;
HHB; PH2); Inflammation (1; HH2); Mastosis (f; JLH); Mycosis (1; HHB; HH2); Respirosis (f;
HHB); Rheumatism (f; PH2); Sore Throat (f; DEM); Stone (f; PH2); Swelling (f; HH2); Urethrosis
(f; HH2); UTI (f; PH2); Virus (1; PH2).
Dosages (Alpine Cranberry) — 2 g/cup tea (PH2).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Alpine Cranberry) — Contraindicated in
pregnancy, nursing, and in children under 12 years of age. Since the urinary antisepsis depends
on an alkaline environment, acidifying herbs should be avoided (PH2). At 5 g/kg orl cat, the
leaves cause the same intoxication as a toxic dose of hydroquinone (HH2). Liver damage could
occur with long-term use or overdose, due to possible hepatotoxicity of the hydroquinones
released. Hydroquinone intoxication, apparently roughly dose dependent, may occur with many
Ericaceae, proportionate to their hydroquinone content. Without comparative analysis, we may
even add the warning to other blueberries, cranberries, and bearberries.