Handbook of Medicinal Herbs

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Extracts (Alpine Cranberry) — Should we be pleased or disenchanted that three flavonoids in
this species increases cyclooxygenase activity? Anthocyanins and polyphenols in berries of several
Ribes, Rubus, and Vaccinium species 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)

ALPINE RAGWORT (Senecio nemorensis L.) X

PH2 may have been confused in assigning the common names life root and squaw weed to
this species, more often reserved for American S. aureus. Some data (HHB) apply to ssp.
fuchsii.

Activities (Alpine Ragwort) — Carcinogenic (1; HHB; PH2); Hemostat (1; HHB; PH2); Hepa-
totoxic (1; HHB; PH2); Hypoglycemic (1; PH2); Hypotensive (f; BRU).

Indications (Alpine Ragwort) — Bleeding (1; BRU; HHB; PH2); Diabetes (1; PH2); High
Blood Pressure (f; BRU; PH2); Hyperglycemia (1; PH2); Odontosis (f; PH2); Uterostimulant
(f; PH2).

Dosages (Alpine Ragwort) — Do not take (JAD). Steep 1 tsp 5–10 minutes in cup hot water; take
several times a day as needed (PH2). (Still, PH2 says it should not be taken internally.)

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Alpine Ragwort) — Not covered (AHP).
Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in considerable amounts and varieties, which can be
carcinogenic, hepatotoxic, and mutagenic. Use of Senecio species can result in potentially fatal
hepatic veno-occlusive disease in humans, with symptoms of abdominal pain and vomiting
with ascites. PAs are toxic to humans, with liver damage with cirrhosis and ascites, or seneciosis
(VOD) reported in almost all cases of severe or fatal intoxications, from intakes of 0.5 mg/kg
to 3.3 mg/kg (AEH).

ALPINE ROSE (Rhododendron ferrugineum L.) X

Activities (Alpine Rose) — Astringent (1; HHB); Diuretic (f; HHB); Hypotensive (f; PH2);
Litholytic (f; HH2); Sedative (f; HHB).

Indications (Alpine Rose) — Arthrosis (f; PHR); Calculus (f; PHR; PH2); Gas (f; PH2); Gout (f;
HHB; PHR; PH2); High Blood Pressure (f; PHR; PH2); Hypertonia (f; PHR); Insomnia (f; HHB);
Migraine (f; PHR; PH2); Myalgia (f; PHR; PH2); Nervousness (f; HHB); Neuralgia (f; PHR; PH2);
Orchosis (f; PH2); Rheumatism (f; HHB; PHR; PH2); Senility (f; PH2); Stone (f; HHB; HH2);
Water Retention (f; HHB).

Dosages (Alpine Rose) — 5–6 g in infusion (HH2; PHR; PH2).

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Alpine Rose) — Not covered (AHP).
Commission E reports for leaf, toxic diterpenes may be present and chronic use may lead to
hydroquinone poisoning (due to the presence of arbutin) (AEH; HH2). Signs of intoxication:
arrhythmia, bradycardia, cold sweats, cramps, diarrhea, dyspnea, hypotension, paresthesia,
poor coordination, salivation, stupor, finally leading to possible death through apnea or cardiac
failure (PH2). There are no reports of serious instances of poisoning of patients used to taking
it as an infusion in folk medicine (daily dose 5–6 g).