M
Dosages (Mugwort) — 0.5–2 g in infusion 2–3 ×/day (PH2); 1 tsp (1.2 g) herb/cup 2–3 ×/day
before meals (APA; BIS); 2–4 ml liquid herb extract (PNC); 0.5–5 ml liquid root extract (APA).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Mugwort) — Class 2b. Emmenagogue and
uterotonic (AHP). “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2).
May cause abortions or allergies (BIS). Commission E reports an abortive effect and allergic
reactions have been described (AEH). Oil allergenic, may cause dermatosis (FAD; PHR). Thera-
peutic administration is not recommended (PH2). EO is bactericidal and fungicidal. Moxibustion
lowers incidence of breech birth presentation (JAMA, Nov. 11, 1998).MUIRA PUAMA (Ptychopetalum olacoides Benth.) ++Activities (Muira Puama) — Aperitif (f; CRC; MAD); Aphrodisiac (1; ABS; APA; CRC; MAD;
PNC); Astringent (1; PNC); CNS Stimulant (1; ABS; APA; CRC; MAD); Dopaminergic (1; ABS);
Nervine (f; APA; CRC); Neurotonic (f; EFS); Noradrenergic (1; ABS); Panacea (f; CRC); Stimulant
(1; ABS; APA); Tonic (f; APA; CRC; MAD).
Indications (Muira Puama) — Anorexia (f; APA; CRC; MAD; PH2); Arthrosis (f; APA); Colic
(f; MAD); Debility (1; ABS); Diarrhea (f; APA; PH2; PNC); Dysentery (f; MAD); Dysmenorrhea
(f; APA; CRC; MAD); Dyspepsia (f; APA; CRC); Frigidity (f; APA); Hookworm (f; APA); Impo-
tence (1; ABS; APA; CRC; PH2; PNC); Lassitude (1; ABS); Neuralgia (f; CRC; MAD); Nerve (f;
ABS); Pain (f; APA); Paralysis (f; CRC; MAD); Poliomyelosis (f; APA); Rheumatism (f; APA;
CRC; MAD); Tremor (1; ABS).
Dosages (Muira Puama) — 2–4 ml liquid root extract (APA); 0.5–5 ml liquid root extract (PNC);
1 dropper prior to sex (APA); 15–25 drops fluid extract 2–3 days for aphrodisia (MAD); 5–8 drops
tincture for dysentery (MAD); 0.5–2 ml decoction or liquid extract 3 ×/day (10 parts dry herb, 2
parts grape brandy, 1 part glycerine) (PH2).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Muira Puama) — Class 1 (AHP). “Hazards
and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2). Brazilian scientists, Siquera
et al. (1998), mention that Amazon caboclos take the roots in alcohol for “nervous weakness,”
a syndrome with several symptoms: depression, lassitude, sexual impotence, and tremors. A
hydroalcoholic extract at 200 mg/kg potentiates yohimbine-induced lethality, reverses reserpine-
induced ptosis, and prevents apomorphine-induced stereotypy. The data suggest that muira puama
is a CNS active, interacting with the dopaminergic or noradrenergic systems. The authors
speculate that, since some of the symptoms resemble Parkinsonian symptoms, roots could have
antiparkinsonian effects. Their extracts did affect pharmacological models for depressions, impo-
tence, and tremors.MULLEIN (Verbascum spp.) ++Primarily Verbascum densiflorum Bertol (Synonym: V. thapsiforme Schrad.) and common mullein,
V. thapsus L. As so often, the Herbal PDR stresses the European rather than the common American
weed, V. thapsus. American entries apply mostly to V. thapsus, European to V. densiflorum.
Activities (Mullein) — Analgesic (1; FEL; WAM); Antiherpetic (1; BGB); Antiinflammatory (1;
APA; FAD; PNC); Antiperiodic (f; FEL); Antispasmodic (1; FAD; FEL; PED; WAM); Antiviral
(1; BGB); Astringent (1; APA; PED); Decongestant (1; APA); Demulcent (1; BGB; FEL; PNC;
WAM); Diuretic (f; APA; FEL; PHR; PNC); Emollient (f; BGB; PIP; PNC); Expectorant (2; KOM;
MAD; PH2; PIP; WAM); Mucilaginous (1; PED); Narcotic (f; FEL); Nervine (f; FEL); Pectoral
(1; BGB; MAD); Sedative (f; FEL); Vulnerary (1; PNC).