Handbook of Medicinal Herbs

O

ORDEAL BEAN, CALABAR BEAN

(Physostigma venenosum Balf.) X

Activities (Ordeal Bean) — Anticholinesterase (1; HH3); Anticuraroid (1; PH2); Antidote (f;

CRC); Antidote, curare (1; PHR); Cardiodepressant (1; PHR; PH2); Insecticide (1; UPW);

Mitotic (1; PH2); Myotic (1; CRC; UPW); Negative Chronotropic (1; PH2); Paralytic (1; CRC;

UPW); Parasiticide (1; CRC); Parasympathomimetic (1; HH3); Pediculicide (1; CRC); Peri-

staltic (1; PH2; UPW); Poison (1; CRC); Rodenticide (1; CRC; UPW); Sedative (f; CRC);

Spasmogenic (1; PH2).

Indications (Ordeal Bean) — Alzheimer’s (1; CRC; PHR; PH2); Arthrosis (f; CRC; HH3);

Bursitis (f; CRC); Cholera (f; HH3); Colic (f; CRC; HH3); Diabetes (f; CRC; HH3); Edema

(f; CRC; HH3); Epilepsy (f; HH3); Erysipelas (f; HH3); Fibrososis (f; CRC; HH3); Gastrosis

(f; HH3); Glaucoma (1; CRC; PHR; PH2); Insomnia (f; CRC); Lice (2; CRC); Mucososis (f;

HH3); Myasthenia (1; CRC; UPW); Nervousness (f; CRC); Ophthalmia (1; CRC; HH3);

Parasite (1; CRC); Psoriasis (f; CRC; HH3); Rheumatism (f; CRC; HH3); Spasm (f; CRC);

Tetanus (f; CRC; HH3).

Dosages (Ordeal Bean) — Too dangerous for internal use (JAD); 1–2 eye drops 3 ×/day (PH2).

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Ordeal Bean) — Not covered (AHP).

Lethal dose for adult man = 6–10 drops physostigmine (ca. 2–3 beans). Symptoms of intoxi-

cation: cyanosis diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, salivation, spasms, stupor, sweating, tachycardia,

twitching, vomiting, and finally death through asphyxiation (PH2). Lithium chloride may

increase toxicity (HH3).