S
PNC); Hemostat (1; PHR); Hypotensive (1; WOI); Insectifuge (f; WOI); Irritant (f; PH2); Larvicide
(1; WOI); Litholytic (f; WOI); Myorelaxant (1; WOI); Piscicide (1; DEM; HH2; WOI); FNF);
Rubefacient (f; EFS); Sedative (f; WOI); Stimulant (f; DEP; EFS; PNC); Tonic (f; DEP); Uterotonic
(f; EFS); Vasoconstrictor (f; EFS); Vermifuge (f; DEP).
Indications (Smartweed) — Amenorrhea (f; MAD; PNC); Angina (f; MAD); Arthrosis (f; DAA);
Asthma (f; MAD); Bacteria (1; WOI); Bleeding (1; EFS; HH2; PHR; PH2); Bruise (f; HH2; PH2);
Cancer (1; HH2; JLH; MAD); Cancer, leg (f; JLH); Cancer, mesentery (f; JLH); Cancer, uterus (f;
JLH); Capillary Fragility (1; FAD); Chill (f; DEM; FAD); Cholera (f; MAD); Colic (f; DAA);
Cough (f; MAD); Cystosis (f; HH2; MAD; PH2); Dermatosis (f; DEP; MAD; WOI); Diarrhea (f;
DEM; PHR; PH2); Dropsy (f; DEM); Dysentery (f; MAD; PH2); Dysmenorrhea (f; FAD; MAD;
PH2); Dyspepsia (f; DEM; PH2); Dysuria (f; DEM; FAD; MAD); Edema (f; JLH; MAD); Enterosis
(f; MAD); Fever (f; DEM; EFS; FAD); Fibroma (f; JLH; MAD); Fistula (f; CEB); Gangrene (f;
MAD); Gas (f; DEP; EFS); Gastrosis (f; DEM; HH2; MAD); Gonorrhea (f; MAD); Gout (f; HH2;
PH2); Gravel (f; DEM); Headache (f; CEB; MAD); Hematuria (f; DEM; FAD); Hemoptysis (f;
MAD); Hemorrhoid (f; FAD; HH2; MAD; PH2); High Blood Pressure (1; WOI); Induration (f;
JLH); Inflammation (f; DEM); Insomnia (f; WOI); Itch (f; DEP); Jaundice (f; DAA; MAD);
Leukorrhea (f; MAD); Metrorrhagia (f; MAD); Mucososis (f; HH2); Nephrosis (f; DEM; HH2;
PH2); Nervousness (f; WOI); Pain (1; DEM; FAD; FNF; PHR; PH2); Rheumatism (1; FNF; PHR;
PH2); Scabies (f; PH2); Scald (f; DEM); Sore (f; CEB; MAD); Sprain (f; PH2); Stomatosis (f;
CEB); Stone (f; MAD; WOI); Strangury (f; DAA); Stroke (f; DAA); Swelling (f; DEM; JLH);
Toothache (f; MAD); Uterosis (f; FAD); Uterrhagia (f; MAD; PH2); Varicosis (f; PH2); VD (f;
PH2); Vomiting (f; PH2); Water Retention (f; EFS; FAD; HH2); Whitlow (f; JLH); Worm (f; DEP;
PNC); Wound (f; MAD; PH2).
Dosages (Smartweed) — 600–3750 mg herb fluid extract (MAD); 1 tsp herb/cup 3 ×/day
(PHR; PH2).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Smartweed) — Not covered (AHP).
“Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2). “Consumption
of larger quantities of the fresh kraut (= herb) can cause gastroenterosis” (PH2). Plant is
potentially allergenic (FAD).
Extracts (Smartweed) — Extract LD50 = 464 mg/kg ipr mus (MPI). Contains 2000–3000 ppm
silicic acid, 2000 ppm readily soluble (HH2). Alcoholic extract anti-implantation, IC60 = 200 mg/kg
rat. The Herbal PDR lists polygodial, an antihyperalgesic, which I translate as a pain reducing
compound. I myself have chewed it for toothache. Like so many other anesthetic toothache
compounds (e.g., spilanthin), this one, too, is a fish intoxicant. Noting all the pesticidal activities,
I’m not yet ready to give it a ++. Polygodial reportedly has activities also shared with the closely
related phytochemical warburganal. These are both hot pungent compounds, and probably explain
the name smartweed.
SMOOTH LOOFAH, LUFFA (Luffa aegyptiaca Mill.) ++Synonyms: Cucurbita luffa hort., Luffa cylindrica M. Roem., L. pentandra Roxb., Momordica
cylindrica L., M. luffa L.
Activities (Smooth Loofah) — Anticancer (1; KAP); Antileukemic (1; KAP); Antimelanomic
(1; ABS); Antiribosomal (1; ABS); Antiseptic (1; DAA); Aperitif (f; KAP); Bitter (1; HHB);
Carminative (f; DAA); Choleretic (f; KAP); Cytotoxic (1; ABS); Demulcent (f; KAP); Diuretic
(f; HHB; KAP); Emetic (f; DEP; HHB; KAP; UPW); Emmenagogue (f; DAA); Expectorant
(f; KAB; KAP); Hemolytic (1; JFM); Lactagogue (f; DAA; KAB; KAP); Laxative (f; DEP;