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diarrhea, and pancreatitis. Menthol in nasal preparations may cause spasm of the glottis in young
children (AEH1). APA kindly says it does not contain menthol, but I’ll bet that many spearmint clones
do contain menthol. PH2 says that spearmint oil possesses a weak potential for sensitization, due to
its menthol and l-carvone (PH2). I suppose the many species with more of these ingredients would
have stronger potential for sensitization. See my database for menthol- and l-carvone-containing plants.
Nitpickologists will no doubt say that children should avoid all plants, not just EOs, containing menthol.SPEEDWELL (Veronica officinalis L.) ++Activities (Speedwell) — Alterative (f; FEL; PNC); Antidiaphoretic (f; PH2); Antiscorbutic (f;
EFS); Antiulcer (1; HH2; PH2); Aperitif (f; EFS); Astringent (1; FAD; PH2); Depurative (f; EFS;
FAD); Diaphoretic (f; EFS; FAD); Digestive (f; EFS); Diuretic (f; EFS; FAD; FEL); Emetic (f;
DEM); Emmenagogue (f; EFS; FAD); Expectorant (f; EFS; FAD; FEL; HH2; PH2); Stomachic (f;
EFS); Tonic (f; FAD; FEL); Tranquilizer (f; EFS); Vulnerary (f; EFS).
Indications (Speedwell) — Adiposity (f; MAD); Alactea (f; DEM); Anorexia (f; EFS); Arthrosis
(f; BRU; PHR; PH2); Asthma (f; FAD; HHB; HH2; MAD); Boil (f; DEM; MAD); Bronchosis (f;
FAD; HHB; HH2; MAD); Burn (f; MAD); Catarrh (f; FEL; HHB; MAD); Childbirth (f; DEM);
Chill (f; DEM); Cholecystosis (f; MAD); Cough (f; DEM; FAD; FEL); Cramp (f; MAD); Derma-
tosis (f; DEM; FAD; FEL; PH2); Diarrhea (f; HHB); Earache (f; DEM); Eczema (f; MAD);
Enterosis (f; MAD; PHR; PH2); Fever (f; EFS; FAD); Gastrosis (f; MAD; PHR; PH2); Gout (f;
FAD; MAD; PH2); Hemoptysis (f; MAD); Hepatosis (f; PH2); Infection (f; HHB; MAD); Inflam-
mation (1; PH2); Itch (f; PH2); Jaundice (f; FAD; FEL; MAD); Nephrosis (f; FAD; FEL; MAD;
PH2); Nervousness (f; EFS; PH2); Odontosis (f; MAD); Pharyngosis (f; HH2; PHR; PH2); Pul-
monosis (f; FAD; MAD); Respirosis (f; PH2); Rheumatism (f; BRU; FAD; PH2); Scrofula (f;
DEM; FEL); Sore Throat (1; PH2); Splenosis (f; MAD); Stomatosis (f; PHR; PH2); Sweat (f;
PH2); Tuberculosis (f; MAD); Ulcer (1; HH2; PHR; PH2); Urethrosis (f; PH2); UTI (f; PHR);
Vertigo (f; MAD); Water Retention (f; EFS; FAD; FEL); Wound (f; MAD; PHR; PH2).
Dosages (Speedwell) — 1.5 g herb/cup 2–3 ×/day (HH2; PHR).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Speedwell) — Class 1. Regulated in the U.S.
as an allowable flavoring agent in alcoholic beverages only (AHP). “Hazards and/or side effects
not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2). Speedwell prevented and speeded healing of
ulcers in experimental animals (PHR).SPICEBUSH (Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume) +Synonyms: Benzoin aestivale (L.) Nees, Laurus aestivalis L., Laurus benzoin L.