S
(f; DEM); Itch (f; DEM); Leukorrhea (f; FAD); Mucososis (f; DEM); Poison Ivy (f; FAD);
Pulmonosis (f; DEM); Rash (f; FAD); Rheumatism (f; FAD); Roundworm (f; DEM); Scrofula (f;
DEM); Sprain (f; DEM); Stomachache (f; DEM); Swelling (f; DEM); Tuberculosis (f; DEM);
Worm (f; DEM).SWEET GALE (Myrica gale L.) ++Synonyms: M. gale var. tomentosa C. DC., M. tomentosa (C. DC.) Asch. & Graebn.
Taxonomists sometimes have trouble distinguishing M. cerifera L., M. gale L., and M. pensylvanica
Mirb., so I suspect the herbalists and collectors may mix them on occasion. Rafinesque, an eccentric
MD, circa 1839, said that all species were equivalent from the medicinal point of view (CEB).
Activities (Sweet Gale) — Antioxidant (1; ABS); Antiviral (1; ABS); Astringent (f; PNC; PH2);
Bacteristat (1; FAD; PNC); Diuretic (f; CEB; DEM; FAD); Emetic (f; CEB); Errhine (f; CEB);
Expectorant (f; CEB); Fungistat (1; FAD; PNC); Hepatoprotective (f; ABS); Insecticide (f; CEB);
Insectifuge (1; ABS; CEB); Narcotic (f; CEB); Sedative (1; ABS); Sialagogue (f; CEB); Stimulant
(f; CEB); Stomachic (f; CEB; EFS); Toxic (1; PH2); Vermifuge (f; CEB; PHR; PH2).
Indications (Sweet Gale) — Alopecia (f; CEB); Bacteria (1; FAD; PNC); Bite (f; CEB); Bleeding
(f; CEB); Boil (f; CEB); Cancer (f; JLH); Cancer, anus (f; JLH); Cancer, liver (f; JLH); Cancer,
spleen (f; JLH); Cholera (f; CEB); Colic (f; CEB); Condyloma (f; JLH); Diarrhea (f; CEB);
Dermatosis (f; PH2); Dysentery (f; CEB); Dyspepsia (f; PHR; PH2); Epistaxis (f; CEB); Fever (f;
CEB); Flu (1; ABS); Fungus (1; FAD; PNC); Gonorrhea (f; DEM; FAD); Headache (f; CEB);
Hepatosis (f; ABS); Herpes (1; ABS); Hysteria (f; CEB); Insomnia (1; ABS); Itch (f; CEB; PHR);
Metrorrhagia (f; CEB); Nervousness (1; ABS); Palsy (f; CEB); Parasite (f; EFS); Sclerosis (f; JLH);
Scrofula (f; JLH); Sore (f; CEB); Sore Throat (f; CEB); Splenosis (f; JLH); Swelling (f; CEB);
Toothache (f; CEB); Typhoid (f; CEB); Uterosis (f; CEB); VD (f; DEM; FAD); Virus (1; ABS);
Wart (f; JLH); Water Retention (f; CEB; DEM; FAD); Worm (f; CEB; PHR; PH2).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Sweet Gale) — Not covered (AHP). EO is
toxic (PNC). “The mixing of the plant with beer, as practiced in the Middle Ages, is said to have
led to manic episodes” (PHR).
Extracts (Sweet Gale) — Methylated dihydrochalcones are bacteristat and fungistat (PNC). Myrig-
alone-B, from the fruits, is a potent antioxidant that inhibits lipid peroxidation. It may therefore help
protect liver tissue from hepatotoxins (maybe even the alcohol in sweet-gale-beverages). Simpson
et al. (1996) report antiviral activity for extracts. Influenza A virus and a bacteriophage of Pseudomo-
nas procyanea were suppressed by direct contact with the extract, probably due to tannins.SWEET GOLDENROD (Solidago odora Aiton) ++With good reason, many authors have taken a generic approach to Solidago. EFS aggregates S.
odora and S. virgaurea L. PH2 confesses that S. canadensis L., C. gigantea Aiton, and S. virgaurea
L. have been interchangeably mixed in the market. Few of the compilers, including yours truly,
could positively identify which species is in the apothecary jar, and probably none of the chemical
studies are vouchered. While I have maintained citations for several species, I think the identities
are all suspect.
Activities (Sweet Goldenrod) — Antispasmodic (f; EFS); Aperient (f; FEL); Astringent (f; EFS;
FEL); Carminative (f; EFS; FEL); Diaphoretic (f; EFS; HHB); Digestive (f; EFS); Diuretic (f; EFS;
FEL; HHB); Expectorant (f; EFS); Hemostat (f; EFS); Stimulant (f; EFS); Tonic (f; FEL); Vulnerary
(f; EFS).