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| DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied. |
| Balmony | Balmony, Indian |
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A perennial plant of the Figwort family usually found growing sparingly in the eastern United States and Canada on the margins of swamps, wet woods and rivers. Native to North America it is an erect plant from 2 to 4 feet high, smooth-stemmed (slightly 4-sided), bearing opposite oblong leaves (stalkless or nearly so and toothed) and short dense terminal spikes of two-lipped white (or purplish) or cream or rose flowers appearing on a spike. The lower lip is bearded in the throat and the heart-shaped anthers and filaments are woolly. Leaves have a slight, somewhat tea-like odor and a very bitter taste.
MEDICINAL:
Extremely bitter herb that acts mainly as a tonic for the liver and digestive system; antidepressant, aperient, laxative effects, stimulant; leaves have anti-bilious, anthelmintic, tonic and detergent properties with a peculiar action on the liver; increases gastric and salivary secretions and stimulates appetite; laxative in small doses but purgative in large doses.Leaves were included in a list of Canadian medicinal plants.Has been used internally for gallstones with jaundice, chronic liver disease, colic, constipation, anorexia and poor digestion (especially in the elderly and during convalescence), chronic malarial complaints; leaves have been used for consumption, dyspepsia, debility and jaundice in diseases of the liver and for worms in children (powder or decoction used internally or in injection).Has been considered a specific tonic for biliousness, jaundice, constipation, dyspepsia and sluggish liver. Has been considered a specific in gallstones that lead to congestive jaundice.Has been used externally as an ointment for inflamed tumors, irritable ulcers, inflamed breasts, piles, sores and eczema.Was used by Native Americans as a laxative and purgative; they used a strong decoction of the whole plant for eruptive diseases, piles, hemorrhoids, sores; an ointment was used by early settlers for inflamed tumors.Has been used for eruptions of the skin.An ointment made from the fresh leaves was used for piles.Has been combined with butternut (Juglans cinerea) for constipation.Has been combined with Gentiana lutea (Great Yellow Gentian) and Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal) for jaundice.Has been combined with Cranesbill and Goldenseal for vaginal discharge; when discharge begins to lessen dosage was reduced and continued for 1 month before ceasing.Has been combined with diuretics for dropsy with chronic liverproblems and digestive sluggishness.Has been combined with Fringe Tree bark for gallbladder problems.Considered suitable for children and the elderly, especially for gastro-intestinal disturbances after a prolonged illness.Was used by the Malacites of Canada for prevention of pregnancy; it is not known if it was effective.According to Henrietta A. Diers Rau (Healing with Herbs, 1980), if depression is present, balmony should be added to alteratives.
DOSE: TRADITIONAL DOSAGES FOR PROFESSIONAL NOTE ONLYHOMEOPATHIC:ImageExtremely bitter member of the Gentian family of which chiretta is a common name applied to several plants sold in India. It is native to Himalayan meadows and slopes and similar in chemistry to the Great Yellow Gentian (Gentiana lutea).MEDICINAL:Tonic, hepatic, stomachic, febrifuge.Has been used for malaria and tuberculosis due to presence of xanthones.Has been used for liver and gall bladder disease (and related problems), dyspepsia, constipation, debility following an illness, and cachexic conditions marked by loss of appetite and poor digestion. It is said to protect the liver against carbon tetrachloride poisoning due to the presence of the iridoid glycoside.Has been used to lower fevers and improve digestion.
DOSE: TRADITIONAL DOSAGES FOR PROFESSIONAL NOTE ONLY