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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.


BEGGAR-LICE
aka Beggar's lice
LUGUMINOSAE
(Desmodium styracifolium)
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A vine whose name is derived from the Greek word meaning 'a chain' in reference to the jointed seed pods which contain small loose fruits which cling to clothing.

PART USED: Whole plant

RELATED SPECIES:
D. pulchellum: In Chinese medicine, the whole plant is used to treat rheumatic fever, infant confulsions, toothache, to dissolve internal blood clots, and to aid digestion.
D. triflorum: Whole plant has been used to treat dysentary.
D. triquetrum: Whole plant has been used to expel intestinal worms, to treat spasms in infants, for indigestion, for piles and abcesses.

MEDICINAL USES:
Has been used in Chinese medicine for treating kidney stones and colic.
Japanese researchers have discovered a compound in the plant which decreases the amount of calcium and increases the amount of citrate excreted in urine which decreases the likelihood of forming kidney stones.



©2002 by Ernestina Parziale, CH

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