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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. |
| Bindweed | Hedge Bindweed | Jalap Bindweed | Sea Bindweed |
 CAUTION: Should not be used for an extended period of time. |
A twining plant of the morning glory family native to Asia with arrow-shaped leaves and yellow flowers, found growing on low ground and spreading by running rootstock. The root is the source of the drug Scammony, long used as a purgative. Scammony is a gummy resin obtained from the milky juice of the root by cutting the top of the root at an angle about 2 inches below the stalk; the juice is captured and gradually hardens and is sold as Scammony. The name is derived from the Latin convolvo - "to intertwine".
PART USED: Root (milky juice of the leaves has also been employed as a purge in 1/2 oz doses).
MEDICINAL:
Cathartic, diuretic, hepatic.A drastic cathartic which works much like Jalap, but is more active and irritating and should not be used when inflammatory conditions of the alimentary canal are present.Was once used as a hydrogogue in cases of dropsy.Once used in the treatment of rheumatic and chronic diseases that would benefit from a purge.Leaves were applied externally to swollen feet.At one time the plant was gathered fresh just before blooming and boiled in ale to which nutmeg and clove had been added and the resulting decoction used as a strong and violent purge (only the robust dared to apply! The foolish didn't live to talk about it).
DOSE: TRADITIONAL DOSAGES FOR PROFESSIONAL NOTE ONLYImage
| CAUTION: Should not be used for an extended period of time. |
Deep-rooted, perennial, herbacious trailing or twining vine found in waste places, thickets, and cultivated ground in the eastern half of the United States and Canada as well as Europe and Asia. Common in England, but appear less in Scotland. Stem is smooth and angular from 3 to 10 feet, growing from a running rootstock. Leaves alternate, arrow-shaped, on thin petioles. Funnel-shaped flowers are white or pink with white stripes and grow solitary on long, quadrangular peduncles from the leaf axils. Flowers close at night and during cloudy weather.
HARVEST: Flowering plant for decoctions; rootstock to be dried and powdered.MEDICINAL:Mainly used as a purgative, but also as a cholagogue and febrifuge.Has also been used to reduce inflammation of mucous membranes.Fresh juice produces constipation.
DOSE: TRADITIONAL DOSAGES FOR PROFESSIONAL NOTE ONLYVETERINARY:OTHER:
| CAUTION: Jalap resin is subject to legal restrictions in some countries. Seeds may be harmful if eaten. The drug Scammony (or Jalap) is prepared from the resin. |
Climbing evergreen vine to 10 feet, native to the eastern slopes of the Mexican Andes, hardy to 32 degrees F. Root is a purple-red, turnip-like tuber, much wrinkled. Stems twining. Leaves ovate to heart-shaped and pointed. Flowers purple-pink and funnel-shaped, 5 inches across which appear in autumn. Unpleasant taste.
PROPAGATION: By seed in spring; by semi-ripe cuttings in summer.MEDICINAL:Acrid, purgative.Has been used in Folk Medicine for constipation, colic and intestinal parasites.Has been added to laxative and carminative formulations to allay griping.
DOSE: TRADITIONAL DOSAGES FOR PROFESSIONAL NOTE ONLYImageFound growing on sandy sea-shores. Stems do not climb, but remain buried beneath the sand with the leaves and flowers rising above the surface. Leaves kidney-shaped, alternate on foot-long stalks. Flowers single on angular stalks; bracts large, egg-shaped and close to the flower which is pale rose striped with red. Seeds are distributed by sea currents.
The juice which oozes from the stalks and root hardens into a type of resin and is used as a purge like Scammony.