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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. |
CAUTION! Leaves can be POISONOUS if consumed over a long period of time. High tannin content of leaves can cause digestive problems. According to the German Commission E Monographs, high doses on prolonged use have produced the following effects in animal testing: initial cachexia, anemia, icterus, acute excitation, disturbances of tonicity, followed by possible death after chronic ingestion of 1.5 grams per day. Which is another way of saying malnutrition, lowered red blood cell levels, yellowing of skin and whites of eyes all in advance of possible death. Theraputic use of the leaf is NOT CONSIDERED JUSTIFIABLE in view of the lack of documentation on effecacy weighed against risks. Fresh berries can have a laxative effect on some people and a constipating one on others. |
John Gerard (1597): "...they cure the bloody flixe proceeding of choler." |