Resolvent Health Dictionary

(L.) DC.

Family: Iridaceae.

Habitat: Introduced from China; cultivated all over India, up to an altitude of 1,800 m.

Folk: Surajkaanti (Assam), Dasbaha, Dasbichandi (Bengal).

Action: Rhizomes—expectorant, deobstruent, resolvent, used in tonsillitis, chest and liver complaints (antiviral against pneumonia).

Presence of alkaloids is reported from the plant, glucoside, belamcan- din from the roots. The leaves and flowers contain a glycoflavone. The seeds tested positive for leucoantho- cyanins.... belamcanda chinensis

Pers.

Synonym: B. persica (Burm.f.) Kuntze.

Family: Acanthaceae.

Habitat: Punjab and western Rajasthan.

English: Acanthus.

Ayurvedic: Utangana, Kaamavridhi, Chatushpatri, Ucchataa (equated with Scirpus or Cyperus sp. during the classical period; with Shveta Gunjaa, Abrus sp. during the medieval period.)

Unani: Utangan.

Folk: Karadu (Maharashtra).

Action: Roots—diuretic. Used for urinary discharges and dys- menorrhoea. Seeds—deobstruent, resolvent, diuretic (used in strangury and sexual debility). Powdered plant is applied locally on infections of the genitals and on burns.

Key application: Seed in dysuria and impotency. (The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India.)

A benzoxazine glucoside, blephar- in, has been isolated from seeds, and a saponin, which on hydrolysis gave lupeol.

Dosage: Dried seed—3-6 g powder. (API Vol. IV.)... blepharis edulis

L.

Family: Liliaceae.

Habitat: Kashmir at 1,700-3,000 m.

English: Crown Imperial, Imperial Fritillary.

Action: Bulbs—emollient, diuretic, resolvent, spasmolytic, hypotensive, cardiotonic.... fritillaria imperialis

Linn.

Family: Geraniaceae.

Habitat: Western Himalayas from Kashmir to Garhwal at 2,0002,700 m.

English: Herb-Robert Geranium.

Action: Haemostatic, astringent, antidiarrhoeic, styptic, antidiabetic.

The herb has a disagreeable odour and a bitter, saline and astringent taste. Applied externally as a resolvent to tumours.

In Western herbal, the herb is used for diarrhoea, to improve functioning of liver and gallbladder and to prevent the formation of calculi.

The herb contains several flavonoids including rutin. A ethanolic extract can inhibit the growth of E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus.... geranium robertianum

(L.) Griff.

Synonym: G. hortense Nees. Justica picta L.

Family: Acanthaceae.

Habitat: A native to Polynesia; introduced into Indian gardens.

English: Caricature Plant.

Folk: Kaalaa-aduusaa (Maharashtra). Ysjudemaram (Tamil Nadu).

Action: Leaves—emollient and resolvent; applied to swellings and ulcers. (Used as a substitute for Adhatoda vasica).... graptophyllum picum

(L.) DC.

Synonym: G. nudicaulis Arn.

Family: Asteraceae, Compositae.

Habitat: Eastern Himalaya, Sikkim, Assam, and Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Action: Plant—emollient, resolvent. Used as a poultice in erysipelas and for tumours in the breast. Root—used both externally and internally for enhancing blood circulation especially when blue spots and blotches result from blows. The powdered root, mixed with tea, is given to parturient women. Leaves—used for poulticing pimples. The juice is used asa gargle for inflammations of the throat.... gynura pseudo-china

Solanum spp.

Solanaceae

Solanums comprise a very important group of medicinal plants having multifarious uses.

These plants belong to the family Solanaceae and genus Solanum. A number of species are reported to be medicinal which are briefly described below.

1. S. anguivi Lam. syn. S. indicum auct. non Linn.

Eng: Poison berry; San: Brhati, Simhi;

Hin: Barhauta, Birhatta;

Mal: Puthirichunda, Cheruchunda;

Tam: Karimulli, Puthirichundai;

Kan: Ramagulla;

Tel: Cittimulaga, Tellamulaka It is found throughout the tropics, in plains and at low elevations. It is much branched, very prickly undershrub, 0.3-1.5m in height. Leaves are simple, large, ovate, subentire, sinuate or lobed. Flowers are blue in extra-axillary cymes having stellately hairy and prickly peduncles. Fruits are globose berries, reddish or dark yellow with smooth or minutely pitted seeds. Its roots are useful in vitiated conditions of vata and kapha, odontalgia, dyspepsia, flatulence, colic, verminosis, diarrhoea, pruritus, leprosy, skin diseases, strangury, cough, asthma, bronchitis, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, fever, cardiac disorders and vomiting. Roots bitter, acrid, astringent, thermogenic, anodyne, digestive, carminative, anthelmintic, stomachic, constipating, resolvent, demulcent, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, aphrodisiac, emmenagogue, febrifuge and cardiotonic.

2. S. dulcamara Linn.

Eng: Bittersweet, Bitter night shade; San: Kakmachi; Pun: Rubabarik It is found in tropical situations in India and Sikkim. The plant is rich in alkaloidal glycosides like solamarine, tomatidenol, solasodine and soladulcine. The berry and twig are alterative, antisyphilitic, diaphoretic, resolvent, narcotic, diuretic, antirheumatic and used in liver disorders and psoriasis.

3. S. erianthum D. Don, syn. S. verbascifolium auct. non Linn.

San: Vidari;

Hin: Asheta;

Mal: Malachunda;

Tam: Malaichundai, Anaisundaikkai

Pun: Kalamena;

Tel: Rasagadi

The plant is distributed over the tropical and subtropical zones of India. The plant contains alkaloids and steroidal sapogenins. Leaves and fruits contain solasodine, solasodiene, solafloridine, diosgenin, vespertilin and pregnenolone. The plant is CNS depressant, antiinflammatory and useful in burns.

4. S. melongena Linn.

Eng: Brinjal, Egg plant; San: Varttaki;

Hin: Bengan, Badanjan;

Mal: Vazhuthina

Tam: Kattirikkai;

Kan: Badanekaya, Doddabadane;

Tel: Vankaya, Niruvanga

It is mainly cultivated as a vegetable throughout the tropics and subtropics. It is an erect or suffrutescent, herbaceous, armed or unarmed perennial shrub. Leaves are simple, large, entire and lobed. Flowers are blue, in clusters of 2-5. Fruits are large, white, yellow or dark purple berries of different shapes capped with thick persistent calyx. Seeds are many, yellow or cream and discoid. The roots, leaves and unripe fruits are useful in cholera, bronchitis, asthma, odontalgia and fever. The roots are laxative, analgesic and cardiotonic. Leaves are sialagogue, narcotic and antiherpetic. The unripe fruits are bitter, acrid, sweet, aphrodisiac, cardiotonic and haematinic.

5. S. melongena var. incanum (Linn.) Prain syn. S. incanum Linn., S. coagulens Forsk.

San: Brihati;

Hin: Baigan;

Mal: Cheruvazhuthina

It is a herbaceous prickly plant found in warm humid tropics. It is grown almost throughout the year in the plains and during summer on the hills. It grows 0.6-2m in height. Leaves are simple, alternate lobed. Flowers are blue or white, 5 lobed, calyx with spines. Fruits are ellipsoid berries. The plant is a constituent of the dasamoola which helps to overcome vitiated tridoshas and cures dyspepsia, fever, respiratory and cardiac disorders, skin ailments, vomiting, ulcers and poisonous affections. In Ayurveda the formulations like Brihatyadi Kashaya, dashamoolarishta, Indukantaghritam, Dasamoolaharithaki, etc are the important preparations with the roots. It is also used in the treatment of toothache and sore throat. The fruit is reported to stimulate the intrahepatic metabolism of cholesterol. Roots are antiasthmatic and stimulant. Leaves are used in cholera, bronchitis and asthma. Fruits are useful in liver complaints.

6. S. nigrum Linn. syn. S. rubrum Mill.

Eng: Black night shade; San: Kakamachi;

Hin: Makoy, Gurkkamai;

Mal: Karimthakkali;

Tam: Manathakkali, Milagutakkali;

Kan: Kakarndi;

Tel: Kamachi, Kachi

It is seen wild throughout India. It is an erect, divaricately branched, unarmed, suffrutescent annual herb. Leaves are ovate or oblong, sinuate-toothed or lobed and glabrous. Flowers are 3-8 in extra-axillary drooping subumbellate cymes. Fruits are purplish black or reddish berries. Seeds are many, discoid, yellow, minutely pitted. The whole plant is useful in vitiated conditions of tridosha, rheumatalgia, swellings, cough, asthma, bronchitis, wounds, ulcers, flatulence, dyspepsia, strangury, hepatomegaly, otalgia, hiccough, opthalmopathy, vomiting, cardiopathy, leprosy, skin diseases, fever, splenomegaly, haemarrhoids, nephropathy, dropsy and general debility. The plant is bitter, acrid, emollient, antiseptic, antiinflammatory, expectorant, anodyne, vulnerary, digestive, laxative, diuretic, cardiotonic, depurative, diaphoretic, febrifuge, rejuvenating, sedative, alterant and tonic.

7. S. spirale Roxb.

Hin: Munguskajur

It is seen wild in Assam and Khasi hills in India. Its root is diuretic and narcotic.

8. S. stramoniifolium Jacq., syn. S. ferox auct. non Linn.

San: Garbhada;

Hin: Rambaigan;

Mal: Anachunda;

Tam: Anaichundai;

Tel: Mulaka

It is observed in India in the states of Assam, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Its berries contain glycoalkaloids such as solasonine and solasodine. Its roots and berries are bechic, antiasthmatic, antirheumatic, antiviral, anticancerous and spermicidal.

9. S. surattense Burm. F. syn. S. xanthocarpum schrad. & Wendl., S. jacquinii Willd.

Eng: Yellow-berried nightshade; San: Kantakari, Nidigdhika;

Hin: Remgani,Kateli;

Mal: Kantakarichunda;

Tam: Kantankattiri;

Kan: Nelagulli;

Tel: Callamulaga

It is found throughout India and Pakistan in dry situations as weed on roadsides and wastelands. It is prickly, diffuse, bright green, suffrutescent, perennial undershrub, with zigzag branches. Leaves are ovate-oblong, hairy on both sides and armed on the midrib and the nerves. Flowers are bluish purple, in extra-axillary cymes. Fruits are glabrous, globular drooping berry, yellow or white with green veins, surrounded by the calyx. Seeds are many, small, reniform, smooth and yellowish brown.

The whole plant is useful in vitiated conditions of vata and kapha, helminthiasis, dental caries, inflammations, flatulence, constipation, dyspepsia, anorexia, leprosy, skin diseases, hypertension, fever, cough, asthma, bronchitis, hiccough, lumbago, haemorrhoids and epilepsy. The plant is bitter, acrid, thermogenic, anthelmintic, antiinflammatory, anodyne, digestive, carminative, appetiser, stomachic, depurative, sudorific, febrifuge, expectorant, laxative, stimulant, diuretic, rejuvenating, emmenagogue and aphrodisac. Fruits contain solasonine, solamargine and solasodine.

10. S. torvum Sw.

Eng: West Indian Turkey Berry;

Hin,

Ben: Titbaigan;

Mal: Kattuchunda;

Kan: Kadu Sunde;

Tam: Sundaikai, Amarakai;

Tel: Kundavustic, Kotuvestu; Ass: Hathibhekuri

It is seen throughout tropical India, particularly in Orissa, Bihar and Manipur. The plant is CVS active and used in splenomegaly. Fruits and leaves contain solasonine, solasodine, jurubine, jurubidine, torvonin, torvogenin, chlorogenin, paniculogenin, sisalogenone, neosolaspigenin and solaspigenin.

11. S. trilobatum Linn.

Eng: Climbing Brinjal; San: Alarka;

Mal: Tutavalam;

Tam: Tuduvalai;

Kan: Mullumusta;

Tel: Telavuste

It is mostly seen in South and Western India. The plant contains alkamine and solamarine. The berry and flowers are bechic and used in bronchitis. The alkaloid solamarine is antibiotic and possesses antitumour activity.

12. S. viarum Dunal, syn. S. Khasianum C. B. Clarke

Hin: Kantakari

It is widely distributed in Khasi, Jaintia and Naga hills of Assam and Manipur upto 2000m and in Sikkim, West Bengal, Orissa and in the Niligiris. The plant and berries contain solasonine (which on hydrolysis yields solasodine), solamargine, khasianine, nantigenin, solasodine, diosgenin and saponin-solakhasianin. The plant is spasmolytic and CNS active. The berry is a source of solasodine used in the synthesis of corticosteroidal hormones.

Agrotechnology: The agrotechnology for the solanaceous group of plants are almost similar. They come up very well in tropical and subtropical climate upto 2000m altitude. They can be raised on a variety of soils good in organic matter. Propagation is by seeds. The seedlings are first raised in the nursery and transplanted to the main field 30-45 days after sowing when the plants attain 8-10cm height. During rainy season, planting is done on ridges while during summer in furrows, at a spacing ranging from 30-90cm depending upon the stature and spreading habit of the plant. The transplanted seedlings should be given temporary shade for 2-4 days during summer. FYM or compost at 20-25t/ha is applied at the time of land preparation. A moderate fertiliser dose of 75:40:40 N, P2O5, K2O/ha may be given. P is given as basal dose, N and K are applied in 2-3 split doses. One or two intercultural operations are needed to control weeds. The plants need earthing up after weeding and topdressing. Irrigation is needed at 3-4 days interval during summer and on alternate days during fruiting period. Plants need staking to avoid lodging due to heavy bearing. Shoot borers, mealy bugs, leaf webbers and miners are noted on the crop, which can be controlled by spraying mild insecticides. Root knot nematode, wilting and mosaic diseases are also noted on the crop. Field sanitation, crop rotation and burning of crop residues are recommended.... solanums

Linn.

Family: Curciferace; Brassicaceae.

Habitat: North-West Himalayas.

Folk: Gonyuch (Ladakh).

Action: Plant—depurative, antilith- ic, diuretic, stomachic, antiscorbutic. An infusion is given for liver and kidney diseases. Also used as a resolvent in skin affections.

The leaves show dose-dependent increase of diuretic activity; also increase in potassium excretion in urine.

The leaves contain cholesterol, stig- masterol and beta-sitosterol.... lepidium latifolium

Linn.

Habitat: Cultivated and naturalized throuhout India. Wild in the Sub-Himalayan tract up to 1,800 m.

English: Persian Lilac, Pride of India.

Ayurvedic: Mahaanimba, Ramyaka, Dreka. (Neem is equated with Azadirachta indica.)

Unani: Bakaayan.

Siddha/Tamil: Malaivembu.

Action: Leaf—diuretic, anthelmintic, antilithic. Leaf and flower—febrifuge, sedative, em- menagogue. Leaf, fruit and stem bark—antileprotic. Leaf, flower, fruit, root bark—deobstruent, resolvent. Seed oil—antirheumatic, insecticidal. Leaves, bark and fruit—insect repellent. Gum— used in spleen enlargement. Heart- wood—an aqueous extract, used in asthma.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia ofIn- dia indicated the use of the dried stem bark in increased frequency and turbidity of urine, skin diseases, nausea, emesis, asthma, gastroenteritis, giddiness and vertigo.

The bitter constituents are present exclusively in the pericarp, not in the kernel as in the case of Neem fruit. Bakayanin has been isolated from the pericarp (bitter in dilutions of 1 in 10,000).

The heartwood also yielded bakaya- nin and a lactone, bakalactone. Leaves gave quercitrin and rutin and tetranor- triterpenoids, salanin and vilasinin.

An infusion of the bark is effective against ascariasis. The activity resides in the inner bark which is bitter but not astringent (outer bark contains tannins and is astringent).

The ethanolic extract of the leaves is fungicidal and antibacterial. The activity is attributed to azadrine and me- liotannic acid.

The fruits are considered poisonous to man and animals; contain melianon- inol, melianol, melianone, meliandi- ol, vanillin and vanillic acid. Vanillic acid analogues show micro- and macro-filaricidal activity.

Gedunin, present in the plant, inhibits Plasmodium falciparum, while the seed extract does not show anti- malarial activity against P. berghei.

The plant exhibited sedative and psychostimulant properties. Antitu- mour and antiviral activities have also been reported. Intraperitoneal administration of partially purified extracts of fresh green leaves reduced the spread of Tacaribe virus (that causes typical encephalitis) to kidneys, liver and brain in inoculated neonatal mice.

Dosage: Stem bark—5-10 g (API, Vol. IV.); leaf, seed, root—50- 100 ml decoction; 3-5 g powder. (CCRAS.)... melia azedarach

Mill.

Synonym: N. odorum Soland.

Family: Apocynaceae.

Habitat: Native of Mediterranean region; grown in Indian gardens.

English: Indian oleander, White oleander.

Ayurvedic: Karavira, Viraka, Ashva- maaraka, Hayamaaraka, Gauripush- pa, Divyapushpa, Shatakumbha, Siddhapushpa (white-flowered var.). Raktapushpa, Raktaprasava, Ravipriya (red-flowered var.)

Unani: Kaner Safed, Diflaa, Samm-ul-maar, Khar-zaharah.

Siddha/Tamil: Arali, Alari, Aatrulari, Karaviram.

Action: Root—resolvent and attenuant. A paste of the root is externally applied to haemorrhoids and ulcerations in leprosy. Paste of the root bark and leaves is used in ringworm and other skin diseases. An oil extracted from the root bark is used in skin diseases of scaly nature. Leaves—cardioactive (digitalis-like effect) and diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, insecticidal. Toxic.

The leaves contain several glyco- sides including glycosides of 8 beta- hydroxy-digitoxigenin. Cardenolide glycosides and pregnanolone glyco- sides have been isolated from roots.

The ethanolic extract of the flowers inhibits the growth of dermatophytes.

The plant shows antifungal activity against ringworm fungus, Microspo- rum nanum.

Dosage: Detoxified leaves—30— 125 mg powder (API, Vol. I); root— 30 mg—125 mg powder (API, Vol. III).... nerium indicum

(Huds.) Ach.

Family: Parmeliaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated in Kashmir hills and the Himalayas.

Ayurvedic: Shaileya, Shaileya- ka, Shilaapushpa, Shilaadaaru, Shailaka, Shilodbhava, Shaila, Shailpushpa. Kaalaanu-saarthaka, Bhuri-charilla, Sthavira, Vrddha, Shitashiva.

Unani: Charelaa.

Action: Astringent, resolvent, diuretic. Used externally for pain in renal and lumbar regions. Also used as an ingredient in cosmetic preparations.

The lichen contains lecanoric acid and atranorin.

Several lichen species contain abundant quantities of usnic acid which exhibits antimicrobial and antifungal activity and is immunologically active in contact dermatitis.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends the thallus in dysuria.

Dosage: Whole thallus—1-3 g powder. (API, Vol. III.)... parmelia perlata

(Linn.) Britton.

Family: Labiatae; Lamiacae.

Habitat: Throughout the Himalayas up to an altitude of about 3,500 m, and in the hills of Assam.

English: Perilla, Wild Coleus.

Folk: Bhanjeer, Ban-tulasi, Ban- jiraa, Bhasindi.

Action: Herb—sedative, antispasmodic, antiasthmatic, resolvent.

P. frutescens var. crispa is used in mixtures prescribed for cough and lung affections.

Several chemotypes of Perilla have been detected. The Indian type is rich in rosefuran. Other components are perillene, perilla ketone, beta-caryo- phyllene, phellandrene and a few ses- quiterpenoids. Aerial parts gave ethyl linolenate, linolenic acid and beta- sitosterol. The leaves also gave an an- thocyanin, perillanin. The leaves and flowering tops yield essential oils containing perilla ketone as major com- ponent—94% in leaf oils and 47% in inflorescence oils at fruiting stage.

Perillaldehyde, a major component of the plant extract, inhibits (moderately) a broad range of both bacteria and fungi. The MeOH extract of var. acuta Kudo is reported to prolong hexobarbital-induced sleep in mice. Dillapiol has been isolated as the active principle from the methanolic extract.... perilla frutescens

Linn.

Synonym: P. nanus Linn.

Family: Fabaceae.

English: Kidney Bean, French Bean, Haricot Bean.

Unani: Raajmah (seed), Lobia, Frashbean.

Action: Bean—diuretic, hypotensive, resolvent, regulates blood sugar. Used for water retention; albuminuria, especially of pregnancy; premenstrual tension.

Key application: Seed-free pods—in supportive treatment for inability to urinate. (German Commission E.)

The seeds of French Bean contain triterpenoid glucosides and soyasaponin V.

Raajmah consumption by diabetic patients is reported to produce highly significant reduction in their blood glucose level and glycaemic index, as compared to wheat and rice consumption.

Raw bean contains lectins which are destroyed when cooked. Its hypogly- caemic activity is most likely due to its chromium, trigonelline and fiber content. (Sharon M. Herr.)... phaseolus vulgaris

Linn.

Family: Resedaccae.

Habitat: Indigenous to western Europe; grown in gardens in India.

English: Dyer's Rocket, Weld.

Action: Plant—diuretic, diaphoretic, anthelmintic.

A luteolin glucoside, luteoloside, has been isolated from the fresh blossoms and outer parts of the plant. It has a low toxicity and mild influence on capillary resistance and possesses diuretic properties.

Reseda odorata Linn., known as Mignonette, is indigenous to North Africa and cultivated in gardens in India.

The herb is reported to allay irritation and ease pains. The seeds are applied externally as a resolvent. The... reseda luteola

Linn. (also auct. non L.)

Synonym: S. senegalensis DC. S. hirtus Willd.

Family: Compositae; Asteraceae.

Habitat: Tropical parts of India, in rice fields, cultivated lands as a weed.

Ayurvedic: Mundi, Mundika, Munditikaa, Bhuukadamba, Alam- busta, Shraavani, Tapodhanaa.

(Mahamundi, Mahaa-Shraavani Is Equated With S. Africanus Linn.)

Unani: Mundi.

Siddha/Tamil: Kottakarthai.

Folk: Gorakh-Mundi.

Action: Juice—Styptic, Emollient, Resolvent. Also Used In Hepatic And Gastric Disorders. Seeds And Root—Anthelmintic. Decoction Is Used In Cough And Other Catarrhal Affections And Chest Diseases. Root Bark—Given In Bleeding Piles. Flowers—Blood Purifier, Alterative, Depurative.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia Of India Recommends The Dried Leaf In Cervical Lymphadenitis, Chronic Sinusitis, Migraine, Epilepsy, Lipid Disorders, Diseases Of Spleen, Anaemia, Dysuria.

The Drug Is Mostly Administered In The Form Of Its Steam-Distillate. Steam Distillation Of Fresh Flowering Herb Yields An Essential Oil Containing Methyl Chavicol, Alpha-Ionone, D-Cadinene, P-Methoxycinnamaldehyde As Major Constituents. A Bitter Alkaloid, Sphaer- Anthine, Has Been Reported In The Plant.

Capitula Contains Albumin, A Fatty Oil (Up To 5%), Reducing Sugars, Tannins, Mineral Matter, A Volatile Oil (0.07%), And A Glucoside. No Alkaloid Was Detected In The Inflorescence. The Glucoside On Hydrolysis Gave A Aglycone, Phenolic In Nature. The Unsaponifiable Matter Of The Fatty Oil Showed Beta-Sitosterol, Stigmas- Terol, N-Triacontanol, N-Pentacosane And Hentriacontane. The Essential Oil Is Active Against Vibrio Cholera And Mi- Crococcus Pyogenes Var. Aureus. The Flower Heads Gave Beta-D-Glucoside Of Beta-Sitosterol.

Eudesmanolides, Cryptomeridiol And 4-Epicryptomeridiol Have Been Isolated From Flowers.

Flowers Gave A Sesquiterpene Glyco- Side, Sphaeranthanolide, Which Exhibited Immune Stimulating Activity.

Dosage: Leaf— 3-6 G (Api, Vol Iii); Whole Plant—10-20 Ml Juice (Api, Vol. IV).... sphaeranthus indicus

French beans. Phaseolus vulgaris L. French: Haricot. German: Bohnen. Spanish: Habichuela seca. Italian: Fagoilo. Indian: Khurdya. Chinese: Lu-tou. Iranian: Bendo mash. Constituents: phaseoline, mucilage, minerals including sulphur.

Keynote: kidneys. Part used: pods without beans.

Action: hypotensive, diuretic, anti-diabetic, resolvent, glycaemic – to regulate blood sugar.

Uses: Water retention. Albuminuria (proteinuria), especially of pregnancy. Oedema of cardiac origin. Premenstrual tension. Diabetes mellitus. Hyperinsulinism. To induce loss of weight. Swollen legs and ankles. Hypoglycaemia. Sometimes given in combination with Bladderwrack.

Preparations: Capt Frank Roberts Bean Cure. 40 grams of the dried herb soaked for 6 hours in 750ml (1 and a half pints) cold water. Boil, half an hour. Drink all over 1-2 days for water retention.

Roasted beans: nutritious coffee substitute.

French bean water (after cooking beans without salt) used traditionally in France for a soaked-lint compress for leg ulcer.

Powder. Capsules, 200mg. Dose: 8 capsules: 2 in morning, 3 at midday, 3 in the evening, at beginning of meals. (Arkocaps) ... bean husks

Blackeye root. Tamus communis L. French: Bryone douce a? fruits et a? racine noirs. German: Schwarzwurzel. Italian: Tamarro. Root. Not used internally.

Contains steroidal spirostane glycosides.

Action: rubefacient, bruise-healer. Resolvent.

Uses: Traditional: scraped root used externally as a rub for gout, rheumatism, and painful joints; and as a cold poultice for blackeye and bruises generally. Steeped in strong wine (teaspoon to 8oz wine) for 8 days – a lotion for chilblains. Berries steeped in gin used for the same purpose.

Preparations: Tincture: 1 part pulp to 5 parts alcohol. Macerate 8 days, strain, for external use.

Cream: Tamus cream or ointment. (Weleda, Nelson)

Pulped fresh root: as a poultice for chilblains or gout. ... bryony, black