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 | Red BryonyBryonia dioica |
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DescriptionBryony is a perennial plant with creeping branches, which grow on large tuberous roots. The bryony leaves are heart-shaped and pointed. The white bryony flowers are very small and have green veins. The flowers grow in loose bunches. Bryony is dioecious, which means that male and female flowers grow on different plants. Bryony forms small black berries.
Parts usedThe bryony roots are harvested before the plant flowers and are dried.
PhytochemicalsThe main phytochemicals in bryony belong to the group of triterpenes, including bryoniosides, cabenoside D, cucurbitacins and bryoamaride.,
Medicinal propertiesBryony is extremely poisonous and should only be used under medical supervision or as homeopathic dilutions.
Bryony has strong laxative and cytotoxic properties. Ingestion of bryony can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, kidney damage and abortion. The homeopathic dilutions are used to treat gout, flu, coughs, fever, bronchitis and rheumatism. Alcoholic extracts of the bryony root and fruits was used in the past to treat unbroken chilblains.
Today, bryony is mainly used externally in creams and ointments to treat muscular and rheumatic pains.Other factsBryony is a very common plant, originating from Europe and the Mediterranean. Other namesWhite bryony, Bryonia cretica, white bryony, English mandrake, wild vine, wild hops. |
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