21.02.03
The species used in medicine are Bryonia dioica and Bryonia alba. The genus to which they belong is a family of herbaceous vines, climbing by means of tendrils. The species, of which there are about 50, are found in most parts of the Old World. They are distinguished from the allied plants of the natural order Cucurbitaceae, by having the flowers monoecious, or occasionally dioecious, the 5 stamens united into 3 bundles, and the fruit globular and berry-like.
Bryonia dioica belongs to the section of the genus Bryonia, with palmately lobed leaves. It is common among the hedges and in the borders of woods in Europe, especially in the calcareous soil of some parts of England, where it is quite ornamental. Bryonia has been used in medicine throughout sections of Europe for a great many years, and occupied a conspicuous place in the London Dispensatory, published in 1653. It is vulgarly known as snakeweed, devil's turnip, parsnip turnip, and bastard turnip. The root, the part employed, is from 2 to 4 inches in diameter, and about 2 feet in length, although occasionally larger.
It is fleshy, and when wounded, yields a milky juice. Internally it resembles the root of Phytolacca decandra, maintaining the similarity when sliced and dried. Bryonia seems to be a valuable heart tonic in weak and delicate individuals, who, by overwork and nervous excitation bring on a depressed and irregular heart-action (heart-strain); and even in organic heart troubles when exposure and rheumatic twinges bring on the cardiac paroxysm, bryonia, with rest in bed, is asserted to powerfully and rapidly influence the condition for good.
Bryonia should not be forgotten in ordinary indigestion, where the food lies heavily, as if a stone were in the stomach. Ordinary jaundice is often cured with it, and in typhoid fever, as soon as pulmonic complications ensue, the patient should be put upon bryonia. Bryonia should never be given in large doses.
Bryonia dioica belongs to the section of the genus Bryonia, with palmately lobed leaves. It is common among the hedges and in the borders of woods in Europe, especially in the calcareous soil of some parts of England, where it is quite ornamental. Bryonia has been used in medicine throughout sections of Europe for a great many years, and occupied a conspicuous place in the London Dispensatory, published in 1653. It is vulgarly known as snakeweed, devil's turnip, parsnip turnip, and bastard turnip. The root, the part employed, is from 2 to 4 inches in diameter, and about 2 feet in length, although occasionally larger.
It is fleshy, and when wounded, yields a milky juice. Internally it resembles the root of Phytolacca decandra, maintaining the similarity when sliced and dried. Bryonia seems to be a valuable heart tonic in weak and delicate individuals, who, by overwork and nervous excitation bring on a depressed and irregular heart-action (heart-strain); and even in organic heart troubles when exposure and rheumatic twinges bring on the cardiac paroxysm, bryonia, with rest in bed, is asserted to powerfully and rapidly influence the condition for good.
Bryonia should not be forgotten in ordinary indigestion, where the food lies heavily, as if a stone were in the stomach. Ordinary jaundice is often cured with it, and in typhoid fever, as soon as pulmonic complications ensue, the patient should be put upon bryonia. Bryonia should never be given in large doses.
