Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata)
Menyanthes trifoliata
Western Herbalism
Western Herbalism

Buckbean

Menyanthes trifoliata

Also known as Marsh Trefoil, Menyanthes, Buck-bean, Bog-bean, Water shamrock, Bogbean, shuì cài, míng cài.

coolingdryingVery bittercolddrystimulatingsinkingTaste: bitter

The root of buck-bean is relaxing and stimulating, of the tonic character- the stimulating property predominating. Its action is allied to that of the gentiana ochroleuca, but is not so intense. Its main influence is expended on the glandular structures, promoting the flow of bile and urine, acting fairly on the bowels and skin, and in large quantities sometimes proving emetic, as boneset does.

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Actions

BitterDiureticcholagogueanti-rheumaticmdxxiii laxative in large dosesmdxxiv anti-hypertensive

Indications what the tradition reached for it in

Safety

The record lists 2 contraindications; open the plate in the library to read them in full.

Dosing as the sources wrote it

PreparationAs writtenMetric
Dried leaf 1-2 g or by infusion three times daily1000-2000 mg
(G7) Liquid extract 1-2 mL (1 : 1 in 25% alcohol) three times daily .(G7) Tincture 1-3 mL (1 : 5 in 45% alcohol) three times daily1-2 mL
Dose of the powder, as a tonic and gentle hepatic laxative, five to ten grains three times a day324-648 mg
The solid extract in doses of five grains, is still valued highly as an antiperiodic, in Germany324-324 mg
For this purpose, a strong tincture of the fresh leaves may be given in doses of from 1 to 10 minims.0.06-0.62 mL
As a tonic, the powdered root or herb may be given in doses of front 10 to 25 grains; of the aqueous extract, 5 or 10 grains; of the infusion (made by infusing 2 drachms of the herb or root in 4 fluid ounces of water at 212° F.), a fluid ounce or two; repeating the dose of either every 3 or 4 hours.648-1620 mg

Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.

From the sources

Properties and Uses. The root of buck-bean is relaxing and stimulating, of the tonic character- the stimulating property predominating. Its action is allied to that of the gentiana ochroleuca, but is not so intense. Its main influence is expended on the glandular structures, promoting the flow of bile and urine, acting fairly on the bowels and skin, and in large quantities sometimes proving emetic, as boneset does.

Description. Natural Order, Gentianaceae. An odd member of the Gentian family, found in the swamps of Europe, and from Pennsylvania northward and westward, in America. It is a plant with a perennial, creeping root-stalk, half an inch in diameter, dark reddish-brown, sending off numerous small fibers from its under surface; jointed in appearance, and sheathed with the membranous bases of the long petioles.

Drawn from Cook's Physio-Medical Dispensatory; King's American Dispensatory, 18th edition (Felter and Lloyd), and the Bountiful Herbs editorial.

Often paired with

Ceylon cinnamonCinnamomum zeylanicumGentianGentiana luteaBitter OrangeCitrus aurantiumSweet OrangeCitrus sinensisWormwoodArtemisia absinthiumCascarillaCroton eleuteria

Nearby on the shelf

Brome grassBromus ciliatusBroom snakeweedGutierrezia sarothraeBrown's peonyPaeonia browniiBuchuAgathosma betulinaBuckthornRhamnus catharticaBugleAjuga reptansBugleweedLycopus virginicusBulbous buttercupRanunculus bulbosus

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