David L. Hoffmann BSc Hons MNIMHMenyanthes trifoliata
Menyanthaceae
Names : Buckbean, Marsh Trefoil.
Habitat : Marshy ground in Britain and Europe.
Collection : The leaves are best collected between May and July. The maybe dried in the sun or under moderate heat.
Part Used : Leaves.
Constituents :
- Anthraquinone derivatives, including emodin,
aloe-emodin, chrysophanol and rhein glycosides, frangula-emodin, rhamnicoside alaterin and physcion. - Flavonoid glycosides.
Actions : Bitter, diuretic, cholagogue, anti-rheumatic.
Indications : Bogbean is a most useful herb for the treatment of rheumatism, osteo-arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It has a stimulating effect upon the walls of the colon which will act as an aperient, but it should not be used to help rheumatism where there is any colitis or diarrhea. It has a marked stimulating action on the digestive juices and on bile-flow and so will aid in debilitated states that are due to sluggish digestion, indigestion and problems of the liver and gall-bladder.
Combinations : For the treatment of rheumatic conditions it will combine well with Black Cohosh and Celery Seed.
Preparations & Dosage : Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto l-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for l0-l5 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.
Tincture: take l-4 ml of the tincture three times a day.
Hyla Cass MD
Daniel Redwood DC