Changes

* It may be noted that bogbean has intimate relation with gentians that are well-known bitter herbs employed in the form of a digestive as well as a common body tonic. This herb too may be used in the same way, but it may cause irritation to the digestive system, especially if the patient is enduring gastric infection or inflammation. Bogbean possesses astringent, anti-inflammatory, carminative (a medication that eases flatulence), digestive, cathartic, diuretic, deobstruent (a medication that helps to remove obstructions), emetic, febrifuge, emmenagogue (a medication that promotes menstrual discharge), stomachic, hypnotic and tonic attributes.

*Every part of bogbean plant is therapeutically active, but the leaves are used most frequently. It is best to collect the leaves of this aquatic plant in the later part of spring or early part summer and dried out prior to use. Using the fresh leaves may result in vomiting. An infusion prepared with the leaves of bogbean is used to treat muscular debility in M.E., persistent infections accompanied with weakness and fatigue, anorexia (inability to eat), indigestion and rheumatism. When this infusion is given in minor doses of 10 grains it enhances vitality of the stomach and facilitates in digestion. Patients suffering from dysentery, diarrhea or colitis should avoid this herb. In addition, taking the herb in excessive doses may result in vomiting.

*In earlier times, physicians in Europe employed bogbean leaves in the form of a cathartic as well as a medication to cure fevers, constipation, scabies, scurvy, rheumatism and dropsy (formerly known as edema or an anomalous fluid build up inside the body tissues). In addition, bogbean was also reputed for being a useful tonic and for promoting appetite. European settlers who established colonies in America discovered bogbean growing in nature and employed it to the fullest extent like they did in their native lands. A number of native Indian tribes in America boiled the rhizome of bogbean in water to prepare a decoction and used it to cure spitting blood as well as different other internal medical conditions. They also used this aquatic herb to cure jaundice, skin complaints as well as to flush out parasitic intestinal worms.

[[Category:Treatments]]

[[Category:herbal medicine]]