Bryony

BRYONY BRYONIA DIOICA
The root of Bryony purges the belly with great violence, troubling the stomach and burning the liver and they' re not rashly to be taken.
There are several Bryonies and all are poisonous. The Common White Bryony (Bryonia dioica) is a rampant twining and climbing plant sending forth long tender branches with rough vine-like leaves and white flowers followed by berries (green, then red) in clusters.
Where to find it: On banks or under hedges. The roots go very deep. Flowering time: Mid to late summer.
Astrology: They are furious martial plants.
Medicinal virtues: Used correctly it is profitable for diseases of the head, such as falling-sickness, giddiness and swimmings, by drawing away much phlegm and rheumatic humours. Good for palsies, convulsions, cramps and stitches in the side and the dropsy. It provokes the urine and cleanses the reins and kidneys from gravel and stone by opening obstructions of the spleen.
The decoction of the root in wine drunk once a week on going to bed cleans the mother and expels the dead child. A dram (1.7 g) of the root in powder taken in white wine brings down the courses. An electuary made of the roots and honey doth mightily cleanse the chest of rotten phlegm and wonderfully helps any old strong cough, to those that are troubled with shortness of breath.
The root cleans the skin from all black and blue spots, freckles, morphew, leprosy, foul scars or other deformity.
The root bruised and applied to any place where bones are broken helps to draw them forth, also splinters and thorns in the flesh. Where Bryony must be taken inwardly it purges very violently and needs an abler hand to correct it 'than most country people have. Therefore it is better for them to leave the simple alone and instead take the compound water of it.
Modern uses: Tincture of Bryonia dioica is used by some professional herbalists. It is not recommended for self-medication purposes. In small doses of a few drops it is considered useful in chest complaints, rheumatisrn and gout. It has similar applications in homoeopathic medicine, being employed in bronchitis, sciatica and arthritis. Dosage is critical. Large doses provoke menstruation. It should not be taken in pregnancy.