Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects Spring Snowflake — Not covered AHP; KOM; PH2.. Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects Spurge — “Narcotic.. Contraindications,
Trang 1Indications (Spring Snowflake) — Alzheimer’s (1; FNF); Cardiopathy (1; FNF); Insomnia (1;
FNF); Myasthenia (1; FNF); Nervousness (1; FNF); Neurosis (1; FNF); Pain (1; FNF); Senile
Dementia (1; FNF); Xerophthalmia (1; FNF)
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Spring Snowflake) — Not covered (AHP;
KOM; PH2) Emetic and poisonous; possibly edible after processing (HHB) Bulb is emetic but
said to be edible cooked (HHB)
SPURGE (Chamaesyce hypericifolia (L.) Millsp.) X
Synonym: Euphorbia hypericifolia L.
Activities (Spurge) — Antipyretic (f; CRC); Astringent (f; CRC); Diaphoretic (f; CRC); Diuretic
(f; CRC; JFM); Emmenagogue (f; CRC); Hemostat (f; CRC); Laxative (f; CRC); Narcotic (f; CRC)
Indications (Spurge) — Abrasion (f; CRC); Bleeding (f; CRC); Buccal Ulcer (f; CRC); Callus
(f; CRC); Cancer (f; CRC); Colic (f; CRC); Coma (f; CRC); Constipation (f; CRC); Diarrhea (f;
CRC); Dysentery (f; CRC); Dysuria (f; DEM); Fever (f; CRC); Gynecopathy (f; CRC); Intestinal
Ailment (f; CRC); Leukorrhea (f; CRC; JFM); Marasmus (f; CRC); Menorrhagia (f; CRC);
Oph-thalmia (f; CRC); Respirosis (f; CRC); Ringworm (f; CRC); Sclerosis (f; CRC); Stomatosis (f;
CRC); Toothache (f; CRC); Tumor (f; CRC); Uterosis (f; CRC); Wart (f; CRC); Water Retention
(f; CRC; JFM)
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Spurge) — “Narcotic Juice may cause
temporary blindness if introduced into the eyes” (CRC)
SQUAW VINE (Mitchella repens L.) ++
Activities (Squaw Vine) — Antiinflammatory (1; APA); Astringent (1; CRC; FAD); Collyrium (f;
CRC); Depurative (f; DEM); Diuretic (f; APA; FAD); Parturient (f; APA; PNC); Uterotonic (f;
APA; CRC)
Indications (Squaw Vine) — Alactea (f; APA); Amenorrhea (f; CRC; FAD; PNC); Arthrosis (f;
DEM; FAD); Backache (f; DEM); Bleeding (f; DEM); Childbirth (f; CRC; DEM); Chill (f; DEM);
Convulsion (f; DEM); Cramp (f; DEM); Cystosis (f; DEM); Dermatosis (f; DEM); Diarrhea (1; APA;
CRC); Dropsy (f; CRC); Dysentery (f; CRC; DEM; FAD); Dyslactea (f; DEM); Dysmenorrhea (f;
CRC; FAD; PNC); Dysuria (f; CRC; DEM); Enterosis (f; DEM); Fever (f; DEM); Gastrosis (f; DEM);
Gonorrhea (f; CRC); Gravel (f; CRC); Hemorrhoid (f; FAD); Hive (f; DEM; FAD); Hysteria (f; CRC);
Inflammation (1; APA); Insanity (f; DEM); Insomnia (1; APA; DEM); Leukorrhea (f; CRC); Mastosis
(f; DEM); Menorrhagia (f; CRC); Myalgia (f; DEM); Nephrosis (f; DEM); Ophthalmia (f; CRC);
Orchosis (f; DEM); Pain (f; DEM; FAD); Parturition (f; FAD); Polyuria (f; CRC); Rash (f; DEM);
Rheumatism (f; APA; DEM; FAD); Rickets (f; DEM); Rupture (f; DEM); Side Ache (f; DEM); Sore
Nipple (f; FAD); Stomachache (f; DEM); Swelling (f; DEM; FAD); Typhoid (f; DEM); Uterosis (f;
CRC); Vaginosis (f; CRC); VD (f; CRC; DEM); Water Retention (f; APA; FAD); Wound (f; DEM)
Dosages (Squaw Vine) — 2–4 ml liquid herb extract (PNC).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Squaw Vine) — Class 1 (AHP) Not covered
(KOM; PHR)
SQUILL, SEA ONION (Urginea maritima (L.) Baker) X
Synonyms: Drimia maritima (L.) Stearn, Scilla maritima L., Urginea scilla Steinh.
Trang 2Gruenwald cites this under Drimia maritima in edition 1, under this name in edition 2 HH2 maintains separate entries for U indica (Roxb.) Kunth and U maritima, a practice I follow, so far
resisting the temptation to aggregate
Activities (Squill) — Anticancer (1; CRC); Cardiotonic (f; CRC); Diuretic (f; CRC); Emetic (f;
CRC); Expectorant (f; CRC); Hypotensive (2; KOM); Negative Chronotropic (2; KOM); Poison (f; CRC); Positive Inotropic (2; KOM); Rodenticide (1; CRC)
Indications (Squill) — Adenopathy (f; CRC; JLH); Arrhythmia (2; CRC; PHR); Asthma (f; CRC);
Bronchosis (f; CRC); Bruise (f; CRC); Burn (f; CRC); Callus (f; CRC); Cancer (1; CRC); Cancer, eye (f; CRC; JLH); Cancer, liver (f; CRC; JLH); Cancer, parotid (f; CRC; JLH); Cancer, spleen (f; CRC; JLH); Cardiac Insufficiency (2; KOM); Catarrh (f; CRC); Congestion (f; CRC); Corn (f; CRC); Cough (f; CRC); Croup (f; CRC); Dandruff (f; CRC); Edema (f; CRC); Felon (f; CRC); Gas (f; CRC); Heart (f; CRC); High Blood Pressure (2; KOM); Induration (f; CRC); Kidney Insufficiency (2; KOM); Nephrosis (f; CRC); Nervous Cardiopathy (2; PHR); Pertussis (f; CRC); Seborrhea (f; CRC); Sore (f; CRC); Stomachache (f; CRC); Tumor (f; CRC); Varicosis (2; PHR); Wart (f; CRC); Water Retention (f; CRC); Wound (f; CRC)
Dosages (Squill) — 0.1–0.5 g StX sea onion powder (2; KOM).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Squill) — Commission E reports
contraindi-cations: potassium deficiency, and therapy with digitalis glycosides; adverse effects: diarrhea, gastrosis, irregular pulse, nausea, and vomiting; and interactions with other drugs: potentiation of calcium, cardiac glycosides, extended glucocorticoid therapy, laxatives, quinidine, and saluretics (AEH; KOM) I thought that was a pretty big dose of Commission E, but here’s what Gruenwald has to say: Should not be used in 2nd or 3rd degree atrioventricular blocks, carotid sinus syndrome, hypercalcemia, hypokalemia, hypertropic cardiomyopathy, thoracic aortic aneurysm, ventricular tachycardia, and WPW Syndrome (PHR)
SQUIRREL-CORN (Dicentra canadensis (Goldie) Walp.) +
Synonym: Corydalis canadensis Goldie.
Some Europeans (e.g., EFS) aggregate D canadensis and D cucullaria (L.) Bernh Their chemicals
and activities seem thus to be rather interchangeable I’ll not recommend either, though I don’t feel they are a serious hazard
Activities (Squirrel-Corn) — Alterative (f; EFS); Antispasmodic (f; HHB); Bitter (1; PH2); CNS
Depressant (1; FAD); Diaphoretic (f; FAD); Diuretic (1; EFS; FAD; HHB; PH2); GABA Antagonist (1; PH2); Spasmogenic (1; PH2); Tonic (1; EFS; HHB; PH2); Toxic (1; FAD; PH2)
Indications (Squirrel-Corn) — Cancer (f; JLH); Cramp (f; HHB); Dermatosis (f; FAD; PH2);
Dysmenorrhea (f; PH2); Dyspepsia (f; PH2); Fever (f; FAD); Paralysis (f; FAD); Rash (f; PH2); Syphilis (f; EFS; HHB; PH2); Tremor (f; FAD); Urethrosis (f; PH2); UTI (f; PH2); VD (f; PH2); Water Retention (1; EFS; FAD; HHB; PH2)
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Squirrel-Corn) — Not covered (AHP;
KOM) None recorded at proper dosage (not given) (PH2) Bicuculline could cause poisoning
in high doses (PH2)
STAR ANISE (Illicium verum Hook f.) ++ (raised from CRC)
Activities (Star Anise) — Allergenic (1; LAF); Analgesic (f; CRC; EFS); Antibacterial (1; APA);
Antiseptic (f; CRC); Antispasmodic (2; DEP; KOM; LAF; PH2); Bronchosecretolytic (2; KOM);
Trang 3Carminative (1; APA; CRC; DEP; PNC); Digestive (f; CRC); Diuretic (f; CRC; EFS); Estrogenic
(1; APA; LAF); Expectorant (2; APA; CRC; HHB; PH2); Fungicide (1; LAF); Insecticide (1; APA;
LAF); Lactagogue (1; APA; CRC); Mutagenic (1; LAF); Pediculicide (1; APA; CRC); Piscicide
(f; CRC); Stimulant (f; CRC; PNC); Stomachic (f; DEP; EFS; CRC)
Indications (Star Anise) — Anemia (1; APA); Anorexia (2; PHR; PH2); Arthrosis (f; PH2);
Bacteria (1; APA); Bronchosis (2; APA; PHR; PH2); Catarrh (2; KOM; PHR; PH2); Cholecystosis
(f; CRC); Colic (1; APA; CRC); Congestion (1; APA); Constipation (f; CRC); Cough (2; APA;
CRC; PHR; PH2); Cramp (2; APA; DEP; KOM; LAF; PH2); Dysentery (f; CRC; DEP; PH2);
Dyspepsia (2; APA; CRC; KOM; PH2); Enterosis (1; PH2); Extrophy (f; CRC); Favus (f; CRC);
Frigidity (f; APA); Fungus (1; LAF); Gas (1; APA; CRC; DEP; PH2; PNC); Gastrosis (1; APA;
PHR; PH2); Halitosis (f; APA; CRC); Hemopareisis (f; PH2); Hernia (f; CRC); Infection (1; CRC;
LAF); Insomnia (f; CRC); Lumbago (f; CRC); Morning Sickness (f; APA); Mycosis (1; LAF);
Nausea (f; APA); Otosis (f; CRC); Pain (f; CRC; EFS; PH2); Paralysis (f; PH2); Parturition (f;
APA); Respirosis (2; KOM; LAF; PHR; PH2); Rheumatism (f; CRC; PH2); Scabies (1; APA;
CRC); Spasm (2; CRC; LAF); Stomach Distress (1; APA); Toothache (f; CRC); Water Retention
(f; CRC; EFS)
Dosages (Star Anise) — 0.5–1 g powdered fruit (1 teaspoon = ~3.2 g) (BIS); 0.5–1 g seed/cup
tea (HHB); 3 g herb or equivalent of 0.3 g EO (KOM; PHR; PH2)
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Star Anise) — Class 1 (AHP) None known
at proper dosage (KOM; PH2) While I consider star anise, properly identified, as safe as coffee,
there are papers dealing with anethole intoxication in infants, relating the following symptoms to
excess anethole ingestion: continuous crying, irritability, hypertonia, atypical ocular movements,
twitching, cyanosis, and occasionally vomiting and refusal to take nourishment They “conclude
that the infusion of Illicium verum incorrectly administered, or in high doses, produces a
neuro-logical toxic picture,” which must be considered in diagnosis They advise against its use in infants
(USDA abstract) One group has really analyzed star anise, in reporting three new toxins, that’s
three strikes against star anise Possibly they were analyzing Illicium anisatum, namesake of the
toxin anisatin Dentifrices containing anise and/or star anise oil may cause cheilitis (dry bleeding,
cracking, and peeling lips) (RIN)
STAR GRASS (Hypoxis sp.) ++
Synonyms: H hemerocallidea Fisch ex C A Mey & Ave-Lall and H rooperi T Moore “African
Potato” and “Bantu Tulip” in PH2
Activities (Star Grass) — Antiadenomic (1; SHT); Anticancer (1; VAG; VVG; ZUL); Antiedemic
(1; SHT); Antiexudative (f; PH2); Anti-HIV (1; VVG); Antiinflammatory (1; SHT; VVG; ZUL);
Antimutagenic (1; VVG); 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor (1; VVG); Cytotoxic (1; VVG); Emetic (1;
ZUL); Hypocholesterolemic (1; SHT); Immunomodulator (f; VAG); Laxative (1; VAG; WBB;
ZUL); Prostaglandin-Synthase Inhibitor (1; PH2); Tonic (f; VAG; ZUL); Vermifuge (f; VAG);
Vulnerary (f; PH2)
Indications (Star Grass) — Adenoma (1; SHT); Anxiety (f; VAG); Arthrosis (f; VAG); BPH (1;
PH2; SHT; ZUL); Burn (f; VVG; WBB; ZUL); Cachexia (f; VAG); Cancer (1; VAG; VVG; ZUL);
Constipation (1; VAG; WBB; ZUL); Cystosis (f; PH2; VVG); Depression (f; VAG); Dysuria (1;
PH2; SHT; VVG); Headache (f; WBB; ZUL); High Cholesterol (1; SHT); HIV (1; VVG); Infection
(f; VVG); Inflammation (1; SHT; VVG; ZUL); Mental Problem (f; ZUL); Orchosis (f; VAG);
Palpitation (f; VAG); Pulmonosis (f; PH2); UTI (f; VAG; VVG); Rheumatism (f; VAG); Swelling
(1; SHT); Vertigo (f; VVG; ZUL); Worm (f; CEB; CRC; DEP; EFS)
Dosages (Star Grass) — 60 mg beta-sitosterol/day (SHT).
Trang 4Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Star Grass) — Not covered (AHP).
“Health hazards not known with proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2) (but PH2 designates no specific quantified dosage! JAD) No significant side effects were noted after 6 months (SHT) Varro Tyler cautioned against self-medication with BPH Whenever treating BPH, a practitioner should be involved Base-line levels of PSA should be established before considering an herbal treatment (JAD)
STAR OF BETHLEHEM (Ornithogalum umbellatum L.) +
Activities (Star of Bethlehem) — Poison (f; CRC).
Indications (Star of Bethlehem) — Adenopathy (f; CRC); Debility (f; CRC); Lymphosis (f; CRC).
STAVESACRE (Delphinium staphisagria L.) X
As so often in plants that I describe as too dangerous to take, many of the folk indications come from homeopathy (especially those labeled (f; HHB; PH2) below), which stresses poisonous plants in extremely high doses Unfortunately, the naive don’t always understand the homeopathic dosages I hope the nonbotanists who wrote Commission E and the Herbal PDR have figured out the larkspurs better than I have Otherwise, they know not of which larkspur they speak There are more than a
dozen Consolidas and Delphiniums, many called larkspurs And don’t forget the pediculicide stave-sacre, D staphisagria L After wasting a day with the nomenclatorial nuances, I feel I should treat three species or lump them all into one, larkspur (Consolida regalis Gray (formerly Delphinium consolida); the slightly different rocket larkspur, Consolida ajacis L Schur; and finally the stavesacre, Delphinium staphasiagria L., which is not covered by the USDA All are poisonous and dangerous,
and probably not reliably distinguished by nonbotanists So it is, methinks, a bit optimistic to assume the data in the literature have been based on positive identification (i.e., better speculations than mine)
Trang 5Activities (Stavesacre) — Antispasmodic (f; EFS); Arrhythmogenic (1; PH2); Emetic (f; EFS);
Laxative (f; EFS); Narcotic (f; EFS); Nervine (f; EFS); Pediculicide (f; EFS); Toxic (f; EFS);
Vermifuge (f; EFS)
Indications (Stavesacre) — Adenopathy (f; HHB; PH2); Alopecia (f; HHB; PH2); Anxiety (f;
PH2); Body Odor (f; PH2); Blepharosis (f; HHB; PH2); Callus (f; JLH); Cancer (f; JLH); Cancer,
pituitary (f; JLH); Cancer, uterus (f; JLH); Cervicosis (f; JLH); Chalazion (f; PH2); Constipation
(f; EFS; PH2); Cramp (f; EFS); Cystosis (f; PH2); Debility (f; HHB; PH2); Dermatosis (f; PH2);
Diabetes (f; PH2); Diarrhea (f; HHB); Dysuria (f; PH2); Edema (f; PH2); Gastrosis (f; PH2);
Gonorrhea (f; HHB; PH2); Headache (f; HHB; PH2); Hypochondria (f; HHB; PH2); Hysteria (f;
HHB; PH2); Impotence (f; HHB); Induration (f; JLH); Leukorrhea (f; HHB); Melancholy (f; PH2);
Neuralgia (f; HHB; PH2); Neurasthenia (f; HHB; PH2); Neurosis (f; PH2); Pediculosis (1; EFS;
PH2); Phymata (f; JLH); Polyp (f; JLH); Rheumatism (f; HHB; PH2); Rhinosis (f; JLH); Scrofula
(f; PH2); Seborrhea (f; PH2); Senility (f; PH2); Stye (f; PH2); Swelling (f; PH2); Ulcer (f; HHB;
PH2); Uterosis (f; JLH); VD (f; HHB); Worm (f; EFS)
Dosages (Stavesacre) — Use only homeopathic dilutions.
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Stavesacre) — Not covered (AHP) 2 tsp
seed leads to collapse with labored breathing, stomach pain, and weakened pulse
STEVIA (Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni) ++
Synonym: Eupatorium rebaudianum Bertoni
Activities (Stevia) — Antibacterial (f; APA); Anticariogenic (f; APA); Antidiabetic (1; APA);
Antiedemic (1; HH2); Antifertility (1; APA); Antigluconeogenic (1; AMA); Antiinflammatory (1;
HH2); Antiseptic (f; APA); Calcium Antagonist (1; AMA); Contraceptive (f; APA; HHB; PH2);
Diuretic (1; AMA; APA; PH2); Hypoglycemic (1; APA; PH2; SYN); Hypotensive (1; AMA; APA;