Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesSide EffectsPrecautionsDosage and PreparationWhat to Look For
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Side Effects
Precautions
Dosage and Preparation
What to Look For
Bryonia(B. alba),also known asbryony, is a plant commonly used as a homeopathic remedy for headaches, muscle pain, cold or flu symptoms, cough, nausea, and constipation. It’s also sometimes used to relieve symptoms of chronic conditions such as arthritis, cancer, liver disease, and metabolic disorders. However, there isn’t enough clinical research to prove its effectiveness.
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What Is Bryonia Used For?
It is commonly used for cold and flu-like illnesses, spasmodic cough, and rheumatic pains, as well as to treat acute abdominal conditions likegastroenteritis, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Also Known AsOther names for Bryonia include:Bryonia AlbaRoot of white bryonyBlack-berried bryonyFalse mandrakeWild hops
Also Known As
Other names for Bryonia include:Bryonia AlbaRoot of white bryonyBlack-berried bryonyFalse mandrakeWild hops
Other names for Bryonia include:
Constipation and Fluid Retention
In its herbal application, extracts of Bryonia may be used to relieveconstipationor as an emetic, to induce vomiting.It is also adiureticand can be used to encourage urination to decrease fluid retention, potentially aiding hypertensive states.
Flu
Joint Pain
Some people believe that Bryonia has anti-inflammatory effects and take it to reduce joint pain andinflammation. Bryonia roots have historically been used in Turkish folk medicine and applied to arthritic joints to relieve pain.
Bryonia is also often combined with other homeopathic remedies and touted as an arthritis remedy, aimed at reducing inflammation in the joints to provide pain relief.
Cancer
In herbal applications, Bryonia may have potential as a complementary therapy for those undergoing cancer treatment. The extracts from Bryonia root may have properties that fight against tumors, helping slow the spread of cancer cells in the body.
The potent extracts used for cancer patients require a prescription and need more testing to determine their safety for human use. An in vitro study showed that Bryonia root extract had a toxic effect on two cancer types—head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and cervix adenocarcinoma.
At present, there is no evidence inhuman clinical trialsto prove the effectiveness of Bryonia in reducing cancer cell growth. More research is needed to assess the possible anti-tumor properties of Bryonia.
Possible Side Effects
Side effects of Bryonia may include:
Berries from the Bryonia plant are poisonous and can cause death when consumed.
Precautions and Contraindications
Bryonia has been used for its medicinal purposes for thousands of years, though its popularity is waning as safer options become more available.There is not currently enough scientific information to determine the appropriate dosage of Bryonia.
Suggested dosages vary, depending on age, health status, and other medications, supplements, and herbal remedies you are currently taking. It is important to only use Bryonia as a homeopathic remedy under the supervision of a certified homeopathic practitioner.
Bryonia is currently available in pellet (dissolvable tablet) and liquid extract forms as a homeopathic remedy.
Bryonia can be harmful when taken in measurable doses. For this reason, it is rarely found on the market for consumers as an herbal remedy or dietary supplement. If you opt to use Bryonia as an herbal remedy, it’s important to do so under the advice of a skilled herbalist to avoid serious side effects.
At this time, there are no FDA-approved homeopathic remedies that include Bryonia. This means that any product labeled as homeopathic is not evaluated for safety and efficacy in the United States.
As with any homeopathic remedy, it is important to consult your healthcare provider and/or pharmacist before taking it, particularly if you are currently taking any medications or using other herbal or homeopathic remedies.
Summary
As an herbal application,Bryonia may have some benefits as a laxative, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory remedy. There’s not enough scientific evidence on Bryonia’s effectiveness in treating cancer or liver conditions or relieving symptoms associated with the flu, joint pain, and inflammation.
If you’re looking for an herbalremedy with fewer side effects and proven benefits, there are many other plant-based options to consider. While Bryonia in homeopathic doses rarely has side effects, it’s important not to delay conventional treatment when needed.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ilhan M, Dereli F, Tümen I, Akkol, E.Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive features ofBryonia albaL.: as a possible alternative in treating rheumatism.Open Chemistry. 2019;17(1):23-30. doi:10.1515/chem-2019-0003Pourgonabadi S, Amiri MS, Mousavi SH.Cytotoxic and apoptogenic effects ofBryonia asperaroot extract against Hela and HN-5 cancer cell lines.Avicenna J Phytomed. 2017;7(1):66-72.Zengion AH, Yarnell E.Herbal and nutritional supplements for painful conditions.Pain Procedures in Clinical Practice (Third Edition). 2011:187-204. doi:10.1016/B978-1-4160-3779-8.10020-X.Kujawska, M., Svanberg, I.From medicinal plant to noxious weed:Bryonia albaL. (Cucurbitaceae) in northern and eastern Europe.J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine.2019;15:22. doi:10.1186/s13002-019-0303-6National Institutes of Health DailyMed.Bryonia alba - white bryony granule.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ilhan M, Dereli F, Tümen I, Akkol, E.Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive features ofBryonia albaL.: as a possible alternative in treating rheumatism.Open Chemistry. 2019;17(1):23-30. doi:10.1515/chem-2019-0003Pourgonabadi S, Amiri MS, Mousavi SH.Cytotoxic and apoptogenic effects ofBryonia asperaroot extract against Hela and HN-5 cancer cell lines.Avicenna J Phytomed. 2017;7(1):66-72.Zengion AH, Yarnell E.Herbal and nutritional supplements for painful conditions.Pain Procedures in Clinical Practice (Third Edition). 2011:187-204. doi:10.1016/B978-1-4160-3779-8.10020-X.Kujawska, M., Svanberg, I.From medicinal plant to noxious weed:Bryonia albaL. (Cucurbitaceae) in northern and eastern Europe.J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine.2019;15:22. doi:10.1186/s13002-019-0303-6National Institutes of Health DailyMed.Bryonia alba - white bryony granule.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ilhan M, Dereli F, Tümen I, Akkol, E.Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive features ofBryonia albaL.: as a possible alternative in treating rheumatism.Open Chemistry. 2019;17(1):23-30. doi:10.1515/chem-2019-0003Pourgonabadi S, Amiri MS, Mousavi SH.Cytotoxic and apoptogenic effects ofBryonia asperaroot extract against Hela and HN-5 cancer cell lines.Avicenna J Phytomed. 2017;7(1):66-72.Zengion AH, Yarnell E.Herbal and nutritional supplements for painful conditions.Pain Procedures in Clinical Practice (Third Edition). 2011:187-204. doi:10.1016/B978-1-4160-3779-8.10020-X.Kujawska, M., Svanberg, I.From medicinal plant to noxious weed:Bryonia albaL. (Cucurbitaceae) in northern and eastern Europe.J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine.2019;15:22. doi:10.1186/s13002-019-0303-6National Institutes of Health DailyMed.Bryonia alba - white bryony granule.
Ilhan M, Dereli F, Tümen I, Akkol, E.Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive features ofBryonia albaL.: as a possible alternative in treating rheumatism.Open Chemistry. 2019;17(1):23-30. doi:10.1515/chem-2019-0003
Pourgonabadi S, Amiri MS, Mousavi SH.Cytotoxic and apoptogenic effects ofBryonia asperaroot extract against Hela and HN-5 cancer cell lines.Avicenna J Phytomed. 2017;7(1):66-72.
Zengion AH, Yarnell E.Herbal and nutritional supplements for painful conditions.Pain Procedures in Clinical Practice (Third Edition). 2011:187-204. doi:10.1016/B978-1-4160-3779-8.10020-X.
Kujawska, M., Svanberg, I.From medicinal plant to noxious weed:Bryonia albaL. (Cucurbitaceae) in northern and eastern Europe.J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine.2019;15:22. doi:10.1186/s13002-019-0303-6
National Institutes of Health DailyMed.Bryonia alba - white bryony granule.
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