White Bryony

(Bryonia dioica Jacq., Cucurbitaceae)

Also Called: Red Bryony, English Mandrake, Lady's Seal, Wild Vine.

Description: Dioecious perennial plant with massive tuberous root and a long branched stem climbing by means of coiled tendrils to a height of 4m (1 3ft).
Leaves shortly petiolate, broadly cordate with 5 lobes.
Flowers dioecious; the males, greenish-white in long stalked corymbs whilst the females are yellowish-white and stoutly stalked.
Fruit a berry, red and solitary when ripe.
Part Used: Fresh root, rarely dried.

Habitat and Collection: A native of Mediterranean countries; in much of central Europe in hedges and open forests.
Locally common in England and Wales, especially on well-drained soils.
The roots, which may weigh up to 2-5kg (51b), are collected before the plant flowers.

Constituents and Action: A resin from which the glycoside bryonin is extracted; other glycosides, an alkaloid, tannin and a volatile oil.
The resin is a drastic purgative that may produce cramps and colic

CAUTION: All parts of the plant are poisonous.

Usage: Rare in allopathic medicine because of its drastic action.
Homeopathic preparations of the fresh root are used for catarrhal and rheumatic complaints.
Occasionally used as a purgative.