Background
- White bryony (Bryonia alba and Bryonia dioica) is a perennial, climbing herb with flowers and lobed leaves that resemble an open hand. The plant's berries are considered poisonous.
- The root of white bryony has been extracted with alcohol and used at very low doses in homeopathic medications for fevers and dry mouth, respiratory infections, gastrointestinal disorders, and joint pain (applied to the skin). Some homeopathic practitioners believe that the patients who may experience the best outcome with bryony treatment are those who are initially reluctant to move or speak and who feel irritable and weary.
- However, the homeopathic medicine bryonia was correctly identified only 48.1% of the time by homeopaths when compared with a placebo-containing bottle. In separate research, 60% of homeopaths correctly identified the bottle containing bryonia.
- Limited research has shown that white bryony may have analgesic (pain-reducing), anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. However, clinical studies in humans are lacking.
References
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