Bryony (aka. Wild Hops, False Mandrake; Bryonia alba, B. dioica) are vigorous twining perennials in the cucumber family—such vigorous climbers that they have the potential to be a noxious weeds with destructive potential.
Bryony has palmately lobed leaves and greenish-white flowers that are followed by poisonous berries.
Although the whole plant is known to be toxic, it also has history as a medicinal plant, which seems to have mostly been forgotten, except that today it is used mainly as a homeopathic remedy.
Bryony has deep folklore in European traditions of being able to either bring luck and protection to people or take them away. Essentially, it is thought that since its roots have a resemblance to Mandrake, that it was sometimes used or promoted as an inexpensive alternative for mandrake (Mandragora officinarum).
Bryony was also used in the Catholic Church for a time for blessings, and then later this practice stopped as it was associated with witchcraft, as happened for other herbs in the Catholic Church.
Homeopathic preparations of Bryony still used today (which are very dilute preparations) are indicated for digestive problems (especially marked by constipation, dry mouth, and headache), headache (worse with movement, and especially with constipation), sprains and fractures (especially accompanied by inflammation, pain and swelling in the joints and rheumatism), cough (dry painful cough, worsened by motion), flu (dry lips, splitting headache, and irritability).
Bryony is an old European plant of symbolic meaning and medicinal relevance that is still today kept as an ornamental in heritage gardens.
Through scientific investigation, Bryony has been found to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic properties.
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**This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.
Forgotten Medicine?
