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Balmony
Chelone glabra
Scrophulariaceae
Synonyms : Bitter herb, Fishmouth, Turtlebloom,
Turtlehead, Salt-rheum weed, Shell flower, Snakehead, Bitter herb,
Chelone, Chelone Obliqua, Codmouth, Fishmouth, Glatta, Hummingbird
Tree, Salt-rheum weed,Shellflower, Snakemouth, White chelone,
(Chelone glabra [variant spelling "celone"])
Botanical : Chelone Glabra Habitat : North America
Collection : The aerial parts are collected and
dried during the flowering period between July and September.
Part Used : Dried aerial parts,Above ground
portion; usually collected and dried, but also used fresh.
Constituents : Very little work has been carried out on this
plant. Resins and bitters only have been reported.
Actions : Cholagogue, hepatic, anti-emetic, stimulant,
laxative.
Indications : Balmony is an excellent agent for
liver problems. It acts as a tonic on the whole digestive and
absorptive system. It has a stimulating effect on the secretion of
digestive juices, and in this most natural way its laxative
properties are produced. Balmony is used in gall stones,
inflammation of the gall-bladder and in jaundice. It stimulates the
appetite, eases colic, dyspepsia and biliousness and is helpful in
debility. Externally it has been used on inflamed breasts, painful
ulcers and piles. It is considered a specific in gall stones that
lead to congestive jaundice.
Priest & Priest tell us that it is a mild relaxing hepatic
influencing the mucous membranes, stimulating appetite and toning
the stomach. It is suitable for children and the elderly. Indicated
for gastro-intestinal disturbances after prolonged illness They give
the following specific indications : Atonic conditions, malaise and
debility, dyspepsia, mal-absorption, roundworms and threadworms,
colitis from hepatic dysfunction, chronic jaundice.
Felter considered it a useful remedy for gastro-intestinal debility
with hepatic torpor or jaundice. Dyspeptic conditions attending
convalescence from prostrating fevers are often aided by it, and
should be studied particularly for vague and shifting pain in the
region of the ascending colon.
Kings Dispensatory describes it as being tonic, cathartic, and
anthelmintic. Especially valuable in jaundice and hepatic diseases,
likewise for the removal of worms, for which it may be used in
powder or decoction, internally and also ln injection. Used as a
tonic in small doses, in dyspepsia, debility of the digestive
organs, particuIarly when associated with hepatic inactivity, and
during convalescence from febrile and inflammatory diseases. It is
valuable after malarial fevers as a tonic and to unlock the
secretions when checked by quinine. Recommended in form of ointment
as an application to painful and inflamed tumors, irritable and
painful ulcers,inflammed breasts, piles, etc. Kings gives the
following specific indications: Gastro-intestinal debility, with
hepatic torpor or jaundice; worms.
Combinations : For the relief on constipation, Balmony may
be combined with Butternut. For jaundice it will best be used with
Milk Thistle and other toning hepatics such as Golden Seal.
Preparations & Dosage : Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 2
teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and let infuse for l0-l5 minutes.
This should be drunk three times a day.
Tincture: take l-2ml of the tincture three times a day.
The herbalist by David Hoffman, (c)1993 David Hoffman, Hopkins
Technology
Habitat : Found in wet ground from Newfoundland to
Florida and westward to Minnesota, Kansas, and Texas.
Description : This erect little plant, from 2 to 4 feet high, grows
sparingly on the margins of swamps, wet woods, and rivers. It is a
perennial, smooth herb, bearing opposite, oblong leaves, and short,
dense, terminal spikes of two-lipped, white or purplish, cream or
rose flowers, the lower lip bearded in the throat and the
heart-shaped anthers and filaments woolly. The leaves have a slight
somewhat tea-like odour and a markedly bitter taste. They should be
planted in pots to prevent the roots from creeping too far.
The name of the genus Chelone comes from the Greek word meaning a
tortoise, from the resemblance of the corolla to a tortoise-head.
The whole, fresh plant is chopped, pounded to a pulp, and weighed,
and a tincture is prepared with alcohol. The decoction is made with
2 oz. of the fresh herb to a pint.
Constituents : The bitter leaves communicate their properties to
both water and alcohol. Chelonin is an eclectic medicine prepared
from Chelone, and is a brown, bitter powder given as a tonic
laxative.
Uses : The leaves have anti-bilious, anthelmintic, tonic and
detergent properties, with a peculiar action on the liver, and are
used largely in consumption, dyspepsia, debility and jaundice, in
diseases of the liver, and for worms in children for which the
powder or decoction may be used internally or in injection. As an
ointment it is recommended for inflamed tumours, irritable ulcers,
inflamed breasts, piles, etc.
For long it has been a favourite tonic, laxative and purgative among
the aborigines of North America, though their doses render its tonic
value doubtful.
Dosage : This herb may be difficult to obtain.
Infusion: use 1 tsp. leaves to 1 cup
water.Take 1-2 cups a day.
Tincture: take 10-20 drops in water,
3-4 times a day
CONTAINS: Not established, but contains gallic acid
(soluble in water and alcohol).
A perennial plant of the Figwort family usually found growing
sparingly in the eastern United States and Canada on the margins of
swamps, wet woods and rivers. Native to North America it is an erect
plant from 2 to 4 feet high, smooth-stemmed (slightly 4-sided),
bearing opposite oblong leaves (stalkless or nearly so and toothed)
and short dense terminal spikes of two-lipped white (or purplish) or
cream or rose flowers appearing on a spike. The lower lip is bearded
in the throat and the heart-shaped anthers and filaments are woolly.
Leaves have a slight, somewhat tea-like odor and a very bitter
taste.
The name of the genus comes from the Greek and means a "tortoise"
from resemblance of the corolla to a tortoise head.
PROPAGATION: By soft tip cuttings in summer or by
seed sown under cover in spring or by division in early autumn. The
fruit is a capsule.
NEEDS: As an ornamental it requires
moist soil in partial shade. It is sometimes erroneously offered in
the nursery trade as Penstemon barbatus. Plant in pots to keep it
contained and the roots from creeping.
HARVEST: The plants are cut when in
flower (July-Sept) and dried for use in infusions, liquid extracts,
powders or tinctures. The whole fresh plant is chopped, pounded to a
pulp and weighed and a tincture is prepared with alcohol.
SOLVENT: The bitter leaves give their
properties to both water and alcohol.
USES
MEDICINAL:
Extremely bitter herb that acts mainly as a tonic for the liver and
digestive system; antidepressant, aperient, laxative effects,
stimulant; leaves have anti-bilious, anthelmintic, tonic and
detergent properties with a peculiar action on the liver; increases
gastric and salivary secretions and stimulates appetite; laxative in
small doses but purgative in large doses.
Leaves were included in a list of Canadian medicinal plants.
Has been used internally for gallstones with jaundice, chronic liver
disease, colic, constipation, anorexia and poor digestion
(especially in the elderly and during convalescence), chronic
malarial complaints; leaves have been used for consumption,
dyspepsia, debility and jaundice in diseases of the liver and for
worms in children (powder or decoction used internally or in
injection).
Has been considered a specific tonic for biliousness, jaundice,
constipation, dyspepsia and sluggish liver. Has been considered a
specific in gallstones that lead to congestive jaundice.
Has been used externally as an ointment for inflamed tumors,
irritable ulcers, inflamed breasts, piles, sores and eczema.
Was used by Native Americans as a laxative and purgative; they used
a strong decoction of the whole plant for eruptive diseases, piles,
hemorrhoids, sores; an ointment was used by early settlers for
inflamed tumors.
Has been used for eruptions of the skin.
An ointment made from the fresh leaves was used for piles.
Has been combined with butternut (Juglans cinerea) for constipation.
Has been combined with Gentiana lutea (Great Yellow Gentian) and
Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal) for jaundice.
Has been combined with Cranesbill and Goldenseal for vaginal
discharge; when discharge begins to lessen dosage was reduced and
continued for 1 month before ceasing.
Has been combined with diuretics for dropsy with chronic
liverproblems and digestive sluggishness.
Has been combined with Fringe Tree bark for gallbladder problems.
Considered suitable for children and the elderly, especially for
gastro-intestinal disturbances after a prolonged illness.
Was used by the Malacites of Canada for prevention of pregnancy; it
is not known if it was effective.
According to Henrietta A. Diers Rau (Healing with Herbs, 1980), if
depression is present, balmony should be added to alteratives.
DOSE: TRADITIONAL DOSAGES FOR PROFESSIONAL NOTE ONLY
!All others buy commercial preparations and follow directions
carefully!
DRIED LEAF EQUIVALENT = 0.5 to 2 grams 3 times daily.
INFUSION: 1 oz of herb in one pint of water taken a wineglassful at
a time OR 1 tsp leaves to 1 cup water, steeped 10 to 15 min and
taken 1 to 2 cups daily.
DECOCTION = 1 to 2 fluid oz. (2 oz. fresh herb to 1 pint water)
FLUID EXTRACT = 1/2 to 1 drachm
POWDER = 1 drachm
TINCTURE = 1 to 2 fluid drachms (10 to 20 drops with water, 3 or 4
times a day)
CHELONIN (see note above) = 1 to 2 grains.
POWDERED LEAVES: 1 dram
NOTE: "Chelonin" is an eclectic medicine prepared from Chelone and
is a brown, bitter powder given as a tonic laxative. The tincture
becomes black and will dye urine the same color.
HOMEOPATHIC:
Used for debility, dumb-ague, jaundice, liver disease, Quinine
cachexia, worms.
BALMONY, INDIAN
aka Brown chiretta, Chiretta, Indian gentian, Swertia chirata Buch-Ham
(Swertia chirata (var. chirayita) syn Ophelia chirata)
CONTAINS: Bitter compounds (chiratin, ophelic
acid), xanthones (no tannins), amarogentin, and an iridoid
glycoside.
Extremely bitter member of the Gentian family of which chiretta is a
common name applied to several plants sold in India. It is native to
Himalayan meadows and slopes and similar in chemistry to the Great
Yellow Gentian (Gentiana lutea).
A hardy annual to 5 feet in height with a 2 foot spread. Oval leaves
are pointed and lanceolate. Flowers are greenish-yellow, 4-lobed
with purple veins and produced in panicles in fall. Fruit is a tiny
2-valved capsule. Wood is yellowish and thin with a yellowish pitch.
A related species (S. japonica) is cultivated in China for its
bitter properties. Another related species, (S. caroliniensis),
commonly known as American columbo, Indian lettuce and Meadow pride,
is a bitter nonaromatic plant considered a powerful emetic and
cathartic. The root is tonic, febrifuge and antiseptic (the powdered
plant is used for ulcers). An unrelated species, (Andographis
paniculata) known as Green chireta, is used for fevers.
PROPAGATION: By seed in spring or fall.
NEEDS: Full sun to part shade in moist, but
well-draining soil.
HARVEST: Cut toward the end of the growing season
while flowering and dry for use in infusions, liquid extracts and
powder.
PART USED: Whole plant.
MEDICINAL:
Tonic, hepatic, stomachic, febrifuge.
Has been used for malaria and tuberculosis due to presence of
xanthones.
Has been used for liver and gall bladder disease (and related
problems), dyspepsia, constipation, debility following an illness,
and cachexic conditions marked by loss of appetite and poor
digestion. It is said to protect the liver against carbon
tetrachloride poisoning due to the presence of the iridoid
glycoside.
Has been used to lower fevers and improve digestion.
DOSE: TRADITIONAL DOSAGES FOR PROFESSIONAL NOTE
ONLY
!All others buy commercial preparations and follow directions
carefully!
DRIED HERB = 20 to 60 grains, or , 0.3 to 2 grams taken 3 times
daily.
INFUSION = Steep 1 tsp of coarsely powdered plant in 1 cup boiling
water for 30 minutes; strain; take 1 tbsp three to six times daily.
TINCTURE = 5 to 10 minims.
- Introduction and disclaimers
The information contained on these pages has been obtained from a number of different sources.
As with all materials and information, use common sense. I have only collected this information. I claim no
responsibility for anything that happens because of information used from this collected information.
I cannot be held responsible for any actions or outcome of use of these folk remedies, taken by persons using this inforation as reference. Please be aware that some of these remedies may be toxic or cause an allergic reaction if taken in incorrect doses/internally. In all cases before resorting to use of the herbs listed, please consult a medical or holistic practioner.
- Legal Stuff:
Information provided is not designed to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any illness, or injury and is provided for informational purposes only. Always consult a medical doctor, or other alternative medical practitioner when suffering from any disease, illness, or injury, or before attempting a traditional or folk remedy. Keep all products away from children. As with any natural product, they can be toxic if misused.
Herb Index A to Z
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AKA: Vitex, Monk's Pepper and Wild Pepper
AKA: Knitbone, common comfrey, symphytum, blackwort, healing herb and bruisewort
Elder -AKA: American Elder , Sweet Elder and Common Elder
AKA: Virgaurea, Herba Solidaginus
AKA: Gravelweed, Joe-Pye Weed, Queen of the Meadow, purple boneset, trumpet weed, kidney root
AKA: Alehoof, Cat’s foot, Creeping Charlie, Gill-over-the-ground, Gillrun, Hay maids, hedge maids
AKA: Guaiac, Lignum vitae, pockwood
Gotu kola
AKA: Haw, May Blossom, Maybush, May Tree, Quick-set, Shan-cha
AKA: Marrubium, Hoarhound, White Horehound
AKA White Mustard, Yellow Mustard, Black Mustard, Kedlock
AKA: Balsamodendron
AKA: Milkwort, Rattlesnake Root, Seneca Snakeroot, Snake Root