Douce Health Dictionary

Felonwort. Solanum dulcamara L. German: Bittersu?ss. French. Douce ame?re. Italian: Dulcamara. Spanish: Delcamara. Indian: Ruba barik. Twigs and root-bark.

Action: stimulating expectorant, diuretic, hepatic, anti-rheumatic, anti-fungal, alterative. Contains saponin glycoside Dulcamarin.

Uses: Chronic bronchitis. Chronic eczema with itching. Gout. Mild analgesic for rheumatism. Warts, tumours, (external).

Preparations: Thrice daily.

Decoction: half-2g twigs to each cup water simmer 10 minutes. Dose: half a cup.

Liquid extract: 2-4ml in water.

French traditional: wives boiled handful of twigs or root-bark in lard for ulcers, warts and ringworm. Contra-indication: pregnancy and lactation. ... bittersweet

Blackeye root. Tamus communis L. French: Bryone douce a? fruits et a? racine noirs. German: Schwarzwurzel. Italian: Tamarro. Root. Not used internally.

Contains steroidal spirostane glycosides.

Action: rubefacient, bruise-healer. Resolvent.

Uses: Traditional: scraped root used externally as a rub for gout, rheumatism, and painful joints; and as a cold poultice for blackeye and bruises generally. Steeped in strong wine (teaspoon to 8oz wine) for 8 days – a lotion for chilblains. Berries steeped in gin used for the same purpose.

Preparations: Tincture: 1 part pulp to 5 parts alcohol. Macerate 8 days, strain, for external use.

Cream: Tamus cream or ointment. (Weleda, Nelson)

Pulped fresh root: as a poultice for chilblains or gout. ... bryony, black