Cucurbitaceae
White Bryony
Bryonia alba
✗ High Risk
Avoid in Pregnancy
Native to: Europe, Western Asia
Also known as: White Bryony, Wild Vine, Devil's Turnip, Mandragora
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Parts Used
Root
Therapeutic Uses
PRIMARILY HOMEOPATHIC (Bryonia alba — joint and respiratory inflammation, dry cough, worse with movement). Herbal preparation: EXTREMELY TOXIC — violent purgative, potentially fatal.
Herbal Actions
Purgative (violent — toxic), anti-inflammatory (homeopathic), antitumor (cucurbitacins — research)
Active Constituents
Cucurbitacins (highly toxic), bryonine, bryonidin, alkaloids, tannins, fatty acids
Preparation Methods
🏺 Tincture
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | DO NOT USE — toxic |
| Tincture | HOMEOPATHIC ONLY — never use herbal tincture internally |
| Notes | Root extremely toxic — cucurbitacins cause violent gastroenteritis, renal failure, hemorrhage, death. Homeopathic use (Bryonia 30C, 200C) safe as no measurable alkaloids. Never use herbal preparation. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✗ High Risk
Pregnancy
Avoid in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
None known
Contraindications: EXTREMELY TOXIC — do not use herbally. Homeopathic use only. Contact dermatitis from plant handling.
Side Effects: Violent purgation, hemorrhage, renal failure, liver damage, death from herbal doses. Contact dermatitis.