Bryonia

LATIN NAME:

Bryonia Alba;
/bry’-o-nia/

COMMON NAME:

Wild hops

SOURCE & HABITAT:

This plant is from the gourd family and grows mainly in middle and southern Europe. The strong vines of this plant hold clusters of greenish white flowers and berries. Medicine is derived from the large fleshy root before the plant flowers.

HISTORY:

Bryonia was promoted for treating gangrenous wounds by the renowned Greek physician Dioscorides in the 1st century A.D. English herbalists used Bryonia to treat excess phlegm, coughs, and shortness of breath. In 1834, Dr. Hahnemann introduced its homeopathic benefits for acute joint pain.