Medicinal Plants : Menyanthes trifoliata

Name

Bogbean

Biological Name

Menyanthes trifoliata
Menyanthaceae

Other Names

Buckbean, Marsh Trefoil, water shamrock, bogbean, bitter trefoil, marsh clover, bog myrtle, bitterworm, brook bean, bean trefoil, moonflower

Parts Used

Leaves

Active Compounds

Anthraquinone derivatives, including emodin, aloe-emodin, chrysophanol and rhein glycosides, frangula-emodin, rhamnicoside alaterin and physcion.

Flavonoid glycosides.

Remedies For

Bitter, diuretic, cholagogue, anti-rheumatic, tonic, cathartic, anthelmintic, emetic

Bogbean is a most useful herb for the treatment of rheumatism, osteo-arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It has a stimulating effect upon the walls of the colon which will act as an aperient, but it should not be used to help rheumatism where there is any colitis or diarrhea. It has a marked stimulating action on the digestive juices and on bile-flow and so will aid in debilitated states that are due to sluggish digestion, indigestion and problems of the liver and gall-bladder.

Kloss, in the book "Back to Eden" describes the medicinal properties of bogbean thus:

"An excellent remedy in stomach catarrh, rheumatism, scrofula, scurvy, intermittent fevers, jaundice, dyspepsia, liver and kidney troubles. It expels worms. When taken in large doses it acts as an emetic. Promotes digestion by increasing the production of gastric juice."

Dosage

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto l-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for l0-l5 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.

Tincture: take l-4 ml of the tincture three times a day.

Combinations : For the treatment of rheumatic conditions it will combine well with Black Cohosh and Celery Seed.

Safety

No information.