SWEET GALE MYRICA GALE

SWEET GALE (Myrica gale L.) ++

Synonyms :
M. gale var. tomentosa C. DC., M. tomentosa (C. DC.) Asch. & Graebn.
Taxonomists sometimes have trouble distinguishing M. cerifera L., M. gale L., and M. pensylvanica Mirb., so I suspect the herbalists and collectors may mix them on occasion. Rafinesque, an eccentric MD, circa 1839, said that all species were equivalent from the medicinal point of view (CEB).

Activities (Sweet Gale) :
Antioxidant (1; ABS); Antiviral (1; ABS); Astringent (f; PNC; PH2); Bacteristat (1; FAD; PNC); Diuretic (f; CEB; DEM; FAD); Emetic (f; CEB); Errhine (f; CEB); Expectorant (f; CEB); Fungistat (1; FAD; PNC); Hepatoprotective (f; ABS); Insecticide (f; CEB); Insectifuge (1; ABS; CEB); Narcotic (f; CEB); Sedative (1; ABS); Sialagogue (f; CEB); Stimulant (f; CEB); Stomachic (f; CEB; EFS); Toxic (1; PH2); Vermifuge (f; CEB; PHR; PH2).

Indications (Sweet Gale) :
Alopecia (f; CEB); Bacteria (1; FAD; PNC); Bite (f; CEB); Bleeding (f; CEB); Boil (f; CEB); Cancer (f; JLH); Cancer, anus (f; JLH); Cancer, liver (f; JLH); Cancer, spleen (f; JLH); Cholera (f; CEB); Colic (f; CEB); Condyloma (f; JLH); Diarrhea (f; CEB); Dermatosis (f; PH2); Dysentery (f; CEB); Dyspepsia (f; PHR; PH2); Epistaxis (f; CEB); Fever (f; CEB); Flu (1; ABS); Fungus (1; FAD; PNC); Gonorrhea (f; DEM; FAD); Headache (f; CEB); Hepatosis (f; ABS); Herpes (1; ABS); Hysteria (f; CEB); Insomnia (1; ABS); Itch (f; CEB; PHR); Metrorrhagia (f; CEB); Nervousness (1; ABS); Palsy (f; CEB); Parasite (f; EFS); Sclerosis (f; JLH); Scrofula (f; JLH); Sore (f; CEB); Sore Throat (f; CEB); Splenosis (f; JLH); Swelling (f; CEB); Toothache (f; CEB); Typhoid (f; CEB); Uterosis (f; CEB); VD (f; DEM; FAD); Virus (1; ABS); Wart (f; JLH); Water Retention (f; CEB; DEM; FAD); Worm (f; CEB; PHR; PH2).

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Sweet Gale) :
Not covered (AHP). EO is toxic (PNC). The mixing of the plant with beer, as practiced in the Middle Ages, is said to have led to manic episodes (PHR).

Extracts (Sweet Gale) :
Methylated dihydrochalcones are bacteristat and fungistat (PNC). Myrigalone- B, from the fruits, is a potent antioxidant that inhibits lipid peroxidation. It may therefore help protect liver tissue from hepatotoxins (maybe even the alcohol in sweet-gale-beverages). Simpson et al. (1996) report antiviral activity for extracts. Influenza A virus and a bacteriophage of Pseudomonas procyanea were suppressed by direct contact with the extract, probably due to tannins.