SPICEBUSH LINDERA BENZOIN

SPICEBUSH (Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume) +

Synonyms : Benzoin aestivale (L.) Nees, Laurus aestivalis L., Laurus benzoin L.

Activities (Spicebush) : Abortifacient (f; EB48:333); Analgesic (f; DEM; HAD); Candidicide (1; ABS); Carminative (f; FAD; FEL); Depurative (f; DEM; FAD); Diaphoretic (f; DEM; FAD; FEL); Emetic (f; DEM; HAD); Emmenagogue (f; DEM); Panacea (f; DEM); Stimulant (f; EB48:333); Tonic (f; DEM); Vermifuge (f; FAD; FEL).

Indications (Spicebush) : Ague (f; FEL); Amenorrhea (f; FAD); Anemia (f; FAD); Arthrosis (f; FAD); Bruise (f; FAD; FEL); Candida (1; ABS); Cold (f; DEM; FAD); Colic (f; FAD; FEL); Cough (f; FAD); Cramp (f; FAD); Croup (f; FAD); Dermatosis (f; FEL); Dysmenorrhea (f; FAD); Fatigue (EB48:333); Fever (f; DEM; FAD; FEL); Gas (f; FAD; FEL); Gonorrhea (f; DEM); Hives (f; HAD); Itch (f; FEL); Malaria (f; EB48:333); Measles (f; HAD); Myalgia (f; FAD); Nervousness (f; FEL); Neuralgia (f; EB48:333); Pain (f; DEM; HAD); Phthisis (f; HAD); Pulmonosis (f; EB48:333); Respirosis (f; EB48:333); Rheumatism (f; FAD; FEL); Swelling (f; HAD); Syphilis (f; DEM); Tuberculosis (f; HAD); Typhoid (f; FAD; FEL); VD (f; DEM); Worm (f; DEM; FAD; FEL); Yeast (1; ABS).

Dosages (Spicebush) : The decoction may be drunk freely (FEL).

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Spicebush) : Not covered (AHP; KOM; PH2). Stems contain laurotetanine, a potentially cytotoxic alkaloid. Heisey and Gorham (Lett. Appl. Microbiol. 14:136 - 9; 1992) found that extract of stem bark of Lindera benzoin (spicebush) strongly inhibited yeast (Candida albicans), much better than any of the other 53 species they studied.