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Acanthus, Bears Breech

Acantha, Brank Ursine
Picture
Ortus Sanitatis, Cube, Johann von, 1501

Picture
Picture
Dioscorides Materia Medica, Mathias, 1563

Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578
Picture
Kreutterbuch, Matthiolus, 1586


Botanical name:
Acanthus mollis

Parts used:
Root and Leaves (leaf only externally)

Temperature & Taste:
Temperate

Uses:
1. Nourishes the Yin, Clears Heat:
-Consumption, Spitting of Blood
-Wasting
-a mild diuretic that can be used in Yin deficiency
-One of the 5 Emollient plants

2. Moves the Blood, Promotes Healing:
-good for internal Bruising, Strains, Wounds
-Hernias, Ruptures (Dioscorides)

3. Externally:
-bruised and applied to Dislocations, Hernias, Cramps, Numbness, aches and pain in the joints of the hands and feet, and to Gout
-externally to heal Bones, Burns: crushed roots or decoction (since Dioscorides)
-leaf is used externally for Erysipelas and Inflammations (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
-formerly usually used in Enemas and Cataplasms
-used externally as Comfrey


DOSE:
1 dram of the powdered root in wine

NOTE:
One of the 5 Emollient plants

SUBSTITUTE:
1. Mallow
2. Brank Ursine was used as Comfrey, and was used as a substitute for it. Comfrey may therefore be used in its place.

Main Combinations:
1. Edema for pituitous Humors of the Bowels, Bears Breech, Marshmallow, Pennyroyal, Oregano, Camomile, Aniseed, Cumin (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
2. Wounds and Bruising of the Bones, Bears Breech root decocted with bran and applied relieves pain
(Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
3. Looseness of the Joints, Bears Breech leaf and root decocted in wine with bran added and applied.
(Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)


Cautions:
None noted.
It is cool and moist, so is not suitable for Cold and Weak digestion.

Main Preparations used:

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  • Home
  • About
  • Resources
    • Brief Overview of Traditional Medicine
    • Timeline
    • Authors and Sources
    • Glossaries
    • Articles on Traditional Medicine
    • Photos
    • Medicine Pictures
    • Substitute Medicines
  • Theory
  • Materia Medica
    • Ayurvedic Materia Medica
    • Chinese Materia Medica
    • Tibetan Materia Medica
    • Unani Materia Medica
    • Materia Medica of Herbal Medicine FREE
    • Materia Medica of Herbal Medicine PRO
    • Mineral Materia Medica
    • Animal Materia Medica
    • Chinese Classification
    • Western Classification
    • Humoral Medicine
    • Herbal Combinations
  • Formulas
  • Treatment
    • Types of Treatment in Traditional Medicine
    • Treatment of Specific Conditions
    • Diseases and Formulas
  • Patient Resources
  • Links & Texts
  • Contact Us
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