Sentry Page Protection
Teucrium polium, Poley Montane
Poley, Mountain Germander, Narrow-leaf Germander
Kalpooreh (Unani)
Hui Bai Shi Cao (TCM)
Kalpooreh (Unani)
Hui Bai Shi Cao (TCM)
|
|
|
New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563
|
Kurtzes Handtbuchlein, Ryff, 1599
|
Left: Polium campestre; Right: P. montanum
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578
|
|
Common (left), Spanish (middle) and Lavender-leaved (right) Poley Montane
Parkinson, Theatrum Botanicum, 1640
Parkinson, Theatrum Botanicum, 1640
Botanical name:
Teucrium polium (syn. T. capitatum)
Campestre (rural) and Montanum (mountain) varieties were primarily recognised, the mountain being preferred. Dioscorides and Galen recognised 2 varieties of Poley:
1. P. montane
2. P. hortense.
Later European writers recognised a number of varieties including:
1. Common Poley (Mountain Poley)
2. White or Spanish Poley Mountain
3. Spiked, or Lavender-leaved Poley
Parts used:
Herb in flower
Temperature & Taste:
Cold, dry. Bitter, Pungent
Usually accounted Warm, we have taken the Chinese stance in calling this (and related plants) Cool.
Classifications:
Aperitive, Abstersive, Diuretic, Vulnerary, Cardiac, Alexipharmic
Teucrium polium (syn. T. capitatum)
Campestre (rural) and Montanum (mountain) varieties were primarily recognised, the mountain being preferred. Dioscorides and Galen recognised 2 varieties of Poley:
1. P. montane
2. P. hortense.
Later European writers recognised a number of varieties including:
1. Common Poley (Mountain Poley)
2. White or Spanish Poley Mountain
3. Spiked, or Lavender-leaved Poley
Parts used:
Herb in flower
Temperature & Taste:
Cold, dry. Bitter, Pungent
Usually accounted Warm, we have taken the Chinese stance in calling this (and related plants) Cool.
Classifications:
Aperitive, Abstersive, Diuretic, Vulnerary, Cardiac, Alexipharmic
Uses:
1. Clears Wind-Heat, Resists Poison:
-Colds, Fever, Rheumatic Fever (Unani)
-Lung-heat cough, Chest Pain, Tuberculosis
-toxic swellings
-Decoction (taken with vinegar) is taken for poisonous bites and stings (Dioscorides)
-in Antidotes including Mithridate (in which case the small variety was preferred)
2. Settles Wind, Stops Spasms:
-Hypertension
-Paralysis, Numbeness, Trembling or Lameness of the Limbs
3. Clears Heat and Damp, Opens Obstructions:
-Jaundice
-Edema, Urinary obstructed by Heat and Damp
-Gravel and Stones
-obstruction of the Spleen
-Colitis, Gastritis; diarrhea (decoction), Colic, Peptic Ulcers, Vomiting
4. Moves the Blood, Promotes Menstruation, Eases Pain
-Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea
-expels Dead Fetus and Afterbirth
-relieve pains of Labor and Postpartum pain
-Hard Tumors, Fibroids
5. Clears Heat, Promotes Healing:
-an important Wound herb: Wounds, Ulcers
-Chronic Sores and Foul Ulcers (internally and topically)
6. Benefits Kidneys, Strengthens Bones:
-Recently found useful for Type II Diabetes
-Arthritis, Rheumatism
-Sciatica, Lower Back Pain and weakness
7. Kills Worms:
-also for Tapeworm (Avicenna)
8. Externally:
-leaves are beaten and applied to Boils and Carbuncles
-the smoke repels vermin and venomous insects; strewn around a room to repel pests also
-topically as a Wound herb
-old sores and ulcers
-Paralysis, Numbeness, Trembling or Lameness of the Limbs (Herbs boiled in oil and applied)
DOSE:
In Decoction: 2–6 grams, added towards the end
Of the Powder: 2–6 grams with Wine
Of the Tincture: 3–7 mls
Of the Acid (Vinegar) Tincture: 30–40 drops
Of the Oily Tincture (Tincture in oil): 15–45 drops (up to 60 drops) for Arthritic and Rheumatic diseases, and nerve disorders such as Paralysis, Numbness, Trembling etc
Of the Juice: 15–30 mls
SUBSTITUTE:
1. Pomegranate root-bark can be used for Worms (Avicenna)
2. Cassia bark in two-thrids of its weight (Avicenna)
In Decoction: 2–6 grams, added towards the end
Of the Powder: 2–6 grams with Wine
Of the Tincture: 3–7 mls
Of the Acid (Vinegar) Tincture: 30–40 drops
Of the Oily Tincture (Tincture in oil): 15–45 drops (up to 60 drops) for Arthritic and Rheumatic diseases, and nerve disorders such as Paralysis, Numbness, Trembling etc
Of the Juice: 15–30 mls
SUBSTITUTE:
1. Pomegranate root-bark can be used for Worms (Avicenna)
2. Cassia bark in two-thrids of its weight (Avicenna)
Main Combinations:
1. Poley Montane with Bdellium, Rhubarb, Lacca, Yellow Myrobalan, Indian Spikenard for obstruction, to promote urine, fibroid tumors etc.
Major Formulas:
Hiera Logadii
Troches of Coral (Diacorallium) (Nicholas)
Pills of Rhubarb (Greater) (Pil. de Raved Sceni) (Mesue)
Athanasia Greater Nicholas
Cautions:
1. Toxic in overdose or long-term use. The terpenoid teucrin has been associated with acute hepatitis and one case of Liver failure. Not used for more than 3 weeks without a break in treatment. Not used in those with Liver or Kidney disease.
2. Not used during pregnancy
3. Traditional Herbals noted it to 'trouble the Stomach, and cause some pains in the Head'. (Parkinson, from Dioscorides)
Main Preparations used:
1. Toxic in overdose or long-term use. The terpenoid teucrin has been associated with acute hepatitis and one case of Liver failure. Not used for more than 3 weeks without a break in treatment. Not used in those with Liver or Kidney disease.
2. Not used during pregnancy
3. Traditional Herbals noted it to 'trouble the Stomach, and cause some pains in the Head'. (Parkinson, from Dioscorides)
Main Preparations used: