Indications

Respiratory
• chronic wet coughs
• bronchitis
• emphysema
• asthma
• tuberculosis

Gastrointestinal
• sluggish digestion
• dyspepsia
• helminths
- roundworms
- hookworms
- whipworms
- pinworms

Actions

• Expectorant
• Antitussive
• Bitter
• Antimicrobial
• Anthelmintic

Constituents

• Sesquiterpene Lactones • Alantolactones
• Essential Oils
• Mucilage
• Inulin

Posology

• Tincture (1:5 in 40% EtOH): 1-4 ml tid
• Liquid extract (1:1 in 25% EtOH): 1.5-4 ml tid
• Decoction (dried herb): 1.5-4 g tid

Safety

Pregnancy and lactation: Avoid use as safety has not yet been established. Sesquiterepene lactones are somewhat toxic.

High doses: Cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, colic and some neurological complaints, including paralysis.

References

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Barnes J, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines, 3rd ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press, 2007.

Bone K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2000.

Bone K. A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs: Herbal Formulations for the Individual Patient. St Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone, 2003.

Brinker F. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, 3rd ed. Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications, 2000.

Felter HW, Lloyd JU. King's American Dispensatory. 1898. http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/kings/main.html. Accessed: August 19, 2006.

Hoffman D. Medical Herbalism. Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press, 2003.

Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, 1988.

Williamson EM, ed. Major Herbs of Ayurveda. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2002