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Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association
Dedicated to Developing Responsible Herbal Practice
 
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Established in 2002 by Susan Wynn, DVM, RH(AHG)
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President:  Laurie Dohmen
President-Elect: Robert Silver
Past President: Cynthia Lankenau
Int'l Advisor:  Barbara Fougere
Recording Secretary:  Beth Lambert
Director/Treasurer:  Jasmine Lyon
 
 
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VBMA Herbal Wiki
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/Mitchella.repens01.jpg
COMMON NAME:  Partridgeberry
LATIN NAME:  Mitchella repens
AKA:  Squaw Vine, Checkerberry
 
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Mitchella repens  

TRADITIONAL USES:
American Indians: used as a remedy for a wide range  of female reproductive problems including cramps, delayed or irregular menes, heavy menstrual flow, labor difficulties, and infertility.  Leaf infusion and poultice were used to soothe sore nipples, hemorrhoids, and wounds.
 
FOLK USES:
Herbal steam to relieve pain and a decoction of the berries in milk to stop diarrhea and treat dysentery.
 
CURRENT USES:
Important gynaecological remedy reliable tonic to treat deficiency and weakness with symptoms such as infertility, lack of menses, menstrual pain, and threatened miscarriage.  reduces excessive heavy menstrual flow and relieving persistent vagina.
 
Taste: slightly sweet
treats an atrophied tissue state
Specific indication:
female: leucorrhea, prolapse of the uterus, menstrual irregularity, swelling and pain, congestion of ovaries and uterus, infertility, birth defect preventative, preparation of labor; treats postpartum depression
 
ELLINGWOOD
"Therapy- the sphere of action of mitchella is upon the reproductive organs, particularly upon those of the female.  It is par excellence the partus preparator.  Not only can all complicating influence be removed, but the nervous system can be so influenced that that parturition to the mother can be shorn of dead and terrors, and can be looked forward to without anxiety or fear...Erratic pains and unsatisfied longings are removed, the nervous system assumes a tranquil condition, reflex symptoms abate, the urinary function is improved and the appetite becomes natural.  Labor approaches, devoid of the irritating, aggravating complication, the preparatory stage is simple, the dilatation is completed quick, the expulsive contractions are strong, nonirritating, and effectual and are much less painful that without the remedy; involution is rapid and perfect, there are no subsequent, complicating conditions to contend with, the patient;s strength is not abated, and the function of lactation is in its best condition...The bark of the fresh root in hot infusion given occasionally during the progress of labor when no previous care of the patient has been afforded the physician, will work wonders in some tedious aggravating cases.  In uterine disorders at other times this agent is most effectual remedy.  It overcomes painful menstruation, regulates the function relieves congestion in the pelvic organs and soothes general irritation of the nervous system from uterine or ovarian cases...it has been used to prevent abortion."
 
COOK
"This article is mildly stimulating and slightly relaxing exerting its influence rather slowly but persistently and leaving a gently but desirable tonic impression upon the frame.  The greater portion of its power is expended upon the uterus, where its action is tonic and moderately antispasmodic;but it also influences the kidneys, testes and the entire nervous system as connected with the generative organs.  The chief value set upon it by most physicians is for its soothing and strengthening influence upon the uterus in hysteria, leucorrhea,prolapsus, and rheumatic or neuralgic pains, and chronic painful menstruation.  Its action in all these connections is of the most beneficial character; at the same time that it steadily maintains a fair secretion of urine, and relieves aching of the back....its influence upon other portions of the system has almost been overlooked.  For all forms of nervous feebleness and irritability of a chronic character, it is an excellent agent; and it exerts a highly favourable influence over spermatorhea.  On the mucous membranes it exerts a mild tonic influence, which slowly abates excessive mucous discharges, but this action is wholly tonic. and may be used for catarrhal and leucorrheal discharges, as will as for chronic dysentery."
 
 
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