Description: Dried Buckbean or Bogbean, Menianthos trifoliata
Origin: USA
Properties and Traditional Use: The tea of Bogbean may act as a mild diuretic and laxative. Bogbean contains bitters (caffeic and ferrulic acids) which stimulate the appetite, the bile and the release of digestive juices. This is why the tea was used as a digestive aid and as a tonic after a wasting or debilitating disease, and was administered in cases of rheumatism and arthritis, for glandular swellings, and as a diuretic. However it has been most used in the treatment of rheumatism and arthritis.
It has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties and a beneficial effect on the kidneys “Anti-inflammatory studies of Menyanthes trifoliata related to the effect shown against renal failure in rats” H Tunớn and L. Bohler in Phytomedicine Vol 2 (2) pp.105-112.
Warning: Because of the lack of scientific evidence to prove otherwise, it is not advisable to use this herb if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.