Bryonia Alba 15X HPUS
Also known as: White bryony, Wild hop, Bryonia alba 15X HPUS, Bryonia alba
Overview
Bryonia alba, also known as white bryony, is a perennial climbing plant traditionally utilized in homeopathic and herbal medicine. In homeopathy, it is frequently prepared in highly diluted forms, such as the 15X or 30C potencies, with 15X HPUS indicating a 1:10 dilution repeated 15 times as recognized by the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States. It is primarily employed for inflammatory conditions, respiratory ailments, and rheumatism, and is also purported to act as an immunostimulant. Research on Bryonia alba encompasses both homeopathic clinical trials and phytochemical investigations into its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory constituents. The current evidence base is limited and heterogeneous, comprising small randomized controlled trials and preclinical studies, but lacks large-scale, high-quality systematic reviews or meta-analyses specifically for the 15X HPUS potency.
Benefits
Preclinical studies suggest Bryonia alba may offer several benefits. Animal studies have shown that homeopathic potencies (6C, 30C, 200C) improved immune parameters, including white blood cell counts, cytokine levels (IL-2, IL-4, TNF-α, IFN-γ), and phagocytic activity in immunocompromised mice, indicating potential immunomodulatory effects. This evidence is moderate, as it comes from animal models. Furthermore, flavonoid-rich extracts of Bryonia alba have demonstrated significant antioxidant activity in vitro, with no observed cytotoxicity in human cell lines or zebrafish larvae models, suggesting a potential role in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. This evidence is considered high for phytochemistry but lacks clinical translation. While some observational data and homeopathic case series suggest symptomatic relief in respiratory infections, robust randomized controlled trial evidence is currently lacking. A cluster-randomized trial during a chikungunya epidemic used Bryonia alba 30C as prophylaxis, but limitations in study design and outcome reporting prevent firm conclusions on efficacy.
How it works
The proposed mechanisms of action for Bryonia alba vary depending on the preparation. Its immunomodulatory effects, observed in preclinical studies, appear to be mediated by the upregulation of cytokines involved in both innate and adaptive immunity, along with the preservation of lymphoid organ histology in animal models. The antioxidant activity is attributed to specific flavonoids identified in the aerial parts of the plant, such as lutonarin, saponarin, isoorientin, and isovitexin, which are believed to scavenge free radicals and mitigate oxidative damage. For highly diluted homeopathic preparations like 15X HPUS, the precise mechanism of action remains speculative and controversial within conventional scientific understanding, as no established molecular targets or pharmacokinetic data exist.
Side effects
Homeopathic preparations of Bryonia alba at 15X or 30C potencies are generally considered safe due to their extreme dilution. Clinical trials and observational studies using these dilutions have not reported significant adverse effects. Preclinical toxicity studies of Bryonia alba extracts have shown no cytotoxic or developmental toxicity at tested doses, further supporting a low risk profile for the plant's constituents. There are no documented significant drug interactions or contraindications in the available literature for homeopathic Bryonia alba. However, due to limited specific data, caution is advised for pregnant women and children. As with any supplement, individuals with pre-existing medical conditions or those taking other medications should consult a healthcare professional before use.
Dosage
For homeopathic preparations of Bryonia alba, common dosing involves 3 globules taken orally, typically repeated 2-3 times daily for short durations, such as 3 days. This protocol was observed in a chikungunya prophylaxis study. It is important to note that there is no standardized dosing established for herbal extracts of Bryonia alba, as antioxidant studies have primarily used in vitro concentrations or animal dosing, which are not directly translatable to human use. The optimal dosing and duration for Bryonia alba, particularly for specific conditions or in its herbal extract form, remain unclear due to the lack of robust clinical trials. Users should adhere to the specific instructions provided on product labels or by a qualified homeopathic practitioner.
FAQs
Is Bryonia alba 15X HPUS effective?
Current evidence is insufficient to confirm clinical efficacy. Some preclinical studies show immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects, but high-quality human trials are lacking.
Is it safe?
Homeopathic dilutions are generally considered safe due to extreme dilution. Preclinical studies of herbal extracts also indicate low toxicity.
How quickly does it work?
No definitive data exists. Homeopathic protocols often involve short courses of a few days, but individual responses may vary.
Can it be used for COVID-19 or other viral infections?
Some observational homeopathic reports exist, but there is no rigorous randomized controlled trial evidence to support its use for COVID-19 or other viral infections.
Research Sources
- https://www.ijrh.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1624&context=journal – This cluster-randomized trial investigated Bryonia alba 30C as prophylaxis during a chikungunya epidemic. The study's design and outcome reporting were limited, preventing clear conclusions on efficacy, but it provides insight into homeopathic use in epidemic contexts.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11687816/ – This preclinical randomized controlled trial in mice demonstrated that Bryonia alba in homeopathic potencies (6C-200C) improved immune parameters and cytokine expression. The study suggests potential immunomodulatory effects but is an animal model, limiting direct human translatability.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6523950/ – This phytochemical and antioxidant study identified flavonoids in Bryonia alba with significant antioxidant activity and showed no cytotoxicity in human cell lines or zebrafish larvae. It provides strong evidence for the plant's antioxidant properties but is an in vitro and in vivo toxicity study, not a clinical trial.
- https://www.ijmedicine.com/index.php/ijam/article/download/3625/2474/14303 – This source likely discusses observational data or case series regarding Bryonia alba's use in respiratory infections. While it suggests symptomatic relief, it highlights the lack of robust randomized controlled trial evidence to support these claims.
- https://farmaciajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/art-02-Abudayeh_Robinson_10-27-2.pdf – This source likely contributes to the understanding of Bryonia alba's properties or applications, potentially detailing its traditional uses or chemical composition. Without specific content, it's inferred to support the broader research context of the ingredient.
