American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

In poisonous doses it causes a fall of temperature, dizziness, delirium,
weak pulse, cold perspiration, dilated pupils and other evidences of a
depressing action on the nervous system. The recent root is highly
irritant when locally applied, and capable of producing, vesication. The
results from laboratory observations of this agent do not to any degree
suggest its clinical adaptions. These have been deter-mined by the
closest of clinical observation.
Specific Symptomatology—The following symptoms demand the use of
bryonia: Distress or pain in acute inflammatory disease, which is
aggravated by movement increased by pressure; elevated temperature,
with hard, frequent, vibratile pulse; the muscular structures sore and
tender, as if bruised; acute lung or bronchial disorders, with no
expectoration, dry cough, short and harsh, or hacking, with soreness
increased by coughing; flushed right cheek frontal pain extending to the
basilar region; irritating cough.
Again: Sharp, cutting, lancinating or tearing pain from serous
inflammation; increased muscular tension, and tenderness on pressure,
aggravated by motion; headache on the right side; inflamed lung
structure, with pain and soreness relieved by lying on the inflamed side,
usually with a bright spot on one cheek. Chronic soreness in the chest,
without fever, with harsh, dry, sharp cough. With this latter indication its
influence is often enhanced by alternation with small doses of
belladonna.
Bryonia promotes the elimination of heat, and like aconite, it opposes the
dryness of the mucous membranes induced by inflammation which
suspends secretion. It acts upon all serous membranes directly as stated.
It also acts upon the viscera covered by these membranes. It is thus
valuable in enteritis, in the inflammation of the glandular organs, and in
pulmonary and bronchial inflammations, always looking for its precise
indications—tenderness on pressure, tiny shooting pains, or pain
increased by motion.
The absorption of inflammatory products, either of a serous or
sanguineous character, is greatly facilitated by this remedy. It opposes
the breaking down of tissue and pus formation. Its influence upon
inflammatory processes and upon the results of inflammation is even
more positive in certain cases than aconite.
Therapy—Bryonia is a remedy of great value in the treatment of all acute
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 83