Herbal-Sternutatives?

[resolution]

Anybody have any experience with the various herbs said to cause sneezing?

Ofcourse I'm ruling out the most infamous (Hellebore) since there are various serious health concerns attached to it.

But what about the less extreme ones: Wood Betony, Orris Root, Bayberry Root Bark

All of these herbs are sold in fine powder form and are said to be effective at causing sneezing; very effective.

I recently bought Bayberry Root bark powder. There was info all over the net describing it as causing "violent" and "convulsive" sneezing. Turns out it just smells nice well it gives a minor runny nose but that's it. Ofcourse i have only tested it on myself, I haven't gotten anyone else to try it out yet. but I doubt there would be much of a difference

Well I have an upcoming shipment of Wood Betony powder on the way, it boasts that "A pinch of the powdered herb will provoke violent sneezing". We'll see; i'll keep you updated.

They say Bayberry root can be used as an additive for tea, maybe that's what i'll do with it.

[Vetinari]

Yes, keep us posted please. None of the things you sniff make me sneeze much either, snuff did the first few times but then stopped. Though runny noses can be nice too!

[resolution]

Yes, keep us posted please. None of the things you sniff make me sneeze much either, snuff did the first few times but then stopped. Though runny noses can be nice too!

Speaking of snuff, one doctor here makes reference to a German snuff which actually contains the same alkaloid that is present in the aforementioned herb Hellebore, but in careful quantities that apparently render it safe. Since my German dosen't go too far beyond the lyrics to Bach Cantatas, I haven't done too well at attempting to find it on the net.

http://books.google.com/books?id=6bVXAAAAM...ing&f=false

[gryffin]

Also the unoriginally-named sneezewort (Achillea ptarmica) is supposed to have sternutatory effects. Perhaps it's worth a try?

[resolution]

Also the unoriginally-named sneezewort (Achillea ptarmica) is supposed to have sternutatory effects. Perhaps it's worth a try?

Haven't seen it for sale in powdered form anywhere, nor Sneeze Weed (Helenium Autumnale).

[resolution]

O.K. first update.

After taking the Blackberry Root bark powder there was initially no response. After a little while, as I mentioned, there was the side effect of a slight runny nose. This side effect actually remained for hours (and only in the nostril that had been exposed) which i suppose is pretty interesting. There was also a faint sneeze sensation throughout. Pehaps i didn't take enough; how much of the stuff is required?

Anyway, I just today got the shipment of Wood Betony powder. LOVE the aroma, smells like a fragrant tea, and looks almost exactly like White pepper. I took two times the recommended dosage to "induce violent sneezing" and the only side effect is a whitish-gray upperlip. Hmmm, once again I'll keep you posted.

Edit: by the way, the good thing about these herbs for anyone who wants to try them is that the characteristic stinging sensation that goes with more familiar herbs like Black and white pepper are not in play. This is especially the case with the Wood Betony.

[count tiszula]

Most informative; do keep us advised.

I suppose that the most extreme fetishy activity of this type would be to attempt to grow a sneezewood tree [pleasingly named Ptaeroxylon oblquum. I learn] [or nieshout]. In fact a grove of sneezewood. I am reliably informed by a South African person that it really does cause sneezing if one say sits under it for any length of time. The bark is used as a sternutatory in traditional African medicine [so must be on sale somewhere....]

There really ought to be a ptaerophiliac fic about it.

As for the rest, I suppose Ich habe genug would be the correct tag; though one might hope for "Heute wirst du mit mir in Paradies sein".

[gryffin]

After taking the Blackberry Root bark powder there was initially no response. After a little while, as I mentioned, there was the side effect of a slight runny nose. This side effect actually remained for hours (and only in the nostril that had been exposed) which i suppose is pretty interesting. There was also a faint sneeze sensation throughout. Pehaps i didn't take enough; how much of the stuff is required?

One of the guys who reports having tried bayberry root bark powder (http://alt.nntp2http.com/support/sinusitis...cb0441c932.html) says that 1/32 to 1/16 of a teaspoon was enough as "a mild irritant that initiates a draining response and at times a violent sneezing respo[n]se" -- that is, sneezing is not certain although an extremely small quantity is sufficient in any case.

So, shall we move to the South African bush? Oder haben Sie genug?

[resolution]

After taking the Blackberry Root bark powder there was initially no response. After a little while, as I mentioned, there was the side effect of a slight runny nose. This side effect actually remained for hours (and only in the nostril that had been exposed) which i suppose is pretty interesting. There was also a faint sneeze sensation throughout. Pehaps i didn't take enough; how much of the stuff is required?

One of the guys who reports having tried bayberry root bark powder (http://alt.nntp2http.com/support/sinusitis...cb0441c932.html) says that 1/32 to 1/16 of a teaspoon was enough as "a mild irritant that initiates a draining response and at times a violent sneezing respo[n]se" -- that is, sneezing is not certain although an extremely small quantity is sufficient in any case.

Well that makes sense, I definately see that draining response (I guess I should proceed on the basis of personal testimony rather than generic text descriptions).

I wonder what the excuse is for the Wood Betony powder.

So, shall we move to the South African bush? Oder haben Sie genug?

We probably would if I could locate a place that sells it on the net.

[gryffin]

So, shall we move to the South African bush? Oder haben Sie genug?

We probably would if I could locate a place that sells it on the net.

http://www.thebotanicalsource.com/ptaeroxy...eeds-p-318.html

http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/15690027/20...Indigenous.html

but they sell only the seeds, alas!

(more information on the plant and cultivation at http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantnop/ptaeroxylonobliq.htm)

Should you think that sneezewort is easier to grow than a steel-hard South African tree, you can try http://www.shopwiki.co.uk/achillea+ptarmica?sb=1 or http://www.sandmountainherbs.com/sneeze_wort.html...

:)

[resolution]

So, shall we move to the South African bush? Oder haben Sie genug?

We probably would if I could locate a place that sells it on the net.

http://www.thebotanicalsource.com/ptaeroxy...eeds-p-318.html

http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/15690027/20...Indigenous.html

but they sell only the seeds, alas!

(more information on the plant and cultivation at http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantnop/ptaeroxylonobliq.htm)

Should you think that sneezewort is easier to grow than a steel-hard South African tree, you can try http://www.shopwiki.co.uk/achillea+ptarmica?sb=1 or http://www.sandmountainherbs.com/sneeze_wort.html...

:)

Well yes, I saw the seeds for sale.

As for growing Sneezewort, I'm a New Yorker, I have no plans to grow a plant for months and then pulverize into powder.

I did also see Sneezewood planks for sale

http://cgi.ebay.com/10-Exotic-Sneezewood-T...7QQcmdZViewItem

I guess all I need now is a buzz-saw lol.

Oh and Thanks for the recommendation Count.

[resolution]

A list of various herbs that are considered to be Sternutatory..

Achillea ptarmica: Pearl Sneezewort Flower / Blossom, Herb / Grass

Alliaria officinalis: Flixweed

Arnica angustifolia alpina: Arctic Arnica

Arnica cordifolia: Heartleaf arnica

Arnica fulgens: Hillside arnica

Arnica montana : Arnica

Asarum europaeum: Asarabacca

Asarum sieboldii : Wild ginger

Asclepias eriocarpa: Woollypod milkweed

Betonica officinalis: Betony

Convallaria majalis: Lily of the Valley Root

Erigeron philadelphicus: Philadelphia fleabane

Helenium autumnale: common sneezeweed

Helenium puberulum: Rosilla

Helleborus niger : Black hellebore Rhizome / Rootstock

Myrica cerifera: American Bayberry

Nerium oleander: Oleander

Primula veris: Cowslip

Saponaria officinalis: Boucing bess

Veratrum album : European white-hellebore Root

Veratrum nigrum: Black False-helleborine Root

[Sneesee]

I know where there is a bunch of sneezeweed, but since it's in a forest preserve, I'm not supposed to pick it. It's actually very pretty, and tempting to try! The woman in charge of my forest preserve district said that it indeed causes sneezing when picked. However, it's in a protected area, so I won't pick it. I may go back and smell it, though.

[resolution]

I know where there is a bunch of sneezeweed, but since it's in a forest preserve, I'm not supposed to pick it. It's actually very pretty, and tempting to try! The woman in charge of my forest preserve district said that it indeed causes sneezing when picked. However, it's in a protected area, so I won't pick it. I may go back and smell it, though.

Interesting. The stuff I have read about Sneezeweed has always suggested that it received the name because the leaves were once ground up to make a powder that would then cause sneezing if it was inhaled; The plant itself only causing reactions in people with general pollen allergies. Ofcourse it would be great if the women you mentioned is right.

On a slightly different topic, I am awaiting my delivery of sneezeWOOD.

If any one else is interested there is a VERY cheap seller here

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sneezewood-Pen-Blank-t...p3286.m20.l1116

Hey I'll even swing the cost for any ladies planning on making wavs J/k

.....maybe

[resolution]

Quick update. Received shipment of a wood that was marketed as South African Sneeze Wood (Ptaeroxylon oblquum)

The saw dust caused minor nasal irritation, that was about it.

I can't compare it's effects to normal sawdust for I haven't been around it since woodshop in school.

Ofcourse the quantities of sawdust here are much more minute than what someone would be exposed to while logging was going on, which is the context in which the wood is said to cause violent sneezing.

Hmm, all this searching and i haven't found anything clearly superior to plain old White Pepper.

[Lynne]

an old member here once told me he made his own sneezing powder from ground ginger and white pepper mixed in equal quantities - he said it never failed him.

[resolution]

an old member here once told me he made his own sneezing powder from ground ginger and white pepper mixed in equal quantities - he said it never failed him.

Thanks. White pepper and a particular brand of Ginger Beer have always been the best in my experience (and i'm always generous with my Ginger Beer when i have visitors ).

I wasn't so much looking for "something that would work" as much as checking up on the hype behind these herbs to see if they could even surpass the methods I'm familar with.