Bryonia alba is a member of the gourd family. It is also known as bryony, white bryony, and wild hops. Traditionally, it has been used for shortness of breath, coughing, clearing of mucus, and easing chest congestion. Bryonia is commonly used for people who become very irritable when ill and who often suffer from anxiety. These patients are frequently described as contrary—requesting things and then rejecting them once delivered. 
In homeopathic practice, Bryonia is most commonly used for ailments that develop slowly and involve pain that is aggravated by even the slightest movement. The patient generally feels better when lying on the painful side and improves with pressure, rest, or cold applications. Symptoms tend to worsen with warmth, motion, mornings, eating, hot weather, exertion, or touch. Symptoms are often accompanied by spells of thirst or dryness of the eyes or mouth—frequently following overexposure to heat or cold.
Bryonia has traditionally been used for chest inflammation, pneumonia, headaches, and rheumatic pains.
