Modern Herbals
In modern herbals, Cyclamen are described as a 'Self-esteem builder essence', which allows the person to get in touch with their self-esteem and confidence.
In addition to this rather vague reference, there are a number of more specific applications:
A homeopathic tincture is made from fresh tubers and is applied as a liniment externally over the bowels, causing purging.
There is a story that in the past the tubers were baked and made into little flat cakes which were considered a good amorous medicine which caused the person eating them to fall violently in love.
The fresh tubers, bruised, and made into a cataplasm, make a stimulating application to indolent ulcers.
An ointment called 'Ointment of Arthainta' was made from the fresh tubers for expelling worms, and was rubbed on the umbilicus of children and on the abdomen of adultsto cause emesis, and in the region over the bladder to increase urinary discharge.
Dermatology
There are a number of references to dermatological problems with Cyclamen, but these are rare and no growers known to the author have been effected in any way.
A species of the genus produced a positive patch test reaction in one patient, negative in nine patients (Agrup 1969).
Cyclamen persicum: A positive patch test reaction to the leaf was observed in one patient (Agrup 1969).
Cyclamen persicum hybridum: A woman showed a positive patch test reaction to this hybrid and to Streptocarpus (Agrup and Fregert 1968).
Animals
The popular name 'Sowbread' comes from the fact that the tubers were a source of food for wild boar.
There is a report that Cyclamen are poisonous to cats and fish.