Spanish Pellitory

Spanish Pellitory, also known as Anacyclus pyrethrum, belongs to the daisy family (Asteraceae) and is native above all to the Mediterranean region and North Africa. In traditional medicine – especially in Ayurveda and Unani medicine – it has a long history as a powerful natural remedy. It is also frequently referred to as Spanish pepper or Akkarkara and is known for its intense, slightly burning effect, which can already be felt when chewing the root. Botanically, Spanish Pellitory resembles a small chamomile, yet in contrast to its delicate appearance stands the effect on the body attributed to it in naturopathy: stimulating, vitalizing, and strengthening. In modern phytotherapy, it is increasingly being researched as an adaptogen and herbal aphrodisiac – especially in connection with hormonal balance, libido, and stress resilience.

What health benefits does Spanish Pellitory offer?

In traditional medicine, Spanish Pellitory is credited with a whole range of different health benefits. Scientific works likewise point to a broad medicinal potential of the plant, but more research is necessary to sufficiently validate the findings to date. Previous studies should also be viewed critically, as some of them are animal studies and, in general, the results cannot always be transferred.

  • Strengthening libido and fertility: In traditional use, Spanish Pellitory is valued as an aphrodisiac for men and women. It is said to increase libido, improve semen quality, and support hormonal balance (1,2).
  • Adaptogenic effect: Similar to ginseng or ashwagandha, Spanish Pellitory can help improve the body's own stress resistance. This makes it interesting for people with chronic stress, exhaustion, or burnout tendencies (3).
  • Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties: Various studies have been able to link the active compounds in Spanish Pellitory to both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (2,3,4
  • Antimicrobial effect: Research suggests a great antimicrobial potential emanating from the active compounds contained in the plant (2,5,6)
  • Dental health: The pungent-tasting root was traditionally chewed for toothaches and gum inflammation. Its local anesthetic properties can provide short-term relief (2,7).
  • Antidiabetic properties: A number of different scientific works showed that the active compounds in the plant could help relieve symptoms of diabetes (2,8,9).
  • Positive effects on depression: Various studies imply positive effects on depression (2,10)

How does Spanish Pellitory work in the body?

According to studies, the effects of Spanish Pellitory are based on a mix of secondary plant compounds, including above all alkylamides, sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, and pellitorine (2).

Are there side effects or risks?

In moderate doses, Spanish Pellitory is considered well tolerated. Nevertheless, a few points should be kept in mind, and use should only take place under medical supervision:

  • Potentially toxic: The therapeutic use of A. pyrethrum can cause various toxic reactions, including skin and mucous membrane irritation, gastrointestinal complaints (such as colic, diarrhea, cramps), headaches, nausea, breathing disorders, ringing in the ears, and in severe cases even fainting (1).
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Due to a lack of evidence about its effects, the root should not be used during this time.

Conclusion

Spanish Pellitory is a remarkable representative of traditional herbal medicine that has been used for a wide variety of problems. Studies likewise suggest a great medicinal potential, but more research is necessary in order to conclusively determine the individual effects of the plant.

Sources:

  1. Jawhari F.Z., El Moussaoui A., Bourhia M., Imtara H., Mechchate H., Es-Safi I., Ullah R., Ezzeldin E., Mostafa G.A., Grafov A., et al. Anacyclus pyrethrum (L): Chemical Composition, Analgesic, Anti-Inflammatory, and Wound Healing Properties. Molecules. 2020;25:5469. doi: 10.3390/molecules25225469.
  2. Elazzouzi, H., Fadili, K., Cherrat, A., Amalich, S., Zekri, N., Zerkani, H., Tagnaout, I., Hano, C., Lorenzo, J. M., & Zair, T. (2022). Phytochemistry, Biological and Pharmacological Activities of the Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) Lag: A Systematic Review. Plants (Basel, Switzerland), 11(19), 2578. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11192578
  3. Rimbau V., Risco E., Canigueral S., Iglesias J. Anti-inflammatory Activity of Some Extracts from Plants used in the Traditional Medicine of North-African Countries. Phytother. Res. 1996;10:421–423. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199608)10:5<421::AID-PTR851>3.0.CO;2-U.
  4. awhari F.Z., Moussaoui A.E.L., Bourhia M., Imtara H., Saghrouchni H., Ammor K., Ouassou H., Elamine Y., Ullah R., Ezzeldin E., et al. Anacyclus pyrethrum var. pyrethrum (L.) and Anacyclus pyrethrum var. depressus (Ball) Maire: Correlation between Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents with Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Chemically Characterized Extracts. Plants. 2021;10:149. doi: 10.3390/plants10010149.
  5. Elazzouzi H., Soro A., Elhilali F., Bentayeb A., Alaoui M., Belghiti E. Phytochemical study of Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) of Middle Atlas (Morocco), and in vitro study of antibacterial activity of pyrethrum. Adv. Nat. Appl. Sci. 2014;8:131–140.
  6. Chavan P.A. Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Various Medicinal Plants Extracts of Latur Zone against Pathogens. Int. J. Life Sci. Sci. Res. 2016;2:612–618. doi: 10.21276/ijlssr.2016.2.5.18.
  7. Patel V.K., Patel R.V., Bhatt H., Gopalakrishna G., Devasankariah G. A clinical appraisal of Anacyclus pyrethrum root extract in dental patients. Phytother. Res. 1992;6:158–159. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2650060313.
  8. Kumar V.K., Lalitha K.G. In vitro study on α-amylase inhibitory activity of an Ayurvedic medicinal plant, Anacyclus pyrethrum DC root. Indian J. Pharm. 2014;46:350–351. doi: 10.4103/0253-7613.132204.
  9. Shahraki M.R., Dehvari J., Shahrakipoo M., Shahreki E., Sharaki R.A., Dashipour A.R. The Effects of Anacyclus pyrethrum Alcoholic Root Extract on FSH, LH, Testosterone and Sperm Count in Diabetic Male Rats. Zahedan J. Res. Med. Sci. 2019;21:e88515. doi: 10.5812/zjrms.88515.
  10. Sujith K., Suba V., Ronald Darwin C. Neuropharmacological Profile of Ethanolic Extract of Anacyclus Pyrethrum in Albino Wistar Rats. Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Res. 2011;2:2109–2114.