Arum

Arum (Arum maculatum) is a poisonous wild plant that is native to Europe and frequently grows in shady woodlands. It is known for its characteristic arrow-shaped leaves and the striking red fruit that forms in the fall. Historically, Arum was used in folk medicine to treat respiratory conditions and skin ailments. Due to its toxicity, however, it is today used almost exclusively in homeopathy.

What Benefits Does Arum Offer?

The use of Arum in modern medicine is severely limited. In traditional healing and homeopathy, however, Arum was and still is used for the following purposes:

  • Relief of respiratory conditions: Homeopathic preparations of Arum are used to treat hoarseness, sore throat, and inflammation of the airways.
  • Promotion of wound healing: In folk medicine, leaves or pieces of root were applied externally to treat minor skin injuries. The effectiveness of these applications has also been examined in studies and demonstrated to a certain degree (1,2). However, more research is needed to conclusively verify the effect
  • Pain relief: There are reports of the use of Arum for relief; here too, the scientific evidence is not exactly abundant (2).

Furthermore, Arum has also been linked to other effects in investigations. Here too, however, more research is still needed to comprehensively verify the results.

  • Antioxidant properties (2,3)
  • Anti-inflammatory effect (2)
  • Pro-inflammatory effect (2,5)
  • Antimicrobial effect (2,3,4)
  • Immunomodulating effect (2)

How Does Arum Work?

The effect of Arum is attributed to its constituents, which are present in the plant in varying concentrations:

  • Oxalate crystals: These fine, needle-shaped crystals can cause severe irritation on contact with mucous membranes or skin. In homeopathic doses, however, they are said to be able to have an anti-inflammatory effect. Research, however, hardly supports this hypothesis
  • Saponins: Known for numerous effects, they most likely contribute significantly to the various effects of Arum (6,7).

Usage Recommendation

Arum should never be used in raw or self-prepared form, as all parts of the plant are highly poisonous. Homeopathic preparations, which are available in highly diluted form, offer an alternative but should always be used according to the instructions of a physician or qualified professional.

What Risks Does the Use of Arum Involve?

  • Side effects: With improper use, symptoms such as burning in the mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, and even shortness of breath can occur. Consuming the berries or the root can be life-threatening.
  • Risks: Children and pets are particularly at risk, as the red berries look attractive but are highly poisonous.
  • Interactions: Interactions with medications have not been sufficiently researched, as Arum is rarely used in conventional medicine.

Conclusion

Arum is an interesting but also poisonous plant that was historically used in traditional medicine. Today it is used almost exclusively in homeopathy. Due to its toxicity, caution is advised, and use should always take place under expert guidance. Direct contact with the plant should be avoided, especially for children and pets.

Sources:

  1. Sakul AA, Okur ME, Ayla S, Daylan B, Karadag AE, Batur S, Ozdemir EM, Altinalan E, Gunal MY. Wound Healing Activity of Arum Maculatum. Medeni Med J. 2023 Mar 28;38(1):8-15. doi: 10.4274/MMJ.galenos.2022.73368. PMID: 36974384; PMCID: PMC10064101.
  2. ERGENE B, KARAASLAN M, . Food, medicine or a poisonous plant: Arum maculatum L.. J.Res.Pharm. 2023; 27(2): 493-507. http://dx.doi.org/10.29228/jrp.332
  3. Farahmandfar R, Esmaeilzadeh Kenari R, Asnaashari M, Shahrampour D, Bakhshandeh T. Bioactive compounds, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Arum maculatum leaves extracts as affected by various solvents and extraction methods. Food Sci Nutr. 2019 Jan 28;7(2):465-475. doi: 10.1002/fsn3.815. PMID: 30847124; PMCID: PMC6392860.
  4. Çolak, F. & Savaroǧlu, F. & Ilhan, Semra. (2009). Antibacterial and antifungal activities of Arum maculatum L. leaves extracts. Journal of Applied Biological Sciences. 3. 13-16.
  5. Alencar VB, Alencar NM, Assreuy AM, Mota ML, Brito GA, Aragão KS, Bittencourt FS, Pinto VP, Debray H, Ribeiro RA, Cavada BS. Pro-inflammatory effect of Arum maculatum lectin and role of resident cells. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2005 Sep;37(9):1805-14. doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2005.02.027. Epub 2005 Apr 13. PMID: 15914076.
  6. Sharma, Kartik & Kaur, Ramandeep & Kumar, Satish & Saini, Ramesh Kumar & Sharma, Surabhi & Pawde, Subhash & Kumar, Vikas. (2023). Saponins: A concise review on food related aspects, applications and health implications. Food Chemistry Advances. 2. 100191. 10.1016/j.focha.2023.100191.
  7. Bouzier, Audrey & Rojas, Janne & Koumba Ibinga, Sidrine & Ahmed, Lamarti & Martin, Patrick & Salcedo, Marielba. (2023). The impact of saponins on health-Review. 13. 362. 10.33263/BRIAC134.362.