Thorny hackberry

The Thorny hackberry, botanically Ononis spinosa, is a perennial subshrub from the family of legumes (Fabaceae). The plant is widespread in Europe and prefers to grow in sunny, dry locations such as meadows, path edges, or embankments. Characteristic are the woody, strongly branched stems covered with thorns, which give the plant its name. With its small, pink to purple papilionaceous flowers, it is also visually striking.

Traditionally, the Thorny hackberry has been used since antiquity both in folk medicine and as a pasture plant, with the root in particular being of importance. Today it is considered a typical medicinal plant of Central Europe and is also a component of various herbal medicinal products.

What benefits does the Thorny hackberry offer for health?

In naturopathy, the Thorny hackberry is valued above all for its effect on the urinary tract. Scientific investigations are also increasingly examining the plant's constituents. Although considerably more research is needed before conclusive statements can be made, some results have already been published. The frequently mentioned benefits include:

  • Inflammation inhibition: In studies, various extracts show anti-inflammatory properties through interaction with the TLR4 signaling pathway (1,2).
  • Analgesic effect: In studies, extracts of the Thorny hackberry showed that they exhibit a pain-relieving effect. Within the scope of the investigation, this was classified as equally potent or even more potent than aspirin (2,3)
  • Antioxidant effect: In scientific investigations, active compounds of the plant have been associated with an antioxidant effect (2).
  • Anticarcinogenic effect: Studies suggest a cancer-inhibiting effect, which could be based on strong cytotoxic activity against some cell lines (2).
  • Antifungal effect: Tests showed a potent antifungal effect originating from constituents of the plant. This was evident in investigations with various fungal species (4).
  • Litholytic effect: The results of one study suggest that O. spinosa L. could have a dissolving effect on kidney stones (5).

How does the Thorny hackberry work in the body?

The effect is presumably based mainly on the isoflavonoids, phytosterols, and triterpenes contained in the root (1)

Are there risks or side effects?

  • Not without medical supervision: Since the study situation is not yet meaningful enough, use should never take place without medical supervision.
  • Not in cases of water retention due to cardiac or renal insufficiency: In such cases, the plant should not be used.
  • Irritation in the gastrointestinal area: In sensitive individuals, highly dosed preparations can cause mild discomfort.
  • Not for long-term use: As with many medicinal plants, intake should be limited in time.

Conclusion

The Thorny hackberry (Ononis spinosa) is an old Central European medicinal plant with a distinctive appearance. Its thorn-armored stems make it unmistakable in the field, while its roots have been used medicinally for centuries. Especially for mild urinary tract complaints, it is a well-established herbal remedy in naturopathy, whose effectiveness is also recognized in modern phytotherapy. Studies likewise point to a broadly diversified medicinal potential; in general, however, more studies are needed to be able to conclusively understand its effect.

Sources:

  1. Spiegler, V., Gierlikowska, B., Saenger, T., Addotey, J. N., Sendker, J., Jose, J., Kiss, A. K., & Hensel, A. (2020). Root Extracts From Ononis spinosa Inhibit IL-8 Release via Interactions With Toll-Like Receptor 4 and Lipopolysaccharide. Frontiers in pharmacology, 11, 889. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.00889
  2. Al-Snafi, A. E. (2020). The traditional uses, constituents and pharmacological effects of Ononis spinosa. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 10(1), 53–59
  3. Yılmaz BS, Ozbek H, Citoglu GS, Ugra S, Bayram I and Erdogan E. Analgesic and hepatotoxic effects of Ononis spinosa L. Phytother Res 2006; 20: 500-503.
  4. Stojković, D., Dias, M. I., Drakulić, D., Barros, L., Stevanović, M., C F R Ferreira, I., & D Soković, M. (2020). Methanolic Extract of the Herb Ononis spinosa L. Is an Antifungal Agent with no Cytotoxicity to Primary Human Cells. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 13(4), 78. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph13040078
  5. Bashan, I., & Bozlu, M. (2020). The possible litholytic effect of Ononis spinosa L. on various human kidney stones—An in vitro experimental evaluation. Journal of Herbal Medicine, 22, 100345.[ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hermed.2020.100345