River Ragwort

River Ragwort, botanically Senecio fluviatilis, belongs to the family of the composite flowers (Asteraceae). It is a wild plant native to Europe that grows preferentially in floodplains, along riverbanks and in damp meadows. With a height of up to two meters it is one of the more conspicuous ragwort species. The plant bears pinnate leaves and, from July to September, bright yellow flower heads arranged in corymbose panicles.

Ecologically, River Ragwort plays a role as a food source for insects, in particular bees and butterflies. Like many species of the genus Senecio, however, it also possesses constituents that limit its use and have a hepatotoxic effect.

What health benefits does River Ragwort offer?

In folk medicine, River Ragwort was used occasionally for external applications, even though it was always regarded with caution because of its constituents. For Senecio fluviatilis, science has documented no health benefits. Its use is not recommended, since the plant contains so-called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which have a strongly hepatotoxic effect and can be dangerous for humans as well as for farm animals. Other species of the genus Senecio are indeed occasionally associated in traditional medicine with effects such as support of the respiratory tract, strengthening of the immune system or the treatment of complaints such as diabetes and high blood pressure – yet these possible benefits are offset by serious risks. These include liver damage, an increased cancer risk as well as malformations. Consumption of Senecio fluviatilis should therefore be strictly avoided in order to prevent serious harm to health.

How does River Ragwort act in the body?

Since the plant, owing to its toxicity, is not used in medicine, one can hardly speak here of a pharmacological effect.

Are there any risks or side effects?

• Toxic constituents: River Ragwort contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can damage the liver and act as carcinogens.
• Internal use not recommended: The plant should not be used internally.
• External use traditionally widespread: For external application no serious risks are documented; nevertheless caution is advised and use should not take place without medical supervision.

Conclusion

River Ragwort (Senecio fluviatilis) is a conspicuous floodplain plant of ecological importance that was traditionally used in folk medicine. Because of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids it contains, however, the plant is unsuitable for internal use and potentially harmful to health. In current medicine the plant is not used at all, and research rates its potential toxicity as too high to justify internal use in any form. Today its role as a wild and insect plant is at the forefront, while its medicinal use has largely been abandoned.