Common lily of the valley

Pipe flower, also known as Easter lucia, is a plant whose root and parts growing above the ground are used to make medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, pipe flower is used to prevent seizures, increase sexual desire, improve immune system function and induce menstruation. It is also used to treat snake bites, digestive tract pain, gallbladder pain, arthritis, gout, painful joints, eczema, weight loss and wounds.

How does pipeflower work?

There is not enough information available to make a statement about how pipe flower works.

How effective is pipe flower?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of pipe flower in stimulating sexual desire, improving immune system function, inducing menstruation and treating seizures, colic, gallbladder pain, arthritis, gout, rheumatic pain, eczema, weight loss and wounds. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of pipeflower in these applications.

Are there any safety concerns?

Pipe flower is not safe or harmless. It contains aristolochic acid, which is toxic to the kidneys and is carcinogenic. The use of pipe flower can cause kidney damage, which may lead to the need for dialysis and a kidney transplant. In addition, the use of pipe flower components greatly increases the risk of bladder cancer and other cancers of the urinary tract. The health authorities in many countries have taken steps to protect the population from products containing components of the pipe flower or aristolochic acid. In Germany, other European countries, the USA and Japan, products made from the pipe flower are banned.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Products made from pipe flower are not safe for anyone, including pregnant and breastfeeding women. This plant contains aristolochic acid, which is toxic to the kidneys and causes cancer.

Diseases of the kidneys: Products made from pipe flower can cause premature kidney failure in people suffering from kidney disease.

Interactions

There is currently no information on interactions of pipeflower with medications or other supplements.

Dosage

There is insufficient scientific data to determine a standard dosage for products made from pipe flower.