Goutweed
Goutweed is a plant whose seeds and parts growing above the ground are used to make medicine. Goutweed (Latin name Ammi Majus) should not be confused with the more commonly used and related Khella (Latin name Ammi Visnaga). These two plant species contain the same chemicals and have similar effects in the body. However, goutweed is more commonly used to treat skin conditions, while khella is usually used for heart and lung conditions. The prescription drug methoxsalen was originally extracted from goutweed, but is now produced synthetically in the laboratory. Methoxsalen is used to treat psoriasis.
What are the areas of application for goutweed?
Goutweed is used for digestive disorders, asthma, chest pain, kidney stones and water retention. Goutweed is also used for rheumatic diseases. This is a disease category that includes autoimmune diseases and diseases that affect joints and soft tissue. Gout and arthritis are examples of rheumatic diseases. Goutweed is also used for hemorrhoids, as well as kidney, bladder and digestive tract disorders. Some people apply goutweed directly to the skin to treat skin conditions including psoriasis and white spot disease.
How does goutweed work?
Goutweed contains several chemicals that are used to make a prescription medication to treat psoriasis.
How effective is goutweed?
There is not enough scientific data to assess the effectiveness of goutweed for gout and other rheumatic diseases, hemorrhoids, kidney disorders, bladder disorders and digestive tract disorders. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of goutweed for these conditions.
Safety and side effects
There is not enough information available to assess whether goutweed is safe and harmless. When taken orally, goutweed can cause nausea, vomiting and headaches. Some people are allergic to goutweed. For them, goutweed can cause a runny nose, skin rash or hives. There are also concerns that goutweed can damage the liver and the retina of the eye. Goutweed can make the skin extremely sensitive to sunlight. This could increase the risk of skin cancer. For this reason, a sunblock should be used while using goutweed outdoors, especially for people with fair skin.
Precautions and warnings
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: It is not safe to use goutweed during pregnancy. Goutweed contains a chemical called khellin, which can cause contractions of the uterus that can jeopardize pregnancy. It is also best to avoid goutweed while breastfeeding, as there is not enough information to say whether goutweed is safe for breastfed children.
Liver disease: There is evidence that goutweed may aggravate liver disease.
Operations: Goutweed could slow down blood clotting. There are concerns that goutweed may increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. For this reason, you should stop using goutweed at least 2 weeks before an operation.
Interactions
Care should be taken when combining goutweed with the following medications:
Medications that are broken down by the liver (cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates).
Some drugs are broken down by the liver. Goutweed may slow down the rate at which the liver breaks down certain drugs. Taking goutweed in combination with medications that are broken down by the liver may increase the effects and side effects of some medications. For this reason, you should consult your doctor before taking goutweed if you are taking medication that is broken down by the liver.
Medication that can damage the liver
Goutweed could damage the liver. Taking goutweed in combination with medication that can also damage the liver could increase the risk of liver damage. For this reason, you should not take goutweed if you are taking medication that can damage the liver.
Medications that can increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight
Some medications can increase sensitivity to sunlight. Goutweed could also increase sensitivity to sunlight. Taking goutweed in combination with medications that can increase sensitivity to sunlight can increase the risk of sunburn, blistering or reddening of areas of skin exposed to the sun. For this reason, you should use a sunblock when taking such a combination and wear protective clothing when spending time in the sun.
Medications that slow down blood clotting
Goutweed could slow down blood clotting. Taking goutweed in combination with medications that slow down blood clotting could increase the risk of bleeding and the tendency to bruise.
Dosage
An appropriate dosage of goutweed depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At this time, there is insufficient scientific data to determine appropriate dosage ranges for goutweed. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.