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White felted ragwort

White felted ragwort, also known as silver felted ragwort, bicolored ragwort, silver leaf or ash plant, is a Mediterranean plant whose parts growing above the ground are used to make medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, white felt ragweed is used to treat "spots before the eyes" and migraine headaches. Women use white felted ragwort to induce their periods.

White feltragwort is sometimes used as an eye wash for clouding of the eye lens and blurred vision.

How does white felted ragwort work?

There is not enough information available to say how white felt ragweed might work.

How effective is white felt ragweed?

There is not enough scientific data available to make a statement about the effectiveness of white felted ragwort for migraine headaches, for inducing menstrual flow, taken orally or used as an eyewash for vision problems. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of white felted ragwort in these applications.

Safety and side effects

White feltragweed may not be safe and harmless. There are many concerns regarding the use of white felt ragweed as a medicine because white felt ragweed may contain chemicals known as hepatoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids. These chemicals can block blood flow in the veins and cause liver damage. Hepatoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids can also cause cancer and birth defects. Preparations of white felt ragwort that are not certified free of hepatoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids are not considered safe. It is also not safe to apply white felt ragweed to damaged skin. The dangerous chemicals that may be present in this plant are absorbed much faster through damaged skin, which can lead to dangerous body-wide toxicity. One should avoid preparations containing white felt ragweed for application to the skin unless they are certified free of hepatoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids. There is not enough information on whether it is safe and harmless to apply white felt ragweed to undamaged skin.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: It is not safe to use white felt ragweed products that may contain hepatoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids during pregnancy, as these products may cause birth defects and liver damage. The use of white felt ragwort products, which may contain hepatoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, is also strongly discouraged during breastfeeding, as these chemicals may pass into breast milk and harm the nursing infant. It is not known whether products certified as free from hepatoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids made from white felt ragwort are safe and harmless during pregnancy and breastfeeding, which is why pregnant and breastfeeding women should also avoid these products to be on the safe side.

Allergies to broomweed and related plants: White felted ragweed could cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this plant family include broomsedge, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies and many others. If you suffer from allergies, you should consult your doctor before taking white felted ragwort.

Liver disorders: There are concerns that hepatoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which may be present in white felted ragwort, may aggravate liver disorders.

Interactions

Caution should be exercised when combining white felted ragwort with the following medications:

Medications that may accelerate the breakdown of other medications by the liver:

White-feltedragweed is broken down by the liver. Some chemicals that are produced by the liver during the breakdown of white felt ragwort can be harmful. Medications that can accelerate the breakdown of white felt ragwort by the liver may increase the toxic effects of these breakdown products.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of white felt ragweed depends on various factors such as age, health status and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for white felt ragweed. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

  1. Chojkier M. Hepatic sinusoidal-obstruction syndrome: toxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. J Hepatol 2003;39:437-46.
  2. Danesch U, Rittinghausen R. Safety of a patented special butterbur root extract for migraine prevention. Headache 2003;43:76-8.
  3. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Advises Dietary Supplement Manufacturers to Remove Comfrey Products From the Market. July 6, 2001. available at: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/dspltr06.html.
  4. Roeder E. Medicinal plants in Europe containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Pharmacy 1995;50:83-98.
  5. Wang YP, Yan J, Fu PP, Chou MW. Human liver microsomal reduction of pyrrolizidine alkaloid N-oxides to form the corresponding carcinogenic parent alkaloid. Toxicol Lett 2005;155:411-20.
  6. WHO working group. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Environmental Health Criteria, 80. WHO: Geneva, 1988.