Asarabacca
Scientific names: Asarum europaeum
Family: Aristolochiaceae
Alternate names: Asara, Asarabácara, Asaret du Caucase, Asaret d'Europe, Asari Herba, Asari Herba cum Radice, Ásaro Europeo, Asaroun, Asarum, Azarum, Cabaret, European Wild Ginger, False Coltsfoot, Gingembre Rouge, Gingembre Sauvage, Hazelwort, Nard Sauvage, Oreille d'Homme, Public House Plant, Rondelle, Snakeroot, Wild Ginger, Wild Nard, Wild Spikenard
Actions: Antiviral, Anti-inflammatory/anti-nociceptive, Antioxidant, Anti-proliferative, Serum zinc
Background
Asarabacca is a type of evergreen plant. It grows in Europe and parts of Asia. The root is used to make medicine.
People use asarabacca for conditions such as bronchitis, other lung infections, chest pain (angina), and many others, but there's no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse asarabacca with bitter milkwort or senega. All three are sometimes called "snakeroot." Also, don't confuse asarabacca with coltsfoot or ginger.
People use asarabacca for conditions such as bronchitis, other lung infections, chest pain (angina), and many others, but there's no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse asarabacca with bitter milkwort or senega. All three are sometimes called "snakeroot." Also, don't confuse asarabacca with coltsfoot or ginger.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Asarabacca that is verified as being "aristolochic acid-free" is POSSIBLY SAFE when used short-term. But asarabacca is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in large amounts or for longer durations. Large amount of asarabacca, even that which is verified as being "aristolochic acid-free," may cause nausea, vomiting, burning of the tongue, diarrhea, rash, and paralysis. Asarabacca that is not verified as being "aristolochic acid-free" is UNSAFE when taken by mouth for any length of time. Aristolochic acid can damage the kidney or cause cancer.
There isn't enough reliable information to know if asarabacca is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Stomach or intestinal (gastrointestinal, GI) problems: Asarabacca can irritate the GI tract. Don't use it if you have ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, or Crohn disease.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is LIKELY UNSAFE to take asarabacca if you are pregnant. It might start your period or cause the uterus to contract. These effects might cause a miscarriage. Avoid use.There isn't enough reliable information to know if asarabacca is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Stomach or intestinal (gastrointestinal, GI) problems: Asarabacca can irritate the GI tract. Don't use it if you have ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, or Crohn disease.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- Asthma.
- Chest pain (angina).
- Cough.
- Pneumonia.
- Migraine headaches.
- Dehydration.
- Liver diseases.
- Bronchitis.
- Causing vomiting.
- Starting the menstrual period.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of asarabacca depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for asarabacca. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Asarabacca interacts with any medicines. Before taking Asarabacca, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
The chemicals in asarabacca may have an effect on the lungs. Other chemicals in asarabacca might cause vomiting.
vital.ly has licensed monographs from TRC Healthcare.
This monograph was last reviewed on 26/08/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 17/09/2014 20:55:59. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
Natural Medicines disclaims any responsibility related to medical consequences of using any medical product. Effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this monograph is accurate at the time it was published. Consumers and medical professionals who consult this monograph are cautioned that any medical or product related decision is the sole responsibility of the consumer and/or the health care professional. A legal License Agreement sets limitations on downloading, storing, or printing content from this Database. No reproduction of this monograph or any content from this Database is permitted without written permission from the publisher. It is unlawful to download, store, or distribute content from this site.
Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
