Bitter milkwort
Scientific names: Polygala amara
Family: Polygalaceae
Alternate names: European Bitter Polygala, European Senega Snakeroot, Evergreen Snakeroot, Flowering Wintergreen, Little Pollom, Polygale Amer, Polygala Amère, Snakeroot
Background
Bitter milkwort is a plant. The flowering plant and root are used to make medicine.
People take bitter milkwort for airway disorders, cough, and bronchitis, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse bitter milkwort (Polygala amara) with asarabacca (Asarum europaeum) or senega (Polygala senega). All three plants are sometimes called snakeroot.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Some experts warn that bitter milkwort may interfere with the body's response against COVID-19. There is no strong data to support this warning. But there is also no good data to support using bitter milkwort for COVID-19.
People take bitter milkwort for airway disorders, cough, and bronchitis, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse bitter milkwort (Polygala amara) with asarabacca (Asarum europaeum) or senega (Polygala senega). All three plants are sometimes called snakeroot.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Some experts warn that bitter milkwort may interfere with the body's response against COVID-19. There is no strong data to support this warning. But there is also no good data to support using bitter milkwort for COVID-19.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bitter milkwort is safe or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bitter milkwort is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.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
- Bronchitis.
- Cough.
- Upper and lower airway disorders.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of bitter milkwort 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 bitter milkwort. 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 Bitter Milkwort interacts with any medicines. Before taking Bitter Milkwort, 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
Bitter milkwort has chemicals that help to break up chest congestion by thinning mucous and making it easier to cough up (use as an expectorant).
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This monograph was last reviewed on 30/03/2023 11:00:00. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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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.
