Corn cockle
Corn cockle

People use this for...

Orally, corn cockle is used as a diuretic, expectorant, menstrual stimulant, poison, vermifuge, and for jaundice.
Topically, corn cockle seeds are used for treating cancers, hard tumors, warts, hard swelling of the uterus, and to induce inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea. The root is used for exanthemata (acute skin eruptions signifying a viral or coccal infection), and hemorrhoids.

Likely Unsafe ...when used orally, due to toxicity (6). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of the topical use of corn cockle.

Likely Unsafe ...when used orally (6); avoid using.

There is insufficient reliable information available about the effectiveness of corn cockle.

Natural Medicines 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.

Dosing & administration

    Adverse effects

    General: Orally, corn cockle can cause GI irritation, severe muscle pain and twitching, depression, and coma (6). Acute poisoning symptoms include: diarrhea, salivation, vertigo, vomiting, paralysis, and respiratory depression (6). Repeated poisoning by small doses is referred to as "githagism" (6).

    Interactions with pharmaceuticals

    None known.

    Interactions with herbs & supplements

    None known.

    Interactions with foods

    None known.

    Interactions with lab tests

    None known.

    Interactions with diseases

    None known.

    Mechanism of action

    The applicable parts of corn cockle are the root and seed. Poisonous constituents, githagin and agrostemmic acid, are reportedly absorbed from the GI tract causing GI irritation, severe muscle pain and twitching, depression, and coma (6).

    References

    6The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
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    This monograph was last reviewed on 24/10/2021 21:11:35 and last updated on 26/12/2012 18:10:57. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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