Dusty miller
Scientific names: Cineraria maritima, Senecio cineraria
Family: Asteraceae/Compositae
Alternate names: Cinéraire Maritime, Jacobaea Maritima, Senecio Bicolor, Séneçon Cendré, Séneçon Cinéraire, Séneçon Maritime, Silver Ragwort
Background
Dusty miller (Cineraria maritima) is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine.
Dusty miller contains chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). Some of these chemicals are toxic and can cause serious liver damage. PAs are in different parts of the plant but are most concentrated in the roots.
People use dusty miller for cataracts and eye problems, respiratory illnesses, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using dusty miller can also be unsafe.
Dusty miller contains chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). Some of these chemicals are toxic and can cause serious liver damage. PAs are in different parts of the plant but are most concentrated in the roots.
People use dusty miller for cataracts and eye problems, respiratory illnesses, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using dusty miller can also be unsafe.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Dusty miller products that contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are likely unsafe. PAs can damage the liver and lungs and possibly cause cancer. Do not use dusty miller products unless they are certified as free of PAs.
When applied to the skin: Dusty miller products that contain PAs are likely unsafe when applied to broken skin. There isn't enough reliable information to know if PA-free dusty miller is safe or what the side effects might be when used on unbroken skin.
Breast-feeding: Dusty miller preparations that contain PAs are likely unsafe when taken by mouth while breast-feeding. The toxic chemicals in dusty miller can pass into breastmilk and might harm the nursing infant. There isn't enough reliable information to know if dusty miller products certified as free of PAs are safe to use while breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Dusty miller may cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others.
Liver disease: The PAs in dusty miller might make liver disease worse. Stay on the safe side and avoid using any dusty preparation if you have liver disease.
When applied to the skin: Dusty miller products that contain PAs are likely unsafe when applied to broken skin. There isn't enough reliable information to know if PA-free dusty miller is safe or what the side effects might be when used on unbroken skin.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: Dusty miller preparations that contain PAs are likely unsafe when taken by mouth during pregnancy. These products might cause birth defects and liver damage. There isn't enough reliable information to know if dusty miller products certified as free of PAs are safe to use during pregnancy. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Breast-feeding: Dusty miller preparations that contain PAs are likely unsafe when taken by mouth while breast-feeding. The toxic chemicals in dusty miller can pass into breastmilk and might harm the nursing infant. There isn't enough reliable information to know if dusty miller products certified as free of PAs are safe to use while breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Dusty miller may cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others.
Liver disease: The PAs in dusty miller might make liver disease worse. Stay on the safe side and avoid using any dusty preparation if you have liver disease.
Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using dusty miller for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of dusty miller might be. Dusty miller might also be unsafe. Speak with a healthcare provider before use.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications that increase break down of other medications by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inducers)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Dusty miller is changed and broken down by the liver. Some drugs increase how quickly the liver changes and breaks down dusty miller. This could change the effects and side effects of dusty miller.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs that increase the breakdown of other herbs by the liver: Dusty miller contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), dangerous chemicals that can harm the liver. Some supplements might increase how quickly these chemicals are broken down. Taking dusty miller along with supplements that have this effect might increase the risk of serious side effects from dusty miller. Examples of supplements with this effect include echinacea, garlic, licorice, schisandra, and St. John's wort.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs)-containing herbs and supplements: Dusty miller contains PAs, dangerous chemicals that can harm the liver. Taking it along with other supplements that also contain these chemicals might increase the chance of developing serious side effects, including liver damage and cancer. Examples of supplements containing PAs include alkanna, butterbur, coltsfoot, comfrey, and groundsel.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs)-containing herbs and supplements: Dusty miller contains PAs, dangerous chemicals that can harm the liver. Taking it along with other supplements that also contain these chemicals might increase the chance of developing serious side effects, including liver damage and cancer. Examples of supplements containing PAs include alkanna, butterbur, coltsfoot, comfrey, and groundsel.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 12/09/2024 10:00:00 and last updated on 21/12/2012 19:55:43. 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.
