Golden ragwort
Scientific names: Senecio aureus
Family: Asteraceae/Compositae
Alternate names: Cocash Weed, Coughweed, False Valerian, Fausse Valériane, Female Regulator, Golden Groundsel, Golden Senecio, Grundy Swallow, Life Root, Ragwort, Senecio Dorado, Séneçon Doré, Séneçon Doria, Squaw Weed
Background
Golden ragwort (Senecio aureus) is a plant that is sometimes used to make medicine.
Golden ragwort 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 traditionally use golden ragwort for irregular or painful menstrual periods and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using golden ragwort can also be unsafe.
Don't confuse golden ragwort with similarly named alpine ragwort or tansy ragwort. These are not the same.
Golden ragwort 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 traditionally use golden ragwort for irregular or painful menstrual periods and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using golden ragwort can also be unsafe.
Don't confuse golden ragwort with similarly named alpine ragwort or tansy ragwort. These are not the same.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Golden ragwort products that contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are likely unsafe. PAs can damage the liver and lungs and possibly cause cancer. Do not use golden ragwort products unless they are certified as free of PAs.
When applied to the skin: Golden ragwort products that contain PAs are likely unsafe when applied to broken skin. There isn't enough reliable information to know if PA-free golden ragwort is safe or what the side effects might be when used on unbroken skin.
Breast-feeding: Golden ragwort preparations that contain PAs are likely unsafe when taken by mouth while breast-feeding. The toxic chemicals in golden ragwort can pass into breastmilk and might harm the nursing infant. There isn't enough reliable information to know if golden ragwort 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: Golden ragwort 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 golden ragwort might make liver disease worse. Stay on the safe side and avoid using any golden ragwort preparation if you have liver disease.
When applied to the skin: Golden ragwort products that contain PAs are likely unsafe when applied to broken skin. There isn't enough reliable information to know if PA-free golden ragwort is safe or what the side effects might be when used on unbroken skin.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: Golden ragwort 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 golden ragwort products certified as free of PAs are safe to use during pregnancy. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Breast-feeding: Golden ragwort preparations that contain PAs are likely unsafe when taken by mouth while breast-feeding. The toxic chemicals in golden ragwort can pass into breastmilk and might harm the nursing infant. There isn't enough reliable information to know if golden ragwort 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: Golden ragwort 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 golden ragwort might make liver disease worse. Stay on the safe side and avoid using any golden ragwort preparation if you have liver disease.
Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using golden ragwort 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 golden ragwort might be. Golden ragwort 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.
Golden ragwort is changed and broken down by the liver. Some drugs increase how quickly the liver changes and breaks down golden ragwort. This could change the effects and side effects of golden ragwort.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs that increase the breakdown of other herbs by the liver: Golden ragwort contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), dangerous chemicals that can harm the liver. Some supplements might increase how quickly these chemicals are broken down. Taking golden ragwort along with supplements that have this effect might increase the risk of serious side effects from golden ragwort. Examples of supplements with this effect include echinacea, garlic, licorice, schisandra, and St. John's wort.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs)-containing herbs and supplements: Golden ragwort 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: Golden ragwort 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 29/06/2023 10:00:00. 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.
