Background

Gravel root is an herb. The bulb, root, and parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine.

Despite safety concerns, people use gravel root for conditions such as bladder infections, kidney stones, arthritis pain, fever, and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: There's a lot of concern about using gravel root as medicine, because it contains chemicals called hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). These chemicals may block blood flow in the veins and cause liver or lung damage. Gravel root preparations that are not certified and labeled "hepatotoxic PA-free" are considered LIKELY UNSAFE. There isn't enough reliable information to know if it's safe to take "hepatotoxic PA-free" gravel root by mouth. It's best to avoid use.

When applied to the skin: It is LIKELY UNSAFE to apply gravel root to broken skin. The dangerous chemicals in gravel root can be absorbed quickly through broken skin and can lead to dangerous body-wide toxicity. Steer clear of skin products that aren't certified and labeled "hepatotoxic PA-free." There isn't enough reliable information to know if it's safe to apply "hepatotoxic PA-free" gravel root to the skin. It's best to avoid use.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to use gravel root preparations that might contain hepatotoxic PAs during pregnancy. These products might cause birth defects and liver damage. It's not known whether products that are certified "hepatotoxic PA-free" are safe to use during pregnancy. Stay on the safe side and avoid using any gravel root preparation.

Breast-feeding: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to use gravel root preparations that might contain hepatotoxic PAs if you are breast-feeding. These chemicals can pass into breast-milk and might harm the nursing infant. It's not known whether products that are certified "hepatotoxic PA-free" are safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid using any gravel root preparation.

Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Gravel root 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. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking gravel root.

Liver disease: There is concern that the hepatotoxic PAs in gravel root might make liver disease worse.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

The appropriate dose of gravel root 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 gravel root. 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

Lithium

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Gravel root might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." Taking gravel root might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.

Medications that increase break down of other medications by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inducers)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Gravel root is broken down by the liver. Some chemicals that form when the liver breaks down gravel root can be harmful. Medications that cause the liver to break down gravel root might enhance the toxic effects of chemicals contained in gravel root.

Some of these medicines include carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), rifampin, rifabutin (Mycobutin), and others.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Herbs that increase the breakdown of other herbs by the liver: Gravel root is broken down by the liver. Some chemicals that form when the liver breaks down gravel root can be harmful. Other herbs that cause the liver to break down gravel root might increase the toxic effects of the chemicals contained in gravel root. Some of the herbs are echinacea, garlic, licorice, St. John's wort, and schisandra.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs)-containing herbs and supplements: Gravel root contains PAs, dangerous chemicals that can harm the liver. Using it along with other herbs that also contain this dangerous chemical might increase the chance of developing serious side effects, including liver damage and cancer. Other herbs that contain hepatotoxic PAs include alkanna, boneset, borage, butterbur, coltsfoot, comfrey, forget-me-not, hemp agrimony, hound's tongue, dusty miller, groundsel, golden ragwort, and tansy ragwort.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.

Action

Gravel root might work for certain conditions by reducing swelling (inflammation).