![<img src='https://images.vital.ly/monographs/tr:w-800,c-at_max,dpr-2,q-100/Eupatorium_purpureum_vital_ly.png' /> Gravel root](https://images.vital.ly/monographs/tr:w-800,c-at_max,dpr-2,q-100/Eupatorium_purpureum_vital_ly.png)
Background
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 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
- Arthritis-like pain.
- Fever.
- Gout.
- Urinary and kidney stones.
- Urinary tract infections.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
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
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
Action
Products
View all products- Eupatorium purpureum (Gravel root)
- Juniperus communis (berry)
- Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
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- Taraxacum officinale (leaf)
- Equisetum arvense
- Petroselinum crispum (root)
- Petroselinum crispum (leaf)
- Solidago virgaurea (flower)
- Hydrangea arborescens (root)
- Mentha x piperita (leaf)
- Althaea officinalis (root)
- Arctium lappa (root)
- Echinacea purpurea (root)
- Orange peel
- Echinacea angustifolia (root)
- Coriandrum sativum
- Eupatorium purpureum
- Porcine renal cortex
- Porcine renal medulla
- Porcine kidney
- Porcine ureter
- Porcine urethra
- Porcine urinary bladder
- Equisetum hyemale
- Serum anguillae
- Porcine renal calculus (Kidney stone)
- Berberis vulgaris (Barberry)