Knotweed
Scientific names: Polygonum aviculare
Family: Polygonaceae
Alternate names: Allseed Nine-Joints, Anjubar, Armstrong, Aviculaire, Beggarweed, Bian Xu, Bird's Tongue, Birdweed, Centinode, Centinodia, Cow Grass, Crawlgrass, Doorweed, Hogweed, Knot Grass, Knotgrass, Knotweed Herb, Lengua de Pajaro, Mexican Sanguinaria, Ninety-Knot, Pigrush, Pigweed, Polygoni Avicularis Herba, Red Robin, Renouée des Oiseaux, Sanguinaria, Sparrow Tongue, Swine's Grass, Swynel Grass, Vogelknoeterichkraut, Yerba Nudosa
Background
Knotweed is an herb. The whole flowering plant is used to make medicine.
Knotweed is used for swelling (inflammation) of the main airways in the lung (bronchitis), cough, sore throat, a mild form of gum disease (gingivitis), and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Knotweed is used for swelling (inflammation) of the main airways in the lung (bronchitis), cough, sore throat, a mild form of gum disease (gingivitis), and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Knotweed is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth short-term. Three to four cups of tea per day, each prepared with 1.5 grams of knotweed powder, have been used with apparent safety.
When applied to the skin: Knotweed is POSSIBLY SAFE when used in a mouthwash twice daily for up to 2 weeks.
When applied to the skin: Knotweed is POSSIBLY SAFE when used in a mouthwash twice daily for up to 2 weeks.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if knotweed is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Effectiveness
NatMed Pro 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.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- A mild form of gum disease (gingivitis). Early research suggests that a root extract of knotweed might be useful as a mouth rinse to treat gingivitis, decreasing bleeding and swelling of the gums.
- Swelling (inflammation) of the main airways in the lung (bronchitis).
- Cough.
- Skin irritation.
- Sore throat.
- Stopping bleeding.
- Tuberculosis.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of knotweed 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 knotweed. 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
It is not known if Knotweed interacts with any medicines. Before taking Knotweed, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
Knotweed might be able to reduce the swelling and bleeding that occur with gum disease.
Products
View all products
Per capsule:
- Polygonum aviculare (Bian Xu) ext. 30 mg
- Lysimachia christinae ext. 20.1 mg
- Tetrapanax papyriferus ext. 20.1 mg
- Dianthus superbus ext. 30 mg
- Plantago asiatica ext. 30 mg
- Gardenia jasminoides ext. 30 mg
- Phellodendron amurense ext. 30 mg
- Lygodium japonicum ext. 30 mg
- Juncus effusus ext. 9.9 mg
- Glycyrrhiza uralensis ext. 9.9 mg
- Anemarrhena asphodeloides ext. 30 mg
Practitioner product
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This monograph was last reviewed on 17/10/2023 11:00:00 and last updated on 23/01/2013 17:31:44. 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.
