Purple Loosestrife
OTHER NAME(S): Arroyuela, Blooming Sally, Flowering Sally, Herbe aux Coliques, Long Purples, Loosestrife, Lysimaque rouge, Lythrum, Milk Willow-Herb, Purple Lythrum, Purple Willow-Herb, Rainbow Weed, Salicaire Commune, Salicaire Officinale, Salicare, Salicària, Soldiers, Spiked Loosestrife, Surmankhal, Turbinkwash, Willow Sage, Yerpoose, Lythrum salicaria, Salicaria, Salicaire
Overview
Purple loosestrife is a plant. The flowering parts are used as medicine.
People use purple loosestrife as a tea for diarrhea, menstrual problems, and bacterial infections. Purple loosestrife is sometimes applied directly to the affected area for varicose veins, bleeding gums, hemorrhoids, and eczema, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Purple loosestrife contains chemicals that might reduce swelling (inflammation), and others that might help fight bacteria in the intestine.
Purple loosestrife contains chemicals that might reduce swelling (inflammation), and others that might help fight bacteria in the intestine.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- A mild form of gum disease (gingivitis).
- Diarrhea.
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis).
- Hemorrhoids.
- Infection.
- Menstrual cramping (dysmenorrhea).
- Swelling (inflammation).
- Varicose veins.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of purple loosestrife for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if purple loosestrife is safe or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if purple loosestrife is safe or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if purple loosestrife is safe or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if purple loosestrife is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if purple loosestrife is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Purple Loosestrife overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of purple loosestrife 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 purple loosestrife. 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.
References
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Chong SJ, Howard KA, Knox C. Hypokalaemia and drinking green tea: a literature review and report of 2 cases. BMJ Case Rep. 2016;2016. pii: bcr2016214425.
- Manayi A, Khanavi M, Saeidnia S, et al. Biological activity and microscopic characterization of Lythrum salicaria L. DARU J Pharm Sci 2013;21(1):61. doi: 10.1186/2008-2231-21-61.
- Piwowarski JP, Kiss AK. Contribution of C-glucosidic ellagitannins to Lythrum salicaria L. influence on pro-inflammatory functions of human neutrophils. J Nat Med 2015;69(1):100-10. doi: 10.1007/s11418-014-0873-5.
- Becker H, Scher JM, Speakman JB, Zapp J. Bioactivity guided isolation of antimicrobial compounds from Lythrum salicaria. Fitoterapia 2005;76(6):580-4.