Bitter Milkwort
OTHER NAME(S): European Bitter Polygala, European Senega Snakeroot, Evergreen Snakeroot, Flowering Wintergreen, Little Pollom, Polygala Amère, Snakeroot, Polygala amara, Polígala Amara, Polygale Amer
Overview
Bitter milkwort is a plant. The flowering plant and root are used to make medicine.
People take bitter milkwort for airway disorders, cough, and bronchitis, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Bitter milkwort has chemicals that help to break up chest congestion by thinning mucous and making it easier to cough up (use as an expectorant).
Don't confuse bitter milkwort (Polygala amara) with asarabacca (Asarum europaeum) or senega (Polygala senega). All three plants are sometimes called snakeroot.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Some experts warn that bitter milkwort may interfere with the body's response against COVID-19. There is no strong data to support this warning. But there is also no good data to support using bitter milkwort for COVID-19.
Bitter milkwort has chemicals that help to break up chest congestion by thinning mucous and making it easier to cough up (use as an expectorant).
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Bronchitis.
- Cough.
- Upper and lower airway disorders.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of bitter milkwort for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bitter milkwort is safe or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bitter milkwort is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bitter milkwort is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Bitter Milkwort overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of bitter milkwort 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 bitter milkwort. 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.
- Lust J. The herb book. New York, NY: Bantam Books, 1999.