Bistort
OTHER NAME(S): Adderwort, Couleuvrée, Couleuvrine, Dragonwort, Easter Giant, Easter-Ledges, Easter Mangiant, Langue de Bœuf, Langue-de-Veau, Meadow Bistort, Oderwort, Osterick, Patience Dock, Polygone, Red Legs, Serpentaire, Serpentaire Bistorte, Serpentaire Rouge, Snakeweed, Sweet Dock, Polygonum bistorta, Bistorta, Renouée Bistorte
Overview
Bistort is a perennial plant. The root, underground stem (rhizome), and leaves are used to make medicine.
Bistort is used for diarrhea, wound healing, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Bistort contains chemicals called tannins that can help improve diarrhea.
Bistort contains chemicals called tannins that can help improve diarrhea.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Canker sores.
- Diarrhea.
- Hemorrhoids.
- Upper airway infection.
- Wound healing.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of bistort for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bistort is safe or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bistort is safe or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bistort is safe or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bistort is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bistort is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Bistort overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of bistort 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 bistort. 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
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
- Intisar A, Zhang L, Luo H, Kiazolu JB, Zhang R, Zhang W. Anticancer constituents and cytotoxic activity of methanol-water extract of Polygonum bistorta L. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2012;10(1):53-9.
- Adamczyk B, Simon J, Kitunen V, Adamczyk S, Smolander A. Tannins and their complex interaction with different organic nitrogen compounds and enzymes: old paradigms versus recent advances. ChemistryOpen. 2017;6(5):610-614.
- McRae JM, Kennedy JA. Wine and grape tannin interactions with salivary proteins and their impact on astringency: a review of current research. Molecules. 2011;16(3):2348-64.
- Pawlowska KA, Halasa R, Dudek MK, Majdan M, Jankowska K, Granica S. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity of bistort (Bistorta officinalis) aqueous extract and its major components. Justification of the usage of the medicinal plant material as a traditional topical agent. J Ethnopharmacol. 2020 Oct 5;260:113077. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113077. Epub 2020 Jun 9.