Senecio herb
Senecionis herba
Fuchskreuzkraut
Published July 27, 1990
Name of Drug
Senecionis herba, senecio herb.
Composition of Drug
Senecio herb consists of the above-ground parts of Senecio nemorensis ssp. fuchsii C. Gmelin [Fam. Asteraceae], as well as preparations thereof.
Uses
Senecio herb is used for diabetes mellitus, hemorrhage, high blood pressure, for spasms, and as a uterine stimulant.
The effectiveness for diffuse mucosal hemorrhages is not sufficiently verified.
The effectiveness for the other claimed uses is not documented.
Risks
Senecio herb contains varying amounts of toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) which are known to have organotoxic, in particular hepatotoxic, effects. Carcinogenic activity, operating through a genotoxic mechanism, has been demonstrated in animal experiments.
In addition to being an ineffective remedy for diabetes mellitus, use of the herb represents a considerable health risk.
Evaluation
The therapeutic administration of senecio herb is not justifiable because of its insufficient or undocumented effectiveness and the presence of toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
Action
Shortening of hemorrhage.
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