Corn Cockle

Last Editorial Review: 6/11/2021
Other Name(s):

Agrostemma githago, Cockle, Corn Campion, Corn Rose, Crown-of-the-Field, Neguilla, Nielle, Nielle des Blés, Œillet des Champs, Purple Cockle.

Overview

Corn cockle is an herb. The root and seed are used to make medicine.

Despite serious safety concerns, people take corn cockle for fluid retention, cough, menstrual disorders, worms, and yellowed skin (jaundice).

Corn cockle seeds are sometimes applied directly to the skin for treating cancers, tumors, warts, and swelling of the uterus; and for causing swelling of the eye's cornea and conjunctiva.

The root is applied to the skin for treating sudden skin break-outs caused by a viral or bacterial infection (exanthemata) and hemorrhoids.

How does work?

There isn't enough information available to know how corn cockle might work.

QUESTION

Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See Answer

Uses

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

TAKEN BY MOUTH

  • Fluid retention.
  • Cough.
  • Menstrual disorders.
  • Worms.
  • Jaundice.
  • Other conditions.
APPLIED TO THE SKIN More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of corn cockle for these uses.

Side Effects

Corn cockle is UNSAFE to take by mouth. Several chemicals found in it are considered poisonous. Poisoning symptoms include diarrhea, drooling, dizziness, vomiting, paralysis, breathing difficulty, and coma.

There isn't enough information to know whether it is safe to apply corn cockle to the skin.

Precautions

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's UNSAFE for anyone to use corn cockle. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, you have your baby's health as an extra reason not to use it.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of corn cockle 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 corn cockle. 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.

SLIDESHOW

Vitamin D Deficiency: How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? See Slideshow

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

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Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

References

The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.