Golden Ragwort

• Overview
• Uses
• Side Effects
• Precautions
• Interactions
• Dosing

Golden ragwort is a plant. It is used to make medicine.

Be careful not to confuse golden ragwort (Senecio aureus) with other species of ragwort, such as alpine ragwort and tansy ragwort.

Despite serious safety concerns, people take golden ragwort to treat diabetes, high blood pressure, water retention, bleeding, chest congestion, and spasms.

Women use golden ragwort for treating irregular or painful menstrual periods and symptoms of menopause. They also use it to reduce pain and ease childbirth.

Some people put golden ragwort on the gums to stop bleeding after removal of a tooth.

How does it work?

There isn't enough information to know how golden ragwort might work.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Diabetes.
• High blood pressure.
• Spasms.
• Fluid retention.
• Bleeding.
• Chest congestion.
• Irregular or painful menstrual periods.
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of golden ragwort for these uses.

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).

There's a lot of concern about using golden ragwort as medicine, because it contains chemicals called hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which may block blood flow in the veins and cause liver damage. Hepatotoxic PAs might also cause cancer and birth defects. Golden ragwort preparations that are not certified and labeled “hepatotoxic PA-free” are considered UNSAFE.

It's also UNSAFE to apply golden ragwort to broken skin. The dangerous chemicals in golden ragwort can be absorbed quickly through broken skin and can lead to dangerous body-wide toxicity. Steer clear of skin products that aren't certified and labeled “hepatotoxic PA-free.” There isn't enough information to know if it's safe to apply golden ragwort to unbroken skin. It's best to avoid use.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's UNSAFE to use golden ragwort preparations that might contain hepatotoxic PAs during pregnancy. These products might cause birth defects and liver damage.

It's also UNSAFE to use golden ragwort preparations that might contain hepatotoxic PAs if you are breast-feeding. These chemicals can pass into breast-milk and might harm the nursing infant.

It's not known whether products that are certified hepatotoxic PA-free are safe to use during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Stay in the safe side and avoid using any golden ragwort preparation if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Golden ragwort may cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking golden ragwort.

Liver disease: There is concern that the hepatotoxic PAs in golden ragwort might make liver disease worse.

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Medications that increase break down of other medications by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 [CYP3A4] inducers)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

Golden ragwort is broken down by the liver. Some chemicals that form when the liver breaks down golden ragwort can be harmful. Medications that cause the liver to break down golden ragwort might enhance the toxic effects of chemicals contained in golden ragwort.

Some of these medicines include carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), rifampin, rifabutin (Mycobutin), and others.

The appropriate dose of golden ragwort 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 golden ragwort. 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.