Labdanum

• Overview
• Uses
• Side Effects
• Precautions
• Dosing

Labdanum is a plant. The leaves, stems, and flowers are used to make medicine.

Labdanum is used for bronchitis, diarrhea, water retention (edema), hernia, tumors, leprosy, and hardening of the spleen. It is also used for loosening chest congestion, emptying the bowels, and as a stimulant.

Some people apply labdanum to the skin as a drying agent and to stop bleeding from minor cuts.

In foods and beverages, various preparations of labdanum (labdanum absolute, labdanum oleoresin, and labdanum oil) are used as flavoring agents.

In cosmetics, labdanum absolute and oil are used as fragrance.

In addition, people use labdanum to kill pests and insects.

How does it work?

Labdanum contains substances that might kill bacteria and fungus.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Bronchitis.
• Diarrhea.
• Water retention (edema).
• Hernia.
• Leprosy.
• Hardening of the spleen.
• Chest congestion.
• Use as a stimulant.
• Emptying and cleansing the bowel.
• Stopping or preventing bleeding, when applied to the skin.
• Other conditions.

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).

Labdanum may be safe when taken by mouth in food amounts or when used on the skin. It is not known if taking labdanum by mouth in medicinal amounts is safe or what the possible side effects might be.

The appropriate dose of labdanum 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 labdanum. 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.