Lungwort

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

Coucou Bleu, Dage of Jerusalem, Grande Pulmonaire, Herbe Cardiaque, Herbe au Cœur, Herbe au Lait de Notre-Dame, Herbe aux Poumons, Lungenkraut, Pulmonaire, Pulmonaire Officinale, Pulmonaria, Pulmonaria officinalis, Pulmonariae Herba, Sauge de Bethléem, Sauge de Jérusalem.

Overview

Lungwort is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. Be careful not to confuse lungwort with lungmoss.

People take lungwort to treat breathing conditions, stomach and intestinal ailments, and kidney and urinary tract problems. Lungwort is also used in cough medicines, to relieve fluid retention, and to treat lung diseases such as tuberculosis.

Some people apply lungwort directly to the skin as a drying agent (astringent) and to treat wounds.

How does it work?

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

SLIDESHOW

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Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

  • Breathing conditions.
  • Stomach and intestinal conditions.
  • Kidney and urinary tract conditions.
  • Fluid retention.
  • Tuberculosis.
  • Wounds, when applied to the skin.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of lungwort 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).

Side Effects

It is not known if lungwort is safe or what the potential side effects might be.

QUESTION

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

Special Precautions & Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of lungwort during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of lungwort 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 lungwort. 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.

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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

Roeder E. Medicinal plants in Europe containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Pharmazie 1995;50:83-98.