Hogweed

Hogweed (Masterwort) is a plant that is used for the production of medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, hogweed is used to relieve muscle cramps, stomach discomfort, digestive problems, diarrhea and swelling of the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines. There are reports of hogweed being used to stretch Bibernelle products.

How does hogweed work?

There is not enough information available to say how hogweed might work as a medicine.

How effective is hogweed?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of hogweed for muscle cramps, stomach problems, digestive problems, diarrhea and inflammatory swelling of the stomach and intestinal mucosa. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of hogweed in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Hogweed may not be safe and harmless. Hogweed makes the skin more sensitive to sunburn. Therefore, fair-skinned people in particular should use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when using hogweed outdoors. Furthermore, hogweed contains some chemicals that are carcinogenic.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: It is not safe to use hogweed during pregnancy. Hogweed could induce the menstrual period, which could lead to miscarriage. It may also not be safe to use hogweed while breastfeeding.

Exposure to ultraviolet light (UV light) including sun exposure, tanning beds and lamps used to treat certain skin conditions: Hogweed increases the sensitivity of the skin to UV radiation and can therefore increase the risk of sunburn. You should not use hogweed if you are receiving UV therapy. In addition, you should avoid sunlight and tanning beds when using hogweed.

Interactions

Care should be taken when combining hogweed with the following medications:

Medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight

Some medications can increase sensitivity to sunlight. Hogweed can also increase sensitivity to sunlight. Taking hogweed in conjunction with medications that can increase sensitivity to sunlight could increase the risk of sunburn, blistering of the skin or rashes on areas of skin that are exposed to the sun. For this reason, you should use a sunblock and wear protective clothing when spending time in the sun.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of hogweed depends on various factors such as age, health status and others. At this time, there is insufficient scientific data to determine appropriate dosage ranges for hogweed. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.