Carniolan ragwort
Madder is a plant whose root and root stem are used to make medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, ragweed is used to treat cramps in the digestive tract, bile ducts and urinary tract, as well as liver and gallbladder complaints. Ragwort is also used to increase urine production, promote relaxation and sleep, dilate the pupils and relieve pain.
How does ragweed work?
Madfeverfew contains several chemicals that are similar to prescription drugs including hyoscyamine. These chemicals relax the muscles of the digestive tract and urinary tract.
How effective is ragwort?
There is not enough scientific data to say how effective ragweed is for water retention, anxiety, sleep problems, pain, liver problems, gallbladder problems and digestive tract cramps. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of ragwort in these applications.
Safety and side effects
Ragwort is not safe and harmless. There is very little difference between a helpful dose and a toxic dose, and ragweed products vary in the concentrations of the chemicals they contain. Early symptoms of poisoning include reddened skin and dry mouth. Other symptoms include high body temperature, vision problems, difficulty urinating and constipation. Ingestion of large amounts of ragwort can result in restlessness, compulsive talking and hallucinations followed by breathing problems and death.
Precautions and warnings
It is not safe for anyone to take ragwort, but certain groups of people are at an even higher risk of adverse side effects:
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: ragwort is not safe or safe to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Heart problems such as heart failure or rapid, irregular heartbeat: ragwort may aggravate heart problems and should therefore not be used by people suffering from such conditions
Down syndrome: People suffering from Down syndrome may be particularly sensitive to the harmful effects of ragweed.
Hiatal hernia or heartburn (esophageal reflux disease): Ragwort could aggravate esophageal reflux disease.
Fever: ragweed may increase body temperature and should therefore not be used by people suffering from fever.
Digestive tract conditions and problems including constipation, stomach ulcers, stomach or intestinal infections, ulcerative colitis, enlarged bowel or blockage of the digestive tract: ragwort may aggravate digestive tract problems and should therefore not be used by people suffering from such problems.
Narrow-angle glaucoma: ragwort may aggravate narrow-angle glaucoma.
Difficulty urinating: Ragwort could aggravate urinary retention.
Interactions
Ragwort should not be used in combination with the following medications
Drying medicines (anticholinergic agents)
Ragwort contains chemicals that can have a drying effect. These also affect the brain and heart. Desiccating drugs, also known as anticholinergic drugs, can have the same effects. The combination of ragwort and such drugs can cause side effects such as dry skin, dizziness, low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat and other serious side effects. Medications affected include some antihistamines and antidepressants.
Medications for depression (tricyclic antidepressants)
Ragwort contains chemicals that can affect the body. Some of these chemicals have similar effects to tricyclic antidepressants. Taking ragwort in combination with tricyclic antidepressants could increase the side effects of these drugs.
Quinidine
Ragwort can affect the heart. Quinidine can also affect the heart. Taking quinidine in combination with ragwort can cause serious heart problems.
Dosage
An appropriate dosage of ragwort depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At this time, there is insufficient scientific data to determine appropriate dosage ranges for ragweed. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.