Other Name(s):
Chasse-Bosse, Herbe-aux-Corneilles, Lisimaquia, Lysimachia vulgaris, Lysimaque, Lysimaque Commune, Lysimaque Vulgaire, Yellow Willowherb.
- Overview
- Uses
- Side Effects
- Precautions
- Dosing
Loosestrife is a plant. It is used to make medicine.
People take loosestrife to treat vitamin C-deficiency (scurvy); diarrhea; and excessive bleeding (hemorrhage), including nosebleeds and heavy menstrual flow.
Loosestrife is sometimes applied directly to the skin for wounds.
Don't confuse loosestrife (Lysimachia vulgaris) with purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). Both are known as loosestrife.
How does work?
There isn't enough information to know how loosestrife might work as a medicine.
Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...
- Diarrhea.
- Vitamin C-deficiency (scurvy).
- Wounds.
- Excessive bleeding (hemorrhage) including nose bleeds and heavy menstrual flow.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of loosestrife for these uses.
There isn't enough information to know if loosestrife is safe or what the possible side effects might be.
SLIDESHOW
Vitamin D Deficiency: How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? See SlideshowPregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of loosestrife during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
The appropriate dose of loosestrife 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 loosestrife. 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.
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).
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
Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
