Herbs and plantsBirthwort — the herb that healed wounds but now inspires fear?
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It was also used for asthma, fever, whooping cough and arthritis, as well as to treat parasites.
- It was not considered safe: improper use or overdose could damage the kidneys and liver and cause severe poisoning.
What the authors write
Henryk Różański
In the past, it was used for pleurisy, swelling, digestive disorders and tumors.
„According to Dr. Gerhard Madaus (1890–1942), clematis-leaved birthwort was described as a medicinal remedy by Hippocrates (460–370 BC), Saint Hildegard (1098–1179) and Paracelsus (1493–1541). It was considered helpful for pleurisy, swelling, digestive disorders and tumors.”Jak podaje dr med. Gerhard Madaus (1890-1942) kokornak powojnikowy był opisany jako środek leczniczy przez Hippokratesa (460-370 p.n.e.), św. Hildegardę (1098-1179) i Paracelsusa (1493-1541), pomocny przy zapaleniu opłucnej, obrzękach, zaburzeniach trawiennych i nowotworach.
Henryk Różański
It was recommended for diseases affecting many organs, fever, asthma, epilepsy, arthritis and wounds that were slow to heal.
„Adamus Lonicerus (1528–1586) recommended birthwort for treating diseases of the liver, spleen, kidneys and lungs; as a remedy to cleanse the uterus; and as a fever-reducing, expectorant, anti-arthritic, anti-asthmatic and anti-epileptic remedy. He also recommended it externally for wounds that were slow to heal or infected.”Adamus Lonicerus (1528-1586) zalecał kokornak w leczeniu chorób wątroby, śledziony, nerek, płuc, jako środek oczyszczający macicę, przeciwgorączkowy, wykrztuśny, przeciwartretyczny, przeciwastmatyczny, przeciwpadaczkowy, a zewnętrznie na trudno gojące się i zakażone rany.
Henryk Różański
In folk medicine, it was used, among other things, for rheumatism and rashes, earaches, wound healing and regulating menstruation.
„In Italian folk medicine, birthwort was used for rheumatism and rashes. In Norway, it was taken internally as a diaphoretic and blood-purifying remedy, and used externally for earaches. In Hungary, it was used to regulate menstruation and after childbirth, as well as to heal wounds.”W medycynie ludowej Włoch kokornak stosowano przy reumatyzmie i wypryskach. W Norwegii wewnętrznie podawano jako środek napotny i oczyszczający krew. Zewnętrznie przy bólach uszu. Na Węgrzech jako środek regulujący miesiączkowanie i po porodzie, ponadto jako gojący rany.
Henryk Różański
The herb was used for wounds that were slow to heal, abscesses, ulcers, fistulas and skin infections.
„The herb of clematis-leaved birthwort—Herba Aristolochiae (a confusing synonym is Herba Clematitis! When reading pharmacopoeias, check whether the reference is actually to clematis, Clematis)—was used medicinally to treat wounds that were slow to heal, abscesses, skin ulcers, fistulas and skin infections.”W medycynie stosowano ziele kokornaku powojnikowego – Herba Aristolochiae (mylący synonim Herba Clematitis !, czytając lekospisy trzeba zwrócić uwagę, czy nie chodzi o powojnik – Clematis) w leczeniu trudno gojących się ran, ropni, owrzodzeń skórnych, przetok oraz infekcji skórnych.
Henryk Różański
In the 18th and 19th centuries, birthwort was used for bilious fever, as well as for wounds, arthritis, asthma and whooping cough, and to stimulate menstruation. In folk medicine, it was also used to induce abortion.
„In the 18th and 19th centuries, birthwort was used to treat bilious fever. In folk medicine, it was used to induce abortion and, externally, to treat wounds with poultices made from a mash, macerate or infusion. It was also used to treat arthritis, asthma and whooping cough, and to stimulate menstruation.”W XVIII i XIX wieku kokornak był używany w leczeniu gorączki żółciowej W medycynie ludowej jako środek poronny, zewnętrznie do leczenia ran (okłady z papki, maceratu i naparu). Stosowany w terapii artretyzmu, astmy, krztuśca, do pobudzania miesiączkowania.
Henryk Różański
Past uses included treating vaginal discharge, scanty periods, indigestion and muscle pain, as well as stiff joints and muscle contractures.
„In traditional medicine, preparations of birthwort were given for vaginal discharge, scanty periods, nervousness, general weakness, muscle pain (myalgia) and indigestion. In Madaus's biological therapy, it was used as a “blood purifier” and painkiller, as well as a muscle relaxant for stiff joints and muscle contractures.”W dawnej medycynie podawano przetwory kokornaku przy upławach, skąpych miesiączkach, nerwowości, ogólnym osłabieniu, mięśniobólach (myalgiach) i niestrawności. W terapii biologicznej Madausa jako środek “czyszczący krew” i przeciwbólowy, ponadto miorelaksujący (przeciwko sztywnościom stawów i przykurczom mięśni).
Henryk Różański
Clematis-leaved birthwort was also formerly used as an oral antiparasitic remedy. Decoctions were used for baths and to wash legs with ulcers.
„In the 19th and early 20th centuries, clematis-leaved birthwort was also considered an oral antiparasitic medicine (Antiparasiticum) (A. Tschirch, 1923).
The rhizome and roots of birthwort were also used medicinally—Rhizoma cum radicibus Aristolochiae clematitis. A water macerate was prepared from them: 1/4 teaspoon per glass of cold water, left to stand for 8 hours, then drunk over the course of the day.”Kokornak powojnikowy w XIX i na początku XX wieku (A. Tschirch, 1923) uznawano również za doustny lek przeciwpasożytniczy (Antiparasiticum).
W medycynie wykorzystywano także kłącze z korzeniami kokornaka – Rhizoma cum radicibus Aristolochiae clematitis, z którego przyrządzano macerat na wodzie: 1/4 łyżeczki na szklankę zimnej wody, odstawić na 8 godzin, wypić w ciągu dnia.
Henryk Różański
Improper use and dosing make birthwort dangerous, and overdosed preparations damage the kidneys.
„Birthwort is now rarely used in herbal medicine. If used or dosed incorrectly, it becomes dangerous. The lactam compounds in birthwort have cytotoxic, mutagenic and genotoxic properties. Aristolochic acids can bind to DNA. Birthwort preparations, when taken in excessive doses, damage the kidneys.”Kokornak obecnie jest mało stosowany w fitoterapii. Niewłaściwie używany i dawkowany staje się niebezpieczny. Związki laktamowe kokornaku mają właściwości cytotoksyczne, mutagenne i genotoksyczne. Kwasy aristolochiowe posiadają zdolność przyłączania się do DNA. Przetwory z kokornaka przedawkowane uszkadzają nerki.
Henryk Różański
Improperly used birthwort can be toxic. Toxic effects have also been reported in animals, including kidney and liver damage and convulsions.
„Improperly used birthwort becomes toxic. He cited publications describing the toxicity of birthwort species in animals (for example, kidney necrosis, fatty liver, bleeding in the intestines and lungs, and convulsions). Madaus listed aristolochic acid (aristolochine), which contains nitrogen in its molecule (and crystallizes when isolated), essential oil, bitter compounds, malic acid, tannins and two resins among the constituents of birthwort root.”Niewłaściwie stosowany kokornak staje się toksyczny. Przywołał publikacje opisujące toksyczność kokornaków u zwierząt (np. martwica nerek, stłuszczenie wątroby, wybroczyny w jelitach i płucach, drgawki). Madaus wymienił wśród składników kokornaku (korzeń) kwas arystolochiowy (arystolochina), zawierający w cząsteczce azot (który ulega krystalizacji po wyodrębnieniu), olejek eteryczny, goryczki, kwas jabłkowy, garbniki oraz 2 żywice.
Henryk Różański
Abusing the plant can damage the kidneys and liver, and poisoning can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and heart problems, among other symptoms.
„Madaus noted that abusing the plant damages the kidneys and causes degenerative changes in the liver. In cases of plant poisoning, he observed intestinal inflammation resembling cholera (hence the term “cholera-like enteritis” after birthwort abuse). It was accompanied by intestinal congestion, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, colic, bloody diarrhea, kidney inflammation, neurological and heart problems, and even paralysis of the heart and lungs.”Madaus zwrócił uwagę, że roślina nadużywana uszkadza nerki i powoduje zmiany zwyrodnieniowe wątroby. Przy zatruciu rośliną stwierdził zapalenie jelit manifestujące się podobnie jak w przebiegu cholery (stąd sformułowanie choleropodobne zapalenie jelit po nadużyciu kokornaku). Towarzyszyły temu: przekrwienie jelit, wymioty, biegunka, ból brzucha, kolka, krwawa biegunka, zapalanie nerek, zaburzenia neurologiczne i czynności serca, a nawet porażenie serca i płuc.
Henryk Różański
Long-term or excessive exposure to birthwort species, as well as food containing their seeds, has been linked to serious, irreversible changes and the possibility of causing mutations.
„In the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was known that birthwort species become dangerous when used improperly (for too long) or taken in excessive doses. Constant exposure to birthwort through food also causes serious, irreversible pathological changes in the bodies of humans and animals.”W XIX w. i na początku XX wieku wiedziano, że kokornaki niewłaściwie stosowane (zbyt długotrwale) i przedawkowane stają się roślinami niebezpiecznymi. Również permanentne narażenie na działanie kokornaku w żywności powoduje poważne, nieodwracalne zmiany patologiczne w organizmie człowieka i zwierząt.
Henryk Różański
Birthwort seeds could end up mixed with grain and become a source of toxic substances in food.
„The seeds got mixed in with cereal grains, becoming a source of toxic substances in food. In our region, cereal crops also faced problems from ergot and the seeds of yellow-rattle (Rhinanthus), corn cockle (Agrostemma) and larkspur (Consolida), which also caused poisoning.
doc.”Nasiona dostawały się do ziaren zbóż, stając się źródłem toksycznych substancji w żywności. U nas w zbożach problemem był sporysz, nasiona szelężnika (Rhinanthus), kąkola (Agrostemma), czy ostróżeczki (Consolida), które również powodowały zatrucia.
doc.
Henryk Różański
The seeds of clematis-leaved birthwort may contain aristolochic acids.
„0.4% essential oil, aristolochic acids (I–IV), tannins, malic acid, starch, resin and bitter compounds.
The seeds of Aristolochia clematitis may contain up to 0.65% aristolochic acids.
In addition to pinene and terpineol, birthwort essential oil contains geranyl derivatives, bicyclogermacranes, aristolenes and cadinanes.”0,4% olejku eterycznego, kwasy kokornakowe (I-IV), garbniki, kwas jabłkowy, skrobię, żywicę i goryczki.
Nasiona Aristolochia clematitis mogą zawierać nawet 0,65% kwasów kokornakowych.
Olejek eteryczny kokornakowy, obok pinenu i terpineolu, zawiera pochodne geranylu, bicyklogermakrany, arystolany i kadinany.
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 2 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 27.
A review reports that clematis-leaved birthwort was used medicinally in Europe, including for gastrointestinal complaints.
Aim of the study: More than 100 cases of nephropathy over the last 10 years caused by the systemic and longer-term use of Chinese snakeroot (Aristolochia fangchi) highlighted the risks of using preparations that contain aristolochic acids. On the other hand, anecdotal evidence points to the widespread use of Aristolochia species (Aristolochiaceae) in many regions of the world.
Results: Based on an assessment of 566 reference sources, 685 individual data sets were recorded. Seven species—Aristolochia indica L. (Asia), Aristolochia serpentaria L. (North America), Aristolochia debilis Sieb & Zucch. (China), Aristolochia acuminata Lam. (India), Aristolochia trilobata L. (Central and South America, the Caribbean), Aristolochia clematitis L. (Europe) and Aristolochia bracteolata Lam. (Africa)—are widely reported as being used medicinally. Their medicinal uses vary, but uses for gastrointestinal problems are of particular interest, as they are likely to result in repeated exposure to these herbal medicines. About half of all records relate to the use of Aristolochia species in Asia, and one-third to the Americas—a continent that has so far received practically no attention in assessments of the risks of using Aristolochia species.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyreview of many studies
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Birthwort species were used in traditional medicine, but the aristolochic acids they contain are linked to serious health risks.
Aim of the study: Aristolochic acids (AAs) are an important group of secondary metabolites in the genus Aristolochia. Their presence indicates the potency of many Aristolochia herbs that have been used for centuries in the traditional medicine of China, Europe, Central America, India and other countries.
Results: Comparing experimental spectroscopic data with data for known and related compounds helps simplify the structural identification of secondary metabolites. Compiling an NMR database of AAs from scattered sources would also be useful for NMR-based metabolomics. This review provides updated information on the sources and NMR spectroscopic data of 54 aristolochic acid derivatives, including AAs and their methyl esters, denitroaristolochic acids and their derivatives, and sesqui- and diterpene esters of AAs. The report also covers the latest developments in analytical and preparative methods used to separate, identify and quantify AAs in Aristolochia herbal samples.
Money for the studygovernment, public institutions · NAFOSTED
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studydiscussion of other studies
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Perspectives and opinion materials
The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„As Aristotle argued, “The basis of a democratic state is liberty.” Dr. Jennifer Lush writes: “Bill 36, passed by the BC government in November, gives the province unilateral power over doctors and your private health-care information. I am all for an overhaul of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, but Bill 36 makes me cringe.” Cringeworthy, indeed. Bill 36 reads like Big Brother’s wish list: involuntary treatment, suppression of dissent and mandatory compliance. How ironic that this was conceived, passed and enacted in a democracy. And how ironic that in just a few short years we’ve gone from a war on drugs to a war for them.”As Aristotle posited, 'The basis of a democratic state is liberty.' Dr. Jennifer Lush writes: "Bill 36, passed by the BC government in November, gives the province unilateral power over doctors and your private health-care information. I am all for an overhaul of the college of Physicians and Surgeons, but Bill 36 makes me cringe." Cringeworthy, indeed. Bill 36 reads like Big Brother's wish list: involuntary treatment, suppression of dissent and mandatory compliance. How ironic this was conceived, passed and enacted in a democracy. And how ironic that in a few short years we've gone from having a war on drugs to a war for them.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„“Potential antigenic cross-reactivity between SARS-CoV-2 and human tissue with a possible link to an increase in autoimmune diseases,” Aristo Vojdaniᵃ,ᵇ,⁎ and Datis Kharrazianᵇ,ᶜ et al., Clin Immunol. 2020 Aug; 217: 108480.”"Potential antigenic cross-reactivity between SARS-CoV-2 and human tissue with a possible link to an increase in autoimmune diseases", Aristo Vojdania,b,⁎ and Datis Kharrazianb,c et al Clin Immunol. 2020 Aug; 217: 108480.
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