Background

Dusty miller is an herb. The parts of the plant that grow above the ground are used to make medicine.

Despite serious safety concerns, people take dusty miller to treat “spots before the eyes” and migraine headache. Women use it to start their menstrual periods.

Dusty miller is sometimes used as an eyewash for cataracts and blurred vision.

Safety Safety definitions

Dusty miller can be UNSAFE for people to use. There’s a lot of concern about using dusty miller as medicine, because it can contain chemicals called hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which may block blood flow in the veins and cause liver damage. Hepatotoxic PAs might also cause cancer and birth defects. Dusty miller preparations that are not certified and labeled “hepatotoxic PA-free” are considered UNSAFE.

It’s also UNSAFE to apply dusty miller to broken skin. The dangerous chemicals in dusty miller can be absorbed quickly through broken skin and can lead to dangerous body-wide toxicity. Steer clear of skin products that aren’t certified and labeled “hepatotoxic PA-free.” There isn’t enough information to know if it’s safe to apply dusty miller to unbroken skin. It’s best to avoid use.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It’s UNSAFE to use dusty miller preparations that might contain hepatotoxic PAs during pregnancy. These products might cause birth defects and liver damage.

It’s also UNSAFE to use dusty miller preparations that might contain hepatotoxic PAs if you are breast-feeding. These chemicals can pass into breast-milk and might harm the nursing infant.

It’s not known whether products that are certified hepatotoxic PA-free are safe to use during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid using any dusty miller preparation if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Dusty miller may cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking dusty miller.

Liver disease: There is concern that the hepatotoxic PAs in dusty miller might make liver disease worse.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

The appropriate dose of dusty miller 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 dusty miller. 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.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Medications that increase break down of other medications by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 [CYP3A4] inducers)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Dusty miller is broken down by the liver. Some chemicals that form when the liver breaks down dusty miller can be harmful. Medications that cause the liver to break down dusty miller might enhance the toxic effects of chemicals contained in dusty miller.

Some of these medicines include carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), rifampin, rifabutin (Mycobutin), and others.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Herbs that increase breakdown of dusty miller by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 [CYP3A4] inducers): Dusty miller is broken down by the liver. Some chemicals that form when the liver breaks down dusty miller can be harmful. Other herbs that cause the liver to break down dusty miller might increase the toxic effects of the chemicals contained in dusty miller. Some of the herbs are echinacea, garlic, licorice, St. John's wort, and schisandra.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs)-containing herbs and supplements: Dusty miller contains PAs, dangerous chemicals that can harm the liver. Using it along with other herbs that also contain this dangerous chemical might increase the chance of developing serious side effects, including liver damage and cancer. Other herbs that contain hepatotoxic PAs include alkanna, boneset, borage, butterbur, coltsfoot, comfrey, forget-me-not, gravel root, hemp agrimony, hound's tongue, groundsel, golden ragwort, and tansy ragwort.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.

Action

There isn't enough information available to know how dusty miller works.