Lousewort
Lousewort

Background

Lousewort is a group of plants. The whole plants are sometimes used to make medicine.

People use lousewort for heart failure, lice, and an itchy skin infection caused by mites (scabies), but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if lousewort is safe or what the side effects might be.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if lousewort is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if lousewort is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Iron-deficiency anemia: Lousewort contains chemicals that bind to iron. In theory, this might reduce the amount of iron that the body absorbs from food and supplements.

Effectiveness

NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Likely effective Effectiveness definitions
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
Likely ineffective Effectiveness definitions
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
  • Cough.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Headache.
  • Heart failure.
  • Indigestion (dyspepsia).
  • Itchy skin infection caused by mites (scabies).
  • Lice.
  • Muscle soreness.
  • Sore throat.
  • Stomach ulcers.
  • Swelling (inflammation) of the main airways in the lung (bronchitis).
  • Swelling (inflammation) of the tonsils (tonsillitis).
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of lousewort for these uses.

Dosing & administration

The appropriate dose of lousewort 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 lousewort. 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

It is not known if this product interacts with any medicines.

Before taking this product, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Iron: Lousewort contains chemicals that bind with iron. In theory, this might reduce the amount of iron that the body absorbs from food and supplements.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.

Action

There isn't enough reliable information available to know how lousewort might work.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 19/02/2024 11:00:00 and last updated on 30/12/2020 22:39:54. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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