Overview

Bitter milkwort is a plant. The flowering plant and root are used to make medicine.

People take bitter milkwort for airway disorders, cough, and bronchitis, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse bitter milkwort (Polygala amara) with asarabacca (Asarum europaeum) or senega (Polygala senega). All three plants are sometimes called snakeroot.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Some experts warn that bitter milkwort may interfere with the body's response against COVID-19. There is no strong data to support this warning. But there is also no good data to support using bitter milkwort for COVID-19.

How does it work ?

Bitter milkwort has chemicals that help to break up chest congestion by thinning mucous and making it easier to cough up (use as an expectorant).

Bitter milkwort has chemicals that help to break up chest congestion by thinning mucous and making it easier to cough up (use as an expectorant).

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Bronchitis.
  • Cough.
  • Upper and lower airway disorders.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of bitter milkwort for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bitter milkwort is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bitter milkwort is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bitter milkwort is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions ?

We currently have no information for BITTER MILKWORT overview.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of bitter milkwort 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 bitter milkwort. 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.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.