Key Constituents

Tannins (15-36% of the rhizome: oligomeric proanthocyanidins, gallotannins, catechins)^{[13, 14]}

Very high tannin content is the basis of the strong astringency.

ProanthocyanidinsTanninsCatechins

Phenolic acids and flavonoids^[14]

Contribute to antioxidant and antibacterial activity.

Phenolic acidsFlavonoids

Starch and oxalic acid^[13]

Other rhizome constituents.

Starch

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^{[4, 13, 14]}

Anti-inflammatory gargle / mouthwash for inflammation of the mouth and throat (sore throat)

Antidiarrhoeal^{[4, 13, 14]}

Astringent for mild diarrhoea (tannins tighten the gut lining and reduce excess secretion)

Antimicrobial^{[2, 12, 14]}

Antibacterial (topical) - GC-MS-characterised extracts showed antibacterial activity

Astringent^{[7, 13, 14]}

Astringent for mild diarrhoea (tannins tighten the gut lining and reduce excess secretion)

Styptic / haemostatic^{[13, 14]}

Vulnerary and styptic for minor wounds (topical)

Vulnerary (wound healing)^{[13, 14]}

Vulnerary and styptic for minor wounds (topical)

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain^{[13, 14]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Bruising^{[13, 14]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from vulnerary action

more plants for bruising →detailed sources →

Diarrhoea^{[13, 14]}Traditional · 1/10

Astringent for mild diarrhoea (tannins tighten the gut lining and reduce excess secretion)

more plants for diarrhoea →detailed sources →

Heavy menstrual bleeding^{[13, 14]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from styptic action

more plants for heavy menstrual bleeding →detailed sources →

Infection (general)^{[12, 14]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)^{[13, 14]}Traditional · 1/10

Anti-inflammatory gargle / mouthwash for inflammation of the mouth and throat (sore throat)

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^{[13, 14]}Traditional · 1/10

inferred from astringent action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Sore throat^{[13, 14]}Traditional · 1/10

Anti-inflammatory gargle / mouthwash for inflammation of the mouth and throat (sore throat)

more plants for sore throat →detailed sources →

Wounds^{[13, 14]}Traditional · 1/10

Vulnerary and styptic for minor wounds (topical)

more plants for wounds →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^[13]Info

Very tannin-rich: high or prolonged intake may cause stomach upset or constipation and can reduce the absorption of iron and some medicines taken at the same time.

Safety note^[13]Info

Traditional use only; diarrhoea persisting beyond a few days, or mouth/throat inflammation that does not settle, needs medical assessment.

Safety note^[13]Caution

Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established; avoid medicinal doses.

References

REF-0746, REF-0747, REF-0748, REF-2116, REF-2117, REF-2118, REF-2119, REF-2120, REF-2121, REF-2122, REF-2123, REF-0627

References & Sources

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113077
Jovanović, M., Morić, I., Nikolić, B., Pavić, A. et al (2020) 'Anti-Virulence Potential and In Vivo Toxicity of Persicaria maculosa and Bistorta officinalis Extracts', Molecules, 25(8), pp. 1811. doi:10.3390/molecules25081811 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25081811
Duwiejua, M., Zeitlin, I.J., Waterman, P.G. and Gray, A.I (1994) 'Anti-inflammatory activity of Polygonum bistorta, Guaiacum officinale and Hamamelis virginiana in rats', Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 46(4), pp. 286-290. doi:10.1111/j.2042-7158.1994.tb03795.x Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-7158.1994.tb03795.x
Esmaealzadeh, N., Abdolghaffari, A., Baeeri, M., Hasanpour, M., Iranshahi, M., Santarcangelo, C., Gholami, M. and Bahramsoltani, R (2024) 'Protective effect of freeze-dried extract of Persicaria bistorta Samp. on acetic acid-induced colitis model in rats: involvement of nitric oxide and opioid system', Inflammopharmacology, 32(6), pp. 3845-3861. doi:10.1007/s10787-024-01518-8 Preclinical
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Klimczak, U., Wozniak, M., Tomczyk, M. and Granica, S (2017) 'Chemical composition of edible aerial parts of meadow bistort (Persicaria bistorta (L.) Samp.)', Food Chemistry, 230, pp. 281-290. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.02.128 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.02.128
Manoharan, K.P., Benny, T.K.H. and Yang, D (2005) 'Cycloartane type triterpenoids from the rhizomes of Polygonum bistorta', Phytochemistry, 66(19), pp. 2304-2308. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2005.07.008 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2005.07.008
Liu, X., Hua, H., Liu, J., Chen, F. and Wu, L (2006) 'A new tannin-related compound from the rhizome of Polygonum bistorta L', Journal of Asian Natural Products Research, 8(4), pp. 299-302. doi:10.1080/10286020500034956 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020500034956
Yang, W., Qian, Z., Wu, M., Gao, J., Huang, Q., Zou, Y. and Tang, D (2023) 'Online microextraction coupled with HPLC-ABTS for rapid analysis of antioxidants from the root of Polygonum bistorta', Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2023, pp. 7496848. doi:10.1155/2023/7496848 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/7496848
Bauer, I., Rimbach, G., Nevermann, S., Neuhauser, C., Schwarzinger, B., Schwarzinger, C., Weghuber, J. and Luersen, K (2023) 'In-vitro antidiabetic activity of a Bistorta officinalis Delarbre root extract can not be confirmed in the in-vivo models hen's egg test and Drosophila melanogaster', Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 74(1). doi:10.26402/jpp.2023.1.04 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.26402/jpp.2023.1.04
Intisar, A., Zhang, L., Luo, H., Kiazolu, J.B., Zhang, R. and Zhang, W (2012) 'Anticancer constituents and cytotoxic activity of methanol-water extract of Polygonum bistorta L', African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 10(1), pp. 53-59. doi:10.4314/ajtcam.v10i1.9 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.4314/ajtcam.v10i1.9
Liu, Y., Weng, Y., Lin, H., Tang, S., Chen, C., Liang, C., Ku, C. and Lin, J (2017) 'Aqueous extract of Polygonum bistorta modulates proteostasis by ROS-induced ER stress in human hepatoma cells', Scientific Reports, 7, pp. 41437. doi:10.1038/srep41437 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1038/srep41437
Khan, S., Arshad, S., Masood, I., Arif, A., Abbas, S., Qureshi, A.W., Parveen, A. and Seemab Ameen, Z (2023) 'GC-MS Analysis of Persicaria bistorta: Uncovering the Molecular Basis of Its Traditional Medicinal Use', Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 196(4), pp. 2270--2288. doi:10.1007/s12010-023-04580-0 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-023-04580-0
WebMD (n.d.) 'Bistort: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews'. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-75/bistort Traditional / reference
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-75/bistort
(2020) 'Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity of bistort (Bistorta officinalis) aqueous extract and its major components - justification of the usage of the medicinal plant material as a traditional topical agent', Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874120321061 Traditional / reference
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874120321061

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