Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph
Fireweed
Chamerion angustifolium
This monograph compiles 5 pharmacological actions, 8 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 15 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →inferred from digestive action
more plants for bloating →detailed sources →inferred from vulnerary action
more plants for bruising →detailed sources →inferred from digestive action
more plants for indigestion →detailed sources →inferred from antimicrobial action
more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →inferred from antimicrobial action
more plants for wounds →detailed sources →Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Generally considered safe at culinary and traditional tea-preparation doses. No major contraindications established for healthy adults in normal use. The young shoots and leaves are widely eaten as a spring vegetable in many cultures without adverse effects. At higher supplemental doses, limited human safety data are available; caution is advised during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to lack of robust safety studies. Tannin content may cause digestive upset or constrain iron absorption at very high doses. Rarely, contact dermatitis has been reported with topical preparations in sensitive individuals (Kozhevnikov and Kozhevnikova, 2021).
Duke (2002) includes fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) as ++ with primarily experimental (score 1) evidence. It is used in European phytomedicine as an anti-inflammatory and astringent for gastrointestinal complaints. The related species Epilobium parviflorum has clinical support for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), though data for E. angustifolium specifically is limited. Duke does not note major safety concerns at customary herbal doses (Duke, 2002).
References
REF-1658, REF-1659, REF-1660, REF-1661, REF-1662, REF-1663, REF-1664, REF-1665, REF-1666, REF-1667References & Sources
- Karakaya, S., Suntar, I., Yakinci, O.F., Sytar, O., Ceribasi, S. and Dursunoglu, B (2020) 'In vivo bioactivity assessment on Epilobium species: A particular focus on Epilobium angustifolium and its components on enzymes connected with the healing process', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 262, pp. 113207. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.113207 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113207 - Esposito, C., Santarcangelo, C., Masselli, R., Buonomo, G., Nicotra, G. and Insolia, V (2021) 'Epilobium angustifolium L. extract with high content in oenothein B on benign prostatic hyperplasia: A monocentric, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial', Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 138, pp. 111414. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111414 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111414 - Kaskoniene, V., Stankevicius, M., Drevinskas, T., Akuneca, I., Kaskonas, P. and Bimbiraite-Surviliene, K (2015) 'Evaluation of phytochemical composition of fresh and dried raw material of introduced Chamerion angustifolium L. using chromatographic, spectrophotometric and chemometric techniques', Phytochemistry, 115, pp. 184-193. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2015.02.005 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2015.02.005 - Kowalik, K., Polak-Berecka, M., Prendecka-Wrobel, M., Pigon-Zajac, D., Niedzwiedz, I. and Szwajgier, D (2022) 'Biological Activity of an Epilobium angustifolium L. (Fireweed) Infusion after In Vitro Digestion', Molecules, 27(3), pp. 1006. doi:10.3390/molecules27031006 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27031006 - Nowak, A., Zagorska-Dziok, M., Peruzynska, M., Cybulska, K., Kucharska, E. and Ossowicz-Rupniewska, P (2022) 'Assessment of the Anti-Inflammatory, Antibacterial and Anti-Aging Properties and Possible Use on the Skin of Hydrogels Containing Epilobium angustifolium L. Extracts', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, pp. 896706. doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.896706 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.896706 - Nowak, A., Duchnik, W., Makuch, E., Kucharski, L., Ossowicz-Rupniewska, P. and Cybulska, K (2021) 'Epilobium angustifolium L. Essential Oil-Biological Activity and Enhancement of the Skin Penetration of Drugs-In Vitro Study', Molecules, 26(23), pp. 7188. doi:10.3390/molecules26237188 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26237188 - Olennikov, D.N., Kirillina, C.S. and Chirikova, N.K (2021) 'Water-Soluble Melanoidin Pigment as a New Antioxidant Component of Fermented Willowherb Leaves (Epilobium angustifolium)', Antioxidants, 10(8), pp. 1300. doi:10.3390/antiox10081300 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10081300 - Dreger, M., Adamczak, A. and Foksowicz-Flaczyk, J (2023) 'Antibacterial and Antimycotic Activity of Epilobium L. Extracts: A Review', Pharmaceuticals, 16(10), pp. 1419. doi:10.3390/ph16101419 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16101419 - Nowak, A., Zagorska-Dziok, M., Ossowicz-Rupniewska, P., Makuch, E., Duchnik, W. and Kucharski, L (2021) 'Epilobium angustifolium L. Extracts as Valuable Ingredients in Cosmetic and Dermatological Products', Molecules, 26(11), pp. 3456. doi:10.3390/molecules26113456 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26113456 - Nowak, A., Zielonka-Brzezicka, J., Peruzynska, M. and Klimowicz, A (2022) 'Epilobium angustifolium L. as a Potential Herbal Component of Topical Products for Skin Care and Treatment - A Review', Molecules, 27(11), pp. 3536. doi:10.3390/molecules27113536 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27113536 - Battinelli, L., Tita, B., Evandri, M.G. and Mazzanti, G (2014) 'Antimicrobial activity of Epilobium spp', pp. extracts. doi:10.1016/S0014-827X(01)01092-0 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0014-827X(01)01092-0 - http://Latvijasdaba.lv (n.d.) 'ugunspuķe – Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub'. Available at: http://Latvijasdaba.lv Traditional / reference
http://Latvijasdaba.lv - Kozhevnikov, A.Y. and Kozhevnikova, N.A (2021) 'Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review of Chamerion angustifolium (Fireweed)', 10(11). doi:10.3390/plants10112295 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10112295 - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.) 'Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub'. Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:http://ipni.org:names:19659-1 Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:http://ipni.org:names:19659-1 - Zhivoderov, A., Laletina, D. and Ushakova, I (2021) 'Ivan-chai: the history and properties of Russian herbal tea', 7(2), pp. 62. doi:10.3390/fermentation7020062 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation7020062
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