Figwort
Botanical Description & Habitat
Scrophularia nodosa
Family
Scrophulariaceae
Common Names
Carpenter's square
Figwort root
Kernelwort
Knotty-rooted figwort
Scrofula plant
Habitat
In rich woodlands and thickets in Europe, Asia and North America.
Medicinal Part
The dried aerial plant.
Historical Properties & Uses
Figwort is considered diuretic and exanthematous. It has been an important skin medication, used in the treatment of eczema, scabies, tumors, rashes, dermatitis, and so forth. Some expectorant action is said to be present.
In homeopathy, a tincture is used for eye problems, mastitis and hemorrhoids. The main action is diuretic.
Method of Action
The Pharmacology of Figwort
Figwort contains saponins, flavonoids, an essential oil, a bitter substance and tannin. No significant research has been done on the properties of figwort, so it is impossible to say at this time, whether any of the reported properties are reliable. The fact it is used in America, Asia and Europe for essentially the same applications lends some support to folklore uses.
Figwort May have Immune Enhancing Action
Interestingly, figwort is one of the most often prescribed herbs in Europe for enhancing immune system function.
The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia recognizes Figwort as a dermatological agent, mild diuretic, and a substance capable of increasing myocardial contraction. It is also approved for use in the treatment of chronic skin diseases, such as eczema, psoriasis and pruritus. Combined with yellow dock in chronic skin disease.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Known Interactions
Figwort, insofar as its diuretic action increases the renal excretion of sodium and chloride, may potentiate the hyperglycemic and hyperuremic effects of glucose elevating agents.
Diuretics may potentiate the action of antihypertensive, ganglionic or peripheral adrenergic blocking drugs, tubocurarine and norepinephrine.
The effects of dopamine and diuretic agents are additive. Diuretics may potentiate the action of antihypertensive drugs, ganglionic or peripheral adrenergic blocking drugs, tubocurarine and norepinephrine.
Possible Interactions
In conjunction with ACTH or corticosteroids, this diuretic is more prone to produce hypokalemia.
Use of diuretics may require dosage adjustments of antidiabetic drugs. The diuretic action of figwort may reduce renal clearance of lithium.
An initial dose of captopril (an antihypertensive) may cause a severe drop in blood pressure within three hours if the person is also using a strong diuretic.
Comments
Prolonged use of this diuretic may affect certain lab test results such as electrolytes (especially potassium and sodium), BUN, uric acid, glucose, and pbi.
Strong diuretics such as this in conjunction with indomethacin may produce natriuretic effects.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
Figwort is nontoxic at therapeutic doses as far as it is known. The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia suggests figwort be avoided in ventricular tachycardia.
Preparation & Administration
Infusion
Use 2-8g of dried herb
Liquid Extract
Use 2-8ml of 1:1 in 25% alcohol
Tincture
Use 2-4ml of 1:10 in 45% alcohol
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
Braun, H. & Frohne, D. Heilplanzen-Lexikon Fuer Aerzte und Apotheker. Gustav Fisher Verlag, Stuttgart, New York, 1987.
British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Spoerke, D.G. Herbal Medicines, manuscript written as Director of the Intermountain Regional Poison Control Center.
Wagner, H. Immunprophylaxe und-therapie durch pflanzen-praeparte. Zhurnal der Allgemein Medizin. 59, 1282-1289, 1983.
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