Spiny restharrow

Ononis spinosa

Other names: Restharrow, cammock, Ononidis radix, Hauhechelwurzel

European

Photo credit: Stemonitis / Wikimedia Commons

Safety information

Toxicity: Low at monograph doses (well-tolerated as tea). Contains isoflavones/phytoestrogens and essential oil; data limited beyond traditional dose.

Contraindications: Conditions requiring fluid restriction (e.g. severe cardiac/renal impairment with oedema); adults and adolescents >12 only per monograph; not established in pregnancy/lactation; hypersensitivity.

Interactions: None firmly established; caution with diuretics (additive aquaresis). Phytoestrogen content — theoretical caution with hormone-sensitive conditions/therapy.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Not established in pregnancy/lactation.

Evidence level

Traditional (systematized)

Documented in systematic traditional medicine literature.

Preparations

decoction · root

Part used: root

Traditional use: minor urinary-tract complaints / increase urine production

Proposed mechanism: aquaretic; root extracts inhibit IL-8 via TLR4/LPS (preclinical)

Dosage note (descriptive only): drink with plenty of fluid; adults and adolescents >12 only

Evidence:Traditional (systematized)

General preparation guide →

Associated conditions

minor urinary-tract complaints increase urine production flushing/irrigation of the urinary tract

Nutritional notes

Not a food

Healing traditions

European

Sources (3)

Final assessment report on Ononis spinosa L., radix — EMA/HMPC (EN)
Ononidis radix — herbal medicinal product — EMA (EN)
Root Extracts From Ononis spinosa Inhibit IL-8 Release via TLR4 and LPS (Frontiers in Pharmacology / PMC, 2020)

All sources →