Spiny cocklebur
Xanthium spinosum
Other names: Spiny cocklebur
Photo credit: Xemenendura
This plant carries serious safety risks. All information is for educational reference only.
Safety information
Toxicity: SERIOUS (general knowledge). Xanthium seedlings and seeds contain carboxyatractyloside, a potent hepatotoxin; livestock and human poisonings (including fatalities) documented. Spiny burs cause mechanical injury.
Contraindications: Do not ingest. The historical 'drink the juice' use is hazardous.
Interactions: Not characterized.
Evidence level
Reported in folk medicine sources; not clinically validated. Folk and historical sources have not been validated by clinical research.
Preparations
This plant carries serious safety risks. All information is for educational reference only.
poultice / drink · leaves, juice
Part used: leaves, juice
Traditional use: leaves bound around the head for headache; expressed juice given as a drink 'for every illness'(Folk and historical sources have not been validated by clinical research.)
Proposed mechanism: Xanthium seedlings and seeds contain carboxyatractyloside, a potent hepatotoxin
Dosage note (descriptive only): Internal-juice use should not be reproduced
Reference only — not a dosage instruction
Associated conditions
Nutritional notes
n/a
Healing traditions
Sources (1)
- Lamberti 1991, in Mindadze, Masalebi 2020, N1