Mercury herb is a plant. People use the flowering plant, root, and root-like stem (rhizome) of the plant to make medicine.
Despite serious safety concerns, mercury herb is used for treating constipation, fluid retention, and diseases of the stomach, intestines, and urinary tract. But there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Is It Effective?
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
- Constipation.
- Disorders of the digestive tract.
- Disorders of the kidney, bladder, or urethra.
- Fluid retention.
- Infections.
- Swelling (inflammation).
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of mercury herb for these uses.
Is it Safe?
The root and stem of mercury herb might work as laxatives to help stool move through the intestine.
When taken by mouth: Mercury herb is LIKELY UNSAFE when the fresh plant is taken by mouth. It can cause diarrhea, bladder problems, paralysis, liver and kidney failure, and death.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to use mercury herb if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. It contains chemicals that might harm the baby.
Plant allergies: Mercury herb pollen might cause allergic reactions, nose irritation, and asthma in some people who are sensitive to mercury herb and related plants. Some of these plants are ash, castor bean plant, mugwort, olive, pellitory-of-the-wall, and Salsola kali.
It is not known if Mercury Herb interacts with any medicines. Before taking Mercury Herb, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
There are no known interactions with foods.
The appropriate dose of mercury herb depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for mercury herb. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Chou de Chien, Foirolle, Merculiare, Mercurial, Mercuriale, Mercuriale Annuelle, Mercuriale des Jardins, Mercurialis annua, Ortie Bâtarde, Ortiga Muerta, Vignette.
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