Ragwort

If you are growing elder, lore suggests that you ask for the fairies protection, and garland the tree with ragwort (Senecio species) to encourage fairy blessings, especially on Midsummer s Day. Pan, the playful god who was half man and half goat, played pipes of elder. 

White, R.D., R.A. Swick, and P.R. Cheeke. 1984. Effects of dietary copper and molybdenum on tansy ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) toxicity in sheep. Amer. Jour. Vet. Res. 45 159-161. 

Liver "Hepatitis" and cirrhosis of liver - Ragwort or groundsel Pyrrolizidine alkaloids -attack liver vessels - affects... 

Deinzer, M. L., Thompson, P. A., Burgett, D. M. and Isaacson, D. L. 1977. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids Their occurrence in honey from tansy ragwort (S. jacobaea). Science, 195 497 99. 

Senecio argunensis Turcz. S. nemorensis L. S. scandens Buch-Ham ex D. Don Qian Li Guang (Ragwort) (aerial part) Lavoxanthin, macrophylline, cynarin, chlorogenic acid, chrysanthemaxanthin, sarracine.33,48 Antibacterial, antiplasmodial, treat acute bacterial dysentery and bronchitis. 

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) Uses Topical treatment of wounds, bruises, sprains, inflammation Action Multiple chemical components, allantoin promotes cell division, rosmarinic acid has anti-inflammatory effects, tannin possesses astringent effects, mucilage is a demulcent w/ anti-inflammatory properties, pyrrolizidine alkaloids cause hepatotox Available forms Topical application w/ 5—20% of herb applied on intact skin for up to 10 d Contra Do not take orally d/t hepatotox, do not use if PRG or w/ lactation Notes/SE N/V, exfoliative dermatitis w/ topical use Interactions T Risk of hepatotox W/ ingestion of borage, golden ragwort, hemp, Petasites EMS None... 

In coughs, colds, influenza, catarrhs, and for the relief of sciatica and rheumatic pains, wineglass doses of the ounce to pint decoction are taken as needed. Makes a good gargle, and is applied externally to ulcers and wounds. Ragwort ointment is prepared from the fresh herb and used for inflammation of the eyes. 

In feverish colds and faulty menstruation due to chills. Wineglass doses of the 1 ounce to 1 pint infusions are taken warm. Hool tells us that Wood Sage "combined with Comfrey and Ragwort, freely influences the bladder," and that it is "an appetiser of the first order, and as a tonic will be found equal to Gentian."... 

Boneset, Heartsease, Marigold, Pennyroyal, Prickly Ash, Ragwort, Wood Sage, Yarrow. 

The crude alkaloid preparation from Senecio jacobaea (tangsy ragwort) is converted to pyrrolic derivatives by mammalian liver microsomes. Highest yields were obtained with microsomes from the hamster liver (171, 172). 

Three alkaloids previously isolated36 from the common Senecio species S. eruci-folius L. (hoary ragwort), S. jacobaea L. (ragwort), and S. vulgaris L. (groundsel),... 

Apart from humans, livestock may also be exposed and suffer the toxic effects. Where there is abundant vegetation for grazing, animals will ignore plants that contain the alkaloids, like ragwort (Senecio jacoboea). If, however, food plants are sparse, poisonous weeds wiU be eaten. In some... 

PATER ANTE FILIUM — i.e.. Patricide, i.e., Satyrion, the Herb Ragwort. 

A Species of Ragwort, the Flowers of which resemble some very fertile... 

Hepatotoxic, e.g. from Amanita phalloides (death cap mushroom), from Senecio (ragwort) and Crotalatia and from bush teas prepared from these plants in the Caribbean. Aflatoxin, from Aspergillus flavus, a fungus which contaminates foods, is probably a cause of primary liver cancer. 

Many species of Senecio, such as Senecio jacobaea (ragwort) and Senecio longilobus (thread leaf groundsel), contain hepatotoxic amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (which are covered in a separate monograph). Honey made from Senecio plants also contains pjrrolizidine alkaloids (32). 

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