Hound's Tongue

What other names is Hound's Tongue known by?


What is Hound's Tongue?

Hound's tongue is a plant. The leaf and root are used to make medicine.

Despite serious safety concerns, people take hound's tongue for cough, pain, infections, skin diseases, and bronchitis, as well as diarrhea and other digestion problems.

Some people apply hound's tongue directly to the skin for pain, muscle pain, nerve pain, trauma, wounds, and scars.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

  • Diarrhea and other digestion problems.
  • Skin diseases.
  • Bronchitis.
  • Cough.
  • Pain, when taken by mouth or applied to the skin.
  • Wounds, when applied to the skin.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of hound's tongue for these uses.

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How does Hound's Tongue work?

There isn't enough information available to know how hound's tongue might work as a medicine.

Are there safety concerns?

Hound's tongue is UNSAFE and poisonous. There's a lot of concern about using hound's tongue as medicine, because it contains chemicals called hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which may block blood flow in the veins and cause liver damage. Hepatotoxic PAs might also cause cancer and birth defects. Hound's tongue preparations that are not certified and labeled "hepatotoxic PA-free" are considered UNSAFE.

It's also UNSAFE to apply hound's tongue to broken skin. The dangerous chemicals in hound's tongue can be absorbed quickly through broken skin and can lead to dangerous body-wide toxicity. Steer clear of skin products that aren't certified and labeled "hepatotoxic PA-free." There isn't enough information to know if it's safe to apply certified hepatotoxic PA-free hound's tongue to unbroken skin. It's best to avoid use.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Hound's tongue isn't safe for anyone to use. Some people may be extra sensitive to the toxic effects and should be particularly careful to avoid use.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's UNSAFE to use hound's tongue preparations that might contain hepatotoxic PAs during pregnancy. These products might cause birth defects and liver damage.

It's also UNSAFE to use hound's tongue preparations that might contain hepatotoxic PAs if you are breast-feeding. These chemicals can pass into breast-milk and might harm the nursing infant.

It's not known whether products that are certified hepatotoxic PA-free are safe to use during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Stay in the safe side and avoid using any hound's tongue preparation if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Liver disease: There is concern that the hepatotoxic PAs in hound's tongue might make liver disease worse.

Are there any interactions with medications?

Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Talk with your health provider.

Hound's tongue is broken down by the liver. Some chemicals that form when the liver breaks down hound's tongue can be harmful. Medications that cause the liver to break down hound's tongue might enhance the toxic effects of chemicals contained in hound's tongue.


Dosing considerations for Hound's Tongue.

The appropriate dose of hound's tongue 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 hound's tongue. 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.


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Last Editorial Review: 3/29/2011