Other Name(s):
Acrid Crowfoot, Bachelor's Buttons, Blisterweed, Botón de Oro, Bouton d’Or, Burrwort, Globe Amaranth, Gold Cup, Meadow Buttercup, Meadowbloom, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus acris subsp. friesianus, Ranunculus friesianus, Renoncule Âcre, Tall Buttercup, Yellows, Yellowweed.
- Overview
- Uses
- Side Effects
- Precautions
- Dosing
Buttercup is a plant. People dry the parts that grow above the ground and use them for medicine. Fresh preparations are very irritating and should not be used.
Despite safety concerns, buttercup is used for arthritis, nerve pain, blisters, ongoing (chronic) skin problems, and bronchitis.
How does it work?
Buttercup contains toxins that are very irritating to the skin and the lining of the mouth, stomach, and intestines. There is not enough information to know how buttercup might work for medicinal uses.
SLIDESHOW
Vitamin D Deficiency: How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? See SlideshowInsufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...
- Arthritis.
- Blisters.
- Bronchitis.
- Ongoing (chronic) skin problems.
- Nerve pain.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of buttercup for these uses.
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).
Fresh buttercup is UNSAFE. It may cause severe irritation of the digestive tract, with colic and diarrhea. Irritation of the bladder and urinary tract can also occur. Skin contact may cause blisters and burns that are difficult to heal. It can also increase the risk of sunburn.
Some of the toxins in fresh buttercup might be destroyed in the drying process, but there isn't enough information to know if dried buttercup might be safe.
QUESTION
Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See AnswerPregnancy and breast-feeding: It’s UNSAFE to use fresh buttercup, especially if you are pregnant. Buttercup might cause the uterus to contract, and that could cause a miscarriage. There isn’t enough information to know if it’s safe to use dried buttercup. Stay on the safe side and avoid use, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
The appropriate dose of buttercup 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 buttercup. 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.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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References
Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
