Arrowhead vs Menyanthes trifoliata

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Arrowhead

Sagittaria sagittifolia

Digestive

Digestive

Arrowhead

✅ Generally safe in pregnancy

✅ Generally safe while nursing

Menyanthes trifoliata

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

Aquatic plant used in TCM and Native American medicine for digestive and skin conditions.

Aquatic plant of boggy areas in northern hemisphere; traditional bitter tonic and rheumatic remedy.

Active Compounds

alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, polysaccharides, starch

menyanthine, foliamenthin, loganin, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, rutin

Traditional Uses

TCM digestive herb, Native American food plant, East Asian wetland herb

rheumatism, digestive bitters, liver support, fever, skin conditions

Modern Uses

digestive tonic, diuretic, skin conditions, nutritive

anti-inflammatory, bitter tonic, antioxidant, diuretic

Adult Dosage

5-10g tuber as food or 2-4g dried herb as tea

1-3g dried leaf or 1-2ml tincture daily

Contraindications

rare allergy

pregnancy, acute GI inflammation, diarrhea

Side Effects

generally safe, mild GI upset

nausea at high doses, diarrhea

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E