Eryngium Campestre Herb (Eryngium campestre): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Eryngium campestre work as a diuretic?

Eryngium campestre works primarily through its saponin and flavonoid content. These compounds exert diuretic effects by irritating the renal epithelium, which increases urine production and flow. This mechanism helps flush the urinary tract, supporting its traditional use for kidney stones and urinary infections. Additionally, the presence of phenolic acids contributes to anti-inflammatory activity, which may soothe irritated urinary membranes. While these mechanisms are biologically plausible, specific clinical trials confirming efficacy are lacking (Evidence Level C).

Does Eryngium campestre interact with any medications?

Due to its diuretic properties, Eryngium campestre may interact with diuretic drugs like furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide, potentially leading to excessive fluid loss or electrolyte imbalances. It may also interact with Lithium, as increased urination can alter the drug's clearance from the body, increasing the risk of toxicity. Because clinical interaction studies are limited (Evidence Level D), individuals taking prescription medications for blood pressure or heart conditions should consult a healthcare provider before use.

What is the recommended dosage for Eryngium campestre?

The standard adult dosage for Eryngium campestre is 3 to 6 grams of the dried root prepared as a tea, or approximately 4 ml of a liquid tincture taken daily. These recommendations are derived from traditional European herbal pharmacopoeias rather than modern clinical trials (Evidence Level C). Users should start with the lowest effective dose to assess tolerance. It is generally recommended for short-term use to support urinary tract health, and prolonged use should be supervised by a qualified medical herbalist.

Is Eryngium campestre safe to take during pregnancy?

No, Eryngium campestre is considered unsafe during pregnancy. The herb's saponin content and diuretic action can stimulate uterine contractions and increase pelvic blood flow, posing a risk of miscarriage or premature labor. Historically, it was used as an emmenagogue to stimulate menstrual flow. Due to these potential risks and a lack of safety data (Evidence Level D), pregnant and breastfeeding women should strictly avoid this herb.

Can Eryngium campestre help with kidney stones?

Traditionally, Eryngium campestre is used as a remedy for kidney stones. Its diuretic action increases urine volume, which may help flush out small stones or gravel from the urinary tract. However, it is contraindicated in cases of active kidney inflammation or infection. While there is a long history of folk use for this purpose (Evidence Level C), there is currently no high-quality clinical evidence to prove it dissolves stones. It should not replace standard medical treatment for renal calculi.

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 29 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Eryngium campestre is a thorny herb of the Apiaceae family used in Mediterranean countries as food and traditional remedies [PMID:28332760]. It has demonstrated antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic properties in various laboratory and animal models [PMID:40670425, PMID:16529889, PMID:28332760].

Background

Eryngium campestre is a thorny herb belonging to the Apiaceae family that grows spontaneously in dry meadows and stony pastures, particularly on calcareous substrates [PMID:28332760]. It is found in regions including Central Italy, Algeria, Turkey, Germany, and Spain [PMID:28332760, PMID:31311207, PMID:16529889, PMID:18564089, PMID:24146454].

Traditional uses

In Mediterranean countries, the plant has been used as food or as traditional remedies to treat various ailments [PMID:28332760]. It is used as a folk remedy worldwide for the treatment of various inflammatory disorders [PMID:16529889].

Active compounds

The plant contains essential oils rich in sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, specifically germacrene D (major compound), allo-aromadendrene, β-elemene, spathulenol, ledol [PMID:28332760], and campestrolide (a 17-membered ring lactone) [PMID:31311207, PMID:30544816]. Other identified constituents include triterpene saponins from the roots [PMID:16872157, PMID:16204991], coumarin derivatives such as aegelinol benzoate, agasyllin, and grandivittin [PMID:17342596], as well as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, phenols, terpenoids, steroids, and coumarins [PMID:40670425].

Mechanism of action

Aqueous extracts of E. campestre have been shown to reduce levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in rat serum [PMID:31473993]. In murine endothelial cells, extracts inhibited cytokine-stimulated, iNOS-dependent synthesis of nitric oxide [PMID:15800391].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DInflammation (Animal/In Vitro)

Ethanol extracts from aerial parts or roots showed apparent anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity in mice [PMID:16529889].

Evidence DCalcium Oxalate Kidney Stones (Animal)

Aqueous extracts from aerial parts reduced IL-1β and IL-6 levels in rats with ethylene glycol-induced kidney stones [PMID:31473993].

Evidence DBacterial Infections (In Vitro)

Egyptian ecotype shoot (ethyl acetate fraction) and root (petroleum ether fraction) extracts inhibited the growth of nine tested bacterial species [PMID:40670425].

Evidence DCancer (In Vitro)

Essential oils showed cytotoxic effects on human malignant melanoma (A375), breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB 231), and colon carcinoma (HCT116) cells [PMID:28332760].

Evidence DTrypanosoma/Leishmania (In Vitro)

Hexanic extracts showed moderate antitrypanosomal and antileishmanial activities; the compound campestrolide was very active against Trypanosoma [PMID:30544816].

Safety & adverse effects

A hexanic extract of E. campestre displayed cytotoxicity against human normal fibroblasts (IC50 = 4.4 μg/mL) [PMID:30544816]. Some sources categorize it as a meadow weed that can be toxic to animals [PMID:32390852].

Evidence summary

The current evidence is based entirely on in vitro studies (cell lines, bacterial cultures) and in vivo animal models (rats, mice). There are no human clinical trials available in the provided data.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 28332760 (2017) — Cytotoxic Essential Oils from Eryngium campestre and Eryngium amethystinum (Apiaceae) Growing in Central Italy. · Chemistry & biodiversity
2.PMID: 31311207 (2019) — Essential Oil of Algerian Eryngium campestre: Chemical Variability and Evaluation of Biological Activities. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3.PMID: 16872157 (2006) — Triterpene saponins from Eryngium campestre. · Journal of natural products
4.PMID: 40670425 (2025) — Evaluation of the antibacterial potential in shoot and root extracts of Eryngium campestre with emphasis on Egyptian ecotype. · Scientific reports
5.PMID: 31473993 (2019) — The Effects of Aqueous Extract of Eryngium Campestre on Ethylene Glycol-Induced Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stone in Rats. · Urology journal

Eryngium Campestre Herb

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Eryngium Campestre Herb