Eryngium foetidum (Eryngium foetidum): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Eryngium foetidum work as an anticonvulsant?

Eryngium foetidum contains active compounds including eryngial, flavonoids, and saponins that are believed to exert anticonvulsant and antipyretic effects. Laboratory studies suggest these constituents may modulate neurotransmitter activity and reduce neuronal excitability, though the exact mechanism remains poorly understood. Potential calcium channel modulation and antioxidant properties have been proposed. Evidence Level C (preclinical studies only). More human research is needed to confirm these mechanisms.

Does Eryngium foetidum interact with any medications?

Limited clinical data exists on drug interactions for Eryngium foetidum. Theoretically, due to its potential effects on the central nervous system, it may interact with anticonvulsant medications like phenytoin or carbamazepine, potentially altering their effectiveness. Patients taking antiepileptic drugs should consult a healthcare provider before using this herb. Evidence Level D (theoretical based on mechanism). Caution is also advised when combining with sedatives or other CNS-active medications.

What is the recommended dosage of Eryngium foetidum for medicinal use?

Traditional Caribbean preparations use 10-15 grams of fresh herb prepared as a tea for fever and digestive complaints. This dosage is based on folk medicine traditions rather than standardized clinical trials. Evidence Level C. There is insufficient clinical evidence to establish a proven therapeutic dose. Dosage may vary depending on the condition being treated and individual factors. Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner for personalized guidance.

Is Eryngium foetidum safe during pregnancy?

Eryngium foetidum is considered unsafe during pregnancy, particularly at higher doses. Caribbean folk medicine traditions suggest it may stimulate uterine contractions, posing potential risks for miscarriage or premature labor. Pregnant women should avoid medicinal use of this herb. Evidence Level D (based on traditional use and theoretical concerns). Limited safety data exists for breastfeeding women, so caution is also advised during lactation. Culinary amounts in food are generally considered lower risk.

What is Eryngium foetidum used for in traditional medicine?

Eryngium foetidum, also known as culantro or Mexican coriander, is traditionally used in Caribbean and Tropical American folk medicine for treating fever, convulsions, and digestive complaints. The herb has strong coriander-like aromatic properties and is valued for its antipyretic and anticonvulsant effects. Evidence Level C (preclinical and traditional use). While laboratory studies show promising bioactivity, human clinical trials are lacking to confirm therapeutic efficacy.

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 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Eryngium foetidum is a perennial herb native to tropical America and the West Indies, used extensively as a culinary spice and medicinal plant [PMID:21062639, PMID:37667775, PMID:40554424].

Background

Also known as culantro, spiny coriander, or chicória-do-Pará, it is a member of the Apiaceae family found in tropical and subtropical regions [PMID:35321504, PMID:38837651, PMID:40554424].

Traditional uses

Ethnomedicinal uses include the treatment of burns, earache, fevers, hypertension, constipation, fits, asthma, stomach ache, worms, infertility complications, snake bites, diarrhea, malaria [PMID:21062639], and inflammatory pain [PMID:41999679]. It is also used for central nervous system disorders such as paralysis, epilepsy, seizure, convulsion, chronic pain, headache, sleep disturbances, sprain, and mental disorders [PMID:38636579].

Active compounds

Leaf extracts contain flavonoids, tannins, saponins, triterpenoids [PMID:21062639], lutein, β-carotenes, chlorogenic acid, kaempferol, and caffeic acid [PMID:22524841]. Essential oils contain (E)-2-dodecenal (eryngial), 13-tetradecenal, dodecanal, and 2,4,5-trimethylbenzaldehyde [PMID:28930239, PMID:38837651]. Other identified compounds include phytosterols such as stigmasterol [PMID:10189959] and arabinogalactan polysaccharides [PMID:41999679].

Mechanism of action

Anti-inflammatory effects are mediated via inhibition of LPS-induced phosphorylation of JNK, p38, and IκB, and suppression of IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS, and COX-2 gene expression [PMID:22524841]. In gastric cancer cells, ethanol extracts induce mitochondrial-associated apoptosis via ROS generation [PMID:35067132].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DInflammatory pain (mice)

A polysaccharide fraction (EFS100R) significantly reduced abdominal writhing episodes, leukocyte migration, and plasma extravasation [PMID:41999679].

Evidence DHelicobacter pylori infection (mice)

Methanol extract reduced the number of infected animals to 17% compared to 100% in the untreated group [PMID:27631003].

Evidence DAcute/Chronic inflammation (mice)

Hexane extract and stigmasterol reduced auricular oedema induced by TPA [PMID:10189959].

Evidence DStrongyloides stercoralis (in vitro)

Petrol extract and the isolated compound trans-2-dodecenal showed potent anthelmintic activity [PMID:24139239].

Evidence DListeria monocytogenes (in vitro)

Essential oil inactivated L. monocytogenes, particularly when combined with low pasteurization temperatures [PMID:24674435].

Safety & adverse effects

In zebrafish embryos, n-hexane extracts produced higher toxicity (LC50 2.63 µg/mL) causing coagulated embryos, caudal fin hypertrophy, and edema [PMID:40208784]. A 24-week toxicity study in mice showed that high-dose diets (1.6% and 3.2%) affected Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) results [PMID:27437090].

Evidence summary

The evidence consists primarily of in vitro studies and animal models (mice, zebrafish), indicating strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial potential, but lacks human clinical trials.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 21062639 (2011) — Eryngium foetidum L.: a review. · Fitoterapia
2.PMID: 22524841 (2012) — Eryngium foetidum suppresses inflammatory mediators produced by macrophages. · Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP
3.PMID: 28930239 (2017) — Eryngium foetidum L. Essential Oils: Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Capacity. · Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)
4.PMID: 38837651 (2024) — Eryngial: An α,β-Unsaturated Fatty Aldehyde as the Major Phytotoxin in Spiny Coriander (Eryngium foetidum L.) Essential Oil. · Chemistry & biodiversity
5.PMID: 37237978 (2023) — Extracts of Eryngium foetidum Leaves from the Amazonia Were Efficient Scavengers of ROS and RNS. · Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Eryngium foetidum

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Eryngium foetidum