Lamb's Quarters (Chenopodium album): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Lamb's Quarters work as a medicinal herb?

Lamb's Quarters exerts its medicinal effects primarily through its rich flavonoid content, including rutin and quercetin, which provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. These compounds support liver function and cellular protection. The plant's significant iron, calcium, and vitamin content contribute to its nutritive tonic properties, making it valuable for addressing nutritional deficiencies. Evidence level: C (preliminary evidence from phytochemical analysis and traditional use).

Does Lamb's Quarters interact with any medications?

Lamb's Quarters may interact with anticoagulant medications such as warfarin due to its vitamin K content, potentially reducing anticoagulant effectiveness. The oxalate content may bind to certain minerals and medications, reducing their absorption. Individuals taking blood thinners, diuretics, or medications for kidney conditions should consult a healthcare provider before consuming Lamb's Quarters in medicinal amounts. Evidence level: C (theoretical interactions based on constituent profile).

How much Lamb's Quarters is safe to eat daily?

Lamb's Quarters is typically consumed as a leafy vegetable at 50-100 grams of fresh leaves daily. The leaves can be prepared like spinach, either cooked or eaten raw in salads. Seed flour from the plant can also be incorporated into foods. Those new to consuming Lamb's Quarters should start with smaller portions to assess individual tolerance. Evidence level: Traditional/C (based on historical use patterns rather than clinical trials).

Is Lamb's Quarters safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Lamb's Quarters is considered safe during pregnancy when consumed as a food in normal culinary amounts. The plant provides beneficial nutrients including iron and calcium that may support pregnancy nutrition. However, pregnant women should avoid excessive consumption due to oxalate content and ensure adequate hydration. Breastfeeding women should follow similar moderation guidelines. Evidence level: C (based on traditional use and nutritional analysis).

Can Lamb's Quarters cause kidney stones?

Yes, Lamb's Quarters contains significant oxalic acid, which can contribute to calcium oxalate kidney stone formation in susceptible individuals. People with a history of kidney stones should avoid or strictly limit consumption. The plant is contraindicated for those with kidney stones or gout due to its oxalate and purine content. Cooking leaves and discarding cooking water can reduce oxalate levels. Evidence level: C (established oxalate content with clinical extrapolation).

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

Chenopodium album, also known as Bathua, is a nutritionally and pharmacologically significant herb with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective properties [PMID:40207816, PMID:40265310].

Background

Chenopodium album (fat-hen or lamb's quarters) is a cosmopolitan annual shrub and widely adapted weed found in temperate and tropical regions across Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America [PMID:30302328, PMID:30623324, PMID:40265310]. It is an allohexaploid plant [PMID:39372839, PMID:27513342].

Traditional uses

In folk medicine, it is used to treat cancer, viral infections, parasitic diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, and bacterial or fungal infections [PMID:35337553]. Leaves are applied as a poultice for bug bites, sunstroke, and rheumatic joints, and are used as a mild laxative [PMID:30302328]. It is also traditionally used for the correction of urinary stones and kidney diseases [PMID:27864113].

Active compounds

The plant contains flavonoids (including quercetin, kaempferol, rutin, and 2-(3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3, 5, 7-trihydroxy-4H-chromen-4-one), saponins, steroids, phenolics, alkaloids, and ascaridole [PMID:40207816, PMID:30302328, PMID:40265310, PMID:37446567]. It is rich in minerals (Mg, Ca, Fe, K, P), vitamins (ascorbic acid, thiamine, riboflavin), and fibers [PMID:40207816]. Specific phenols and lignans such as ferulic acid, pinoresinol, and syringaresinol have also been identified [PMID:17019936].

Mechanism of action

The plant exhibits antioxidant activity, as demonstrated by DPPH free radical scavenging assays [PMID:35844414]. Ascaridole is noted for contributing to its anthelmintic properties [PMID:37446567].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DHepatotoxicity

Methanolic extract of C. album ameliorates carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in a rat model [PMID:35844414]

Evidence DUrolithiasis

Methanolic and aqueous leaf extracts prevent ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis in rats [PMID:27864113]

Evidence CGeneral Pharmacological Effects

Reviews indicate anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities [PMID:37446567, PMID:40265310]

Safety & adverse effects

C. album polcalcin (Che a 3) is a major cause of cross-reactivity in allergic patients to the Chenopodiaceae family [PMID:32615661]. Pollen from C. album can be allergenic [PMID:12602659, PMID:14083838, PMID:2581481].

Evidence summary

The evidence consists primarily of in vitro phytochemical analyses, animal models (rats), and literature reviews. There is a lack of human clinical trial data.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 12602659 (2003) — Lamb's quarter, Chenopodium album. · Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
2.PMID: 17188831 (2007) — Emerging pollen allergens. · Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
3.PMID: 40207816 (2025) — Chemistry and Pharmacology of Chenopodium album L. (BATHUA). · Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening
4.PMID: 39372839 (2024) — The genome sequence of fat-hen, Chenopodium album L. · Wellcome open research
5.PMID: 14083838 (1963) — LAMB'S QUARTERS POLLEN. · Annals of allergy
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Lamb's Quarters

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Lamb's Quarters