Menyanthes trifoliata (Menyanthes trifoliata): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Menyanthes trifoliata work as a digestive bitter?

Menyanthes trifoliata contains bitter iridoid glycosides, including loganin and menyanthine, which stimulate bitter taste receptors on the tongue. This triggers a vagal reflex that increases gastric acid secretion, bile flow, and digestive enzyme production. This mechanism, known as the 'bitter reflex,' enhances overall digestive function and appetite. The caffeic and ferulic acids may also contribute anti-inflammatory effects. Evidence level: C (traditional use and pharmacological plausibility).

Is bogbean safe to take during pregnancy?

No, Menyanthes trifoliata (bogbean) is contraindicated during pregnancy and is considered unsafe. The herb's bitter compounds and potential uterine-stimulating effects pose risks during gestation. Additionally, it should not be used while breastfeeding due to insufficient safety data. Women who are pregnant or trying to conceive should avoid this herb entirely and consult a qualified healthcare provider for alternative options.

What is the recommended dosage for Menyanthes trifoliata?

The standard adult dosage for Menyanthes trifoliata is 1-3 grams of dried leaf daily or 1-2 mL of tincture (1:5 ratio) taken before meals to stimulate digestion. As a bitter tonic, it is best consumed 15-30 minutes before eating. Due to limited clinical trial data, these recommendations are based on traditional use and pharmacopoeial standards. Evidence level: C. Always follow manufacturer instructions or consult a medical herbalist.

Does bogbean interact with any medications?

Menyanthes trifoliata may theoretically interact with medications affected by gastric pH or liver metabolism. Its stimulation of gastric acid secretion could potentially reduce the effectiveness of proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers. Additionally, effects on hepatic function may alter the metabolism of certain drugs. However, specific clinical interaction studies are lacking. Patients taking prescription medications should consult a healthcare provider before use. Evidence level: D (theoretical).

What are the side effects of Menyanthes trifoliata?

At recommended doses, Menyanthes trifoliata is generally well-tolerated. However, excessive doses may cause nausea and diarrhea due to its potent bitter properties. Individuals with acute gastrointestinal inflammation or existing diarrhea should avoid this herb, as it may exacerbate these conditions. The bitter taste itself may cause mild gastric discomfort in sensitive individuals. Discontinue use if significant digestive upset occurs.

What is Menyanthes trifoliata used for traditionally?

Menyanthes trifoliata has a long history of traditional use as a bitter tonic for digestive complaints, liver support, and appetite stimulation. It has been employed for rheumatic conditions, fever reduction, and various skin conditions. The herb was historically valued in European folk medicine for its stimulating and cleansing properties. Current evidence level is C, based primarily on traditional use and preliminary pharmacological data rather than rigorous clinical trials.

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 25 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Menyanthes trifoliata (buckbean) is a medicinal aquatic plant found in Asia, Europe, and North America with documented anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cytotoxic properties [PMID:30610508, 31737178].

Background

Menyanthes trifoliata, also known as buckbean or bogbean, is an emergent aquatic plant that grows on peat bogs and swamps in Europe, North America, and Asia [PMID:31737178, 35050061].

Traditional uses

It has been used in traditional medicine for centuries as a remedy for anemia, lack of appetite [PMID:30610508], and in Swedish traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory kidney diseases such as glomerulonephritis [PMID:23196151]. In China, it is used as a hypnotic remedy in ethnomedicines [PMID:39647592].

Active compounds

The plant contains lupane triterpenoids (including 23-O-trans-feruloylcylicodiscic acid) [PMID:29658298], polyphenolic compounds such as sinapinic, ferulic, syringic, and vanilic acids [PMID:30610508], and secoiridoids including dihydrofoliamenthin, menthiafolin, and loganin [PMID:17262264]. It also contains immunomodulating polysaccharide fractions [PMID:15813366] and iridoids [PMID:19615800].

Mechanism of action

The herb may exert anti-inflammatory effects through the inhibition of platelet activating factor (PAF)-induced exocytosis and the inhibition of elastase activity [PMID:23195814, 23196151]. Certain extracts demonstrate the ability to induce apoptosis in grade IV glioma cells [PMID:30610508] and influence the expression of antioxidant (e.g., HO-1, NRF2) and inflammation-related genes (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α) [PMID:31737178].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DInflammation/Edema

Rhizome decoction inhibited carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and ethyl phenylpropiolate-induced rat ear edema in a dose-dependent manner [PMID:23196151].

Evidence DAcute Renal Failure

Oral administration of water decoction from rhizomes preserved renal function (higher GFR) after renal ischemia in rats [PMID:23195814].

Evidence DCancer (Glioma)

Root extracts exhibited cytotoxic effects and induced apoptosis in grade IV glioma cells in vitro, without affecting normal human astrocytes [PMID:30610508].

Evidence DInsomnia

Evaluated as a sedative-hypnotic candidate in mice using EEG/EMG and behavioral tests [PMID:39647592].

Safety & adverse effects

In a metallomic profiling study, compendial permissible limits for elements were not exceeded, and no evidence of non-carcinogenic risk was found [PMID:36266322]. A rhizome decoction showed only minor hemolytic activity [PMID:23196151].

Drug interactions

Bogbean is listed as a herbal product that may potentially increase the risk of bleeding or potentiate the effects of warfarin therapy [PMID:10902065].

Evidence summary

The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), demonstrating potential anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and sedative activities; there are no human clinical trials provided in the source material.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 29658298 (2019) — Anti-inflammatory lupane triterpenoids from Menyanthes trifoliata. · Journal of Asian natural products research
2.PMID: 10902065 (2000) — Potential interactions between alternative therapies and warfarin. · American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
3.PMID: 35050061 (2022) — Diurnal Change of the Photosynthetic Light-Response Curve of Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata), an Emergent Aquatic Plant. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
4.PMID: 36751911 (2023) — Plant phenology and species-specific traits control plant CH4 emissions in a northern boreal fen. · The New phytologist
5.PMID: 35780286 (2022) — Antioxidant Activity and Profile of Phenolic Compounds in Selected Herbal Plants.

Menyanthes trifoliata

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Menyanthes trifoliata