Western Herbalism
Toadflax
Linaria vulgaris
Also known as Yellow Toadflax, Butter-and-eggs, Toad Flax, Snap-dragon, Butter, eggs, Ramsted.
Toadflax is traditionally indicated for: Bladder infections, Digestive tract disorders, Liver disease, Sores, Scrofula, Spleen obstructions and hypertrophy, Malignant ulcers, Oed, Abdominal cramps, Gall bladder complaints, Foot ulcers, Dropsy, Cystitis, Piles, Urinary tract disorder, and 21 further conditions.
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Indications what the tradition reached for it in
- Bladder infections
- Digestive tract disorders
- Liver disease
- Sores
- Scrofula
- Spleen obstructions and hypertrophy
- Malignant ulcers
- Oed
- Abdominal cramps
- Gall bladder complaints
- Foot ulcers
- Dropsy
- Cystitis
- Piles
- Urinary tract disorder
- Skin eruptions
- Fluid retention
- Jaundice
- Ulcerous sores
- Wounds
- Diarrhea
- Skin conditions
- Inflammation of eyes
- Enteritis
- Hemorrhoids
- Bloating
- Bleeding
- Edema
- Urinary disorders
- Urinary complaints
Safety
Low dose botanical. Used in drop doses in the classical practice; not a plant to dose freely.
Pregnancy: Pregnancy Caution
Breastfeeding: Lactation (source flag notSafeInLactation)
The record lists 2 contraindications; open the plate in the library to read them in full.
Dosing as the sources wrote it
| Preparation | As written | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Tincture | Tincture 1:5, 20-30 drops (1ml) 2x daily | 0.4-0.6 mL |
| A strong tincture (℥viii to alcohol 98 per cent Oj), may be given in doses of a fraction of a drop to 10 drops. | 0.2 mL | |
| Infusion (1 oz to 1 pint, alterative) | ||
| Tea (2-4g dried flowering tops/cup, steep 10-15 min, up to 3x daily) |
Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.
From the sources
indications. Toadflax is traditionally indicated for: Bladder infections, Digestive tract disorders, Liver disease, Sores, Scrofula, Spleen obstructions and hypertrophy, Malignant ulcers, Oed, Abdominal cramps, Gall bladder complaints, Foot ulcers, Dropsy, Cystitis, Piles, Urinary tract disorder, and 21 further conditions.
constituents. Notable constituents of Toadflax include: Iridoid glycosides (antirrhinoside, aucubin), Flavonoid glycosides (linarin, neolinarin, pectolinarin), Acids (linarosine, linaracin, antirrhinic, tannic, citric), Acrid oil, Mucilage, Sugar.
dose-reference. Reference preparation/dosing for Toadflax: Infusion (1 oz to 1 pint, alterative); Decoction (leaves/flowers for liver); Tea (2-4g dried flowering tops/cup, steep 10-15 min, up to 3x daily); Tincture 1:5, 20-30 drops (1ml) 2x daily; Ointment (flowers boiled in lard); Poultice (fresh plant
safety-cautions. Toadflax - Contraindications: Avoid in kidney disorders, May potentiate diuretics or antihypertensives | Side effects: Mild stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea, contact dermatitis (topical | Safety flags: not considered safe in pregnancy; not considered safe during lactation; low-dose / narrow therapeutic window (use caution).
Drawn from King's American Dispensatory, 18th edition (Felter and Lloyd), and the Bountiful Herbs editorial.
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