Herb & supplement monograph

Alpine Ragwort Drug Interactions, Uses, Safety & More

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS ·Updated July 2026

What is this page for?

First and foremost: how Alpine Ragwort interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Alpine Ragwort is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Alpine Ragwort is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

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Alpine Ragwort Drug Interactions: The Bottom Line

From the HelloPharmacist Editorial Team · Updated July 2026

Based on the available evidence, the overall risk of a clinically significant Alpine Ragwort drug interaction appears low for most people, though the herb itself carries safety concerns worth understanding. None of the listed interactions are rated major, all are moderate, and every one rests on theoretical rather than human evidence.

Interactions deserving the most attention

The one concern that stands out involves CYP3A4 inducers, a group of medications that speed up an enzyme the liver uses to process certain substances. Alpine Ragwort contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, plant compounds that this enzyme can convert into toxic byproducts. In theory, taking a medication that boosts this enzyme could increase that conversion and raise the chance of harm from the herb itself. This has not been confirmed in human studies, but the mechanism is a reasonable concern given the alkaloids involved.

What the rest of the list means

The long list of interacting medications reflects a single shared mechanism applied across many drugs, not dozens of separate proven problems. Every entry is theoretical, drawn from lab research on how the body processes the herb's alkaloids, and none has been shown to cause meaningful changes in people. What ties them together is a possible effect on the herb's own safety rather than on how the medications work.

Check your medications against Alpine Ragwort

Based on HelloPharmacist’s Alpine Ragwort interaction data and reviewed under our editorial standards.

Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Alpine Ragwort

87 medications have a known interaction with Alpine Ragwort, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

Don’t want to scroll the list? Just ask.

Tell us the medications you take and we’ll check each one against Alpine Ragwort using our pharmacist-reviewed interaction data.

AI summaries are generated from our Alpine Ragwort interaction data for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI

2,830 drugs

Read The List Like a Pharmacist

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
Probable. Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
Possible. Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists
Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Where This Data Comes From

Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Alpine Ragwort combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

The big picture

The kinds of drugs Alpine Ragwort affects

Every type of medication (drug category) Alpine Ragwort is known to interact with. Open any category for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

All 1 drug category Alpine Ragwort interacts with

Cytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Inducers

Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Inducers

Theoretically, CYP3A4 inducers might increase the risk of adverse effects from the pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) constituents in alpine ragwort.
Alpine ragwort contains PAs. PAs are substrates of CYP3A4. Theoretically, drugs that induce CYP3A4 might increase the conversion of PAs to toxic metabolites.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Monograph

Alpine Ragwort: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS · Reviewed July 2026 ·

The bottom line

Alpine Ragwort is a wild plant in the daisy family that contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which can severely damage the liver. There is no good scientific evidence that it works for any health condition, and the safety risks are serious. We do not recommend using it.

Scientific name: Senecio nemorensis
Family: Asteraceae
Part used: Aerial parts (leaves, stems, and flowers)
Common forms: Dried herb, tea, tincture, and traditional topical preparations

People commonly use it for

Traditional wound care
Minor bleeding or bruises
Digestive complaints
Menstrual discomfort
Folk remedy for inflammation

Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.

Safety at a glance

OverallBest avoided

It contains liver-toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids and should generally not be taken internally.

PregnancyLikely Unsafe

When used orally. Alpine ragwort preparations containing hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) constituents might be teratogenic and hepatotoxic. Th...

Read the full pregnancy detail

BreastfeedingLikely Unsafe

When used orally. Hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) constituents in alpine ragwort are excreted in milk. There is insufficient reliable informat...

Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

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Overview

Alpine Ragwort (Senecio nemorensis) is a perennial flowering plant in the daisy (Asteraceae) family. It is also called wood ragwort or mountain groundsel. It has upright stems and bright yellow, daisy-like flowers, and it grows wild in woodlands and mountain areas across Europe and parts of Asia.

In some folk traditions, the leaves and flowering parts have been used as a home remedy, mostly applied to the skin or brewed into teas. However, this plant is best known not for any benefit but for being toxic. It belongs to a group of plants that contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, natural chemicals that can poison the liver.

Uses & effectiveness

People have traditionally used Alpine Ragwort and related Senecio plants for things like minor wounds, bruises, bleeding, digestive upset, and menstrual discomfort. These uses come from folk medicine, not from solid modern research.

The scientific evidence supporting any of these uses is very weak or missing. There are no reliable human studies showing that Alpine Ragwort treats any condition. Because the plant carries a real risk of liver damage, the potential harms clearly outweigh any unproven benefit. We cannot recommend it for any use.

How it works

Like other Senecio plants, Alpine Ragwort contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) such as senecionine and retrorsine. Instead of being helpful, these compounds are mainly known for being harmful. In the body, the liver changes some PAs into reactive substances that can injure liver cells, often through oxidative stress and damage to small blood vessels in the liver.

The plant also contains other plant compounds common to the daisy family, but research has not clearly identified any safe, active ingredient responsible for a proven health benefit. Most of what is known comes from laboratory and animal studies focused on the plant's toxicity.

Safety & precautions

Alpine Ragwort is considered unsafe to take by mouth because of its pyrrolizidine alkaloid content. These alkaloids can cause serious, sometimes permanent liver damage. In severe cases, PA poisoning can lead to a dangerous condition where blood flow through the liver becomes blocked.

Repeated or long-term exposure, even at low levels, may build up and harm the liver over time. People with existing liver disease are at especially high risk.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Avoid completely. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids can cross to a developing baby and may pass into breast milk, posing a serious risk. If you are pregnant or nursing, do not use this plant in any form.

If you are considering any herbal product, especially a wild-harvested one, talk with a pharmacist or doctor first. Only certified, lab-tested products labeled as free of toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids should ever be considered, and even then caution is warranted.

Side effects

The most serious concern is liver damage. Warning signs of liver injury can include belly pain (especially on the upper right side), nausea, vomiting, unusual tiredness, dark urine, and yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice). Swelling of the abdomen from fluid buildup can also occur.

Because the plant is in the daisy family, some people may also have allergic reactions, especially those allergic to ragweed, marigolds, daisies, or chrysanthemums. If you develop any signs of liver trouble or an allergic reaction, stop using it and seek medical care right away.

Alpine Ragwort: Reported Adverse Effects

Documented safety reports on Alpine Ragwort from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database, shown word-for-word from the licensed record.

Reports by condition

Diarrhea Hepatic

Orally, the major concern with alpine ragwort use is its pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) content. These constituents can cause liver injury. Chronic exposure to other plants containing hepatotoxic PA constituents is associated with veno-occlusive disease. Subacute veno-occlusive disease can cause vague symptoms, including colicky pains, vomiting, diarrhea, and ascites within several days; persistent liver enlargement occurs within a few weeks.

Chojkier M. Hepatic sinusoidal-obstruction syndrome: toxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. J Hepatol 2003;39:437-46.
Roeder E. Medicinal plants in Europe containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Pharmazie 1995;50:83-98.
WHO working group. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Environmental Health Criteria, 80. WHO: Geneva, 1988.

Hypertension Pulmonary/Respiratory

Orally, the major concern with alpine ragwort use is its pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) content. These constituents can cause lung damage with pulmonary-arterial hypertension.

Chojkier M. Hepatic sinusoidal-obstruction syndrome: toxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. J Hepatol 2003;39:437-46.
Roeder E. Medicinal plants in Europe containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Pharmazie 1995;50:83-98.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.

Adverse-effects data: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

Dosing

There is no established safe dose for Alpine Ragwort. Because of its toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, health authorities generally advise against taking it internally at all.

We do not provide a recommended amount for this plant. If you encounter a product containing Senecio nemorensis, check whether it is certified free of hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, and speak with a pharmacist or doctor before using anything that contains it.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Alpine Ragwort & Pregnancy

Likely Unsafe

When used orally. Alpine ragwort preparations containing hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) constituents might be teratogenic and hepatotoxic. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of alpine ragwort products that do not contain hepatotoxic PAs when used during pregnancy.

Chojkier M. Hepatic sinusoidal-obstruction syndrome: toxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. J Hepatol 2003;39:437-46.
Roeder E. Medicinal plants in Europe containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Pharmazie 1995;50:83-98.

Alpine Ragwort & Breastfeeding

Likely Unsafe

When used orally. Hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) constituents in alpine ragwort are excreted in milk. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of alpine ragwort products that do not contain hepatotoxic PAs when used during lactation.

Chojkier M. Hepatic sinusoidal-obstruction syndrome: toxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. J Hepatol 2003;39:437-46.
Roeder E. Medicinal plants in Europe containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Pharmazie 1995;50:83-98.

Pregnancy & lactation ratings: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

References & further reading

The 4 references that drive our Alpine Ragwort monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

WHO working group. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Environmental Health Criteria, 80. WHO: Geneva, 1988.
Chojkier M. Hepatic sinusoidal-obstruction syndrome: toxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. J Hepatol 2003;39:437-46. PubMed
Roeder E. Medicinal plants in Europe containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Pharmazie 1995;50:83-98.
Wang YP, Yan J, Fu PP, Chou MW. Human liver microsomal reduction of pyrrolizidine alkaloid N-oxides to form the corresponding carcinogenic parent alkaloid. Toxicol Lett 2005;155:411-20. PubMed

Keep reading

This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Alpine Ragwort: Common Questions

Does Alpine Ragwort interact with prescription medications?

Yes. We list 87 medications with a known interaction with Alpine Ragwort. Use the checker above to see how Alpine Ragwort interacts with a specific drug.

How are Alpine Ragwort interactions rated?

Each interaction is graded major, moderate, or minor based on how clinically significant it is and the strength of the evidence behind it. Major interactions are the most serious and are best avoided, or used only under close professional supervision.

Is it safe to take Alpine Ragwort with my medications?

It depends on the specific medication. Some combinations are fine, while others call for monitoring, timing changes, or should be avoided. Check your exact drug above and confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing anything.

Where does this Alpine Ragwort interaction information come from?

Our interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database — an evidence-graded reference for vitamins, herbs, and supplements — and is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists, who may add clinical context.

Is Alpine Ragwort safe to take?

No. It contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause serious liver damage, so it is generally considered unsafe to take by mouth.

What do people use Alpine Ragwort for?

In folk medicine it has been used for wounds, bruises, bleeding, and digestive or menstrual complaints, but there is no reliable evidence that it works for any of these.

Can I use Alpine Ragwort while pregnant or breastfeeding?

No. Avoid it completely during pregnancy and breastfeeding because its toxic alkaloids may harm a developing baby or pass into breast milk.

How would I know if Alpine Ragwort is harming my liver?

Watch for nausea, belly pain, fatigue, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin or eyes, and seek medical care right away if these occur.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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