Pulsatilla - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Who should not use pulsatilla?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take pulsatilla.

• Pasque flower
• Pulsatilla
• Pulsatilla chinensis
• Pulsatilla nigricans
• Pulsatilla pratensis
• Pulsatilla vulgaris
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific pulsatilla products they stock.

What should I know about pulsatilla before using it?

Pulsatilla is available as a dietary supplement and a homeopathic product. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep pulsatilla out of the reach of children.

The fresh pulsatilla plant is toxic and should not be eaten, touched with bare hands, or applied to the skin. It contains a chemical called protoanemonin that can cause blistering of the skin and severe irritation of the mouth, throat, and stomach. Only dried or properly processed pulsatilla products should be used. Drying and processing the plant converts protoanemonin into anemonin, which is considered less harmful.

Pulsatilla is available both as an herbal supplement and a homeopathic remedy. These are different types of products. Herbal pulsatilla products contain measurable amounts of plant chemicals and may cause side effects. Homeopathic pulsatilla products are extremely diluted and contain very little or none of the original plant material. Make sure you know which type of product you are using, and read the product label carefully.

Herbal products, such as pulsatilla, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific pulsatilla product can change for many reasons, including the species of pulsatilla used, the part of the plant used, the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year when it was harvested, and the way the plant was processed after being harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

Pulsatilla products may be made from different parts of the plant. For example, some products are made from the root, while others are made from the aerial parts (the parts of the plant that grow above the ground), such as the flowers, leaves, or stems. Each of these plant parts contains different chemicals that may have different effects on the body. It is important to read the product label to confirm which part of the plant was used to make that product.

Pulsatilla is available in many different forms, including herbal tinctures, liquid extracts, dried ground powder, teas, and homeopathic pellets or drops. Each of these forms may contain different amounts of the chemicals naturally found in the plant.

If you are using pulsatilla liquid extract or tincture, use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Read the product label carefully, and follow the instructions on the label.

The FDA has not tested pulsatilla products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using pulsatilla?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if pulsatilla is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Allergies to Certain Plants. If you are allergic to any plants in the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family, such as buttercups, clematis, or anemone, you may also be allergic to pulsatilla. Tell your health care provider about any plant allergies you have before taking pulsatilla.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

• Kidney problems
• Liver problems

Pregnancy. Pulsatilla may cause harm to a fetus. You should not take pulsatilla if you are pregnant. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if pulsatilla passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.