- Region
- Europe
- Origin
- Western and central Europe and north-west Africa; naturalised in North America. Digitalis purpurea; digoxin comes from Digitalis lanata
- Sanskrit
- Hatapatri
Europe · Herb · № 179
Digitalis purpurea
Herb · Europe
Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
Contains cardiac glycosides that slow the heart rate and strengthen its contractions. They gave rise to the drugs digoxin and digitoxin, still prescribed for certain heart rhythm disorders and heart failure. The margin between an effective and a toxic amount is very small.
Safety notes
All parts are highly poisonous. Poisoning causes nausea, vomiting, yellow or blurred vision, heart rhythm disturbances and can be fatal. Mistaking the leaves for comfrey or borage has caused deaths. Never self-medicate; seek emergency help immediately if swallowed.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Ayurvedic materia medica: Highly poisonous, only under medical supervision. Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
Preparation
No preparation for home use: the active compounds are only used as precisely dosed, prescribed medicines. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
In 1785 the English physician William Withering published his study of foxglove for 'dropsy' (fluid retention from heart failure), following a Shropshire folk recipe. It is a classic example of a folk remedy leading to a modern drug. Ody covers it for this history, not as a home remedy.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Ayurvedic materia medica
Attributed effects
Stimulates the heart, tonic, diuretic; strengthens and slows the heartbeat in heart failure, atrial flutter and fibrillation, reduces oedema; ointment to cleanse wounds.
Preparation and amount
Traditionally used forms: tincture, powder, ointment.
Caution: Highly poisonous, only under medical supervision. Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- TinctureSalve and balmPowder and kitchen