Pygmy smartweed

Related Terms

6,7-4',5'-Dimethylenedioxy-3,5,3'-trimethoxyflavone, 6,7-methylenedioxy-5,3',4',5'-tetramethoxyflavone, bistort, essential oils, flavones, flavonoids, jarak belanda, kelima paya dan cenohom, kesum, kesuma, knotgrass, knotweed, kunyit jawa, methyl flavonol, mile-a-minute, Persicaria minor, petite renou?e (French), pinkweeds, Polygonaceae (family), Polygonum minus Huds., Polygonum minus Hudson, Polygonum minus var. subcontinuum (Meisner) Fernald, pygmy smartweed, small water pepper, small water-pepper, smartweeds, tear-thumb.

Background

Polygonum minus is a plant found in mild-weather regions of Canada, Europe, and the United States. Although the plant has been officially renamed Persicaria minor, it is still often referred to as Polygonum minus. It is also commonly known as pygmy smartweed.
Evidence is currently lacking to support the use of Polygonum minus for any human health condition.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
There is no proven safe or effective dose for Polygonum minus in adults.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Polygonum minus may interact with agents that increase sensitivity to light, alcohol, antibiotics, anticancer agents, and antifungals.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Ahmad S. Research and development on functional foods in Malaysia. Nutr Rev 1996;54(11 Pt 2):S169-S171.
Baharum SN, Bunawan H, Ghani MA, et al. Analysis of the chemical composition of the essential oil of Polygonum minus Huds. using two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF MS). Molecules 2010;15(10):7006-7015.
Gattuso SJ. Structure and ultrastructure of the secretory glands in the genus, Polygonum (L.), section Persicaria (Polygonaceae). Biocell 2001;25(3):229-233.
Hamidun B, Noraini T, Noor M. Foliar anatomy and micromorphology of Polygonum minus Huds. and their taxonomic implications. Aust J Crop Sci 2011;5(2):123-127.
Huda-Faujan N, Noriham A, Norrakiah S, et al. Antioxidant activity of plants methanolic extracts containing phenolic compounds. Afr J Biotechnol 2009;8(3):484-489.
Kozyakov S, Osetrova I, Zil P. Medicinal species of the genus Polygonum L. in the Ukraine. Ukrains'kii Botanichnii Zhurnal 1991;48(2):42-45.
Sumazian Y, Ahmad S, Mansor H, et al. Antioxidant activities, flavonoids, ascorbic acid and phenolic content of Malaysian vegetables. J Med Plants Res 2010;4(10):881-890.
Qader SW, Abdulla MA, Chua LS, et al. Antioxidant, total phenolic content and cytotoxicity evaluation of selected Malaysian plants. Molecules 2011;16(4):3433-3443.
Urones G, Sanchez I, Gomez B, et al. Flavonoids from Polygonum minus. Phytochemistry 1990;29(11):3687-3689.
Wasman Q, Mahmood A, Salehhuddin H, et al. Cytoprotective activities of Polygonum minus aqueous leaf extract on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats. J Med Plants Res 2010;4(24):2658-2665.