Identity & origin
BOTANICAL IDENTITY
The right name is the first step.
Apocynum cannabinum is documented in Kew’s SEPASAL inventory. This notice identifies the taxon and a selection of attributed historical uses. It does not recommend medicinal use.
Also known as: Apocynum cannabinum L., Apocynum album Greene, Apocynum venetum A.DC., Apocynum breweri Greene, Apocynum cervinum Greene, Apocynum dimidiatum Raf., Apocynum laurinum Greene, Apocynum oblongum Greene, Apocynum palustre Greene, Apocynum procerum Greene, Apocynum salignum Greene, Apocynum thermale Greene, Apocynum sibiricum Jacq., Apocynum arenarium Greene, Apocynum bebbianum Greene, Apocynum bolanderi Greene, Apocynum canadense Shecut, Apocynum dictyotum Greene, Apocynum farwellii Greene, Apocynum ithacense Greene, Apocynum littorale Greene, Apocynum nevadense Goodd., Apocynum purpureum Tausch, Apocynum cinereum Nieuwl., Apocynum cordigerum Greene, Apocynum estellinum Greene, Apocynum isophyllum Greene, Apocynum myrianthum Greene, Apocynum suksdorfii Greene, Apocynum carolinii Nieuwl., Apocynum oliganthum Greene, Apocynum densiflorum Greene, Apocynum longifolium Greene, Apocynum nemorale G.S.Mill., Apocynum subuligerum Greene, Apocynum missouriense Greene, Apocynum platyphyllum Greene, Apocynum hypericifolium Aiton, Apocynum angustifolium Wooton, Apocynum tomentulosum Nieuwl.
The accepted name is reconciled with GBIF; historical source names remain visible as synonyms. Other species and plant parts are not interchangeable. A photograph cannot confirm an identification for consumption.
An illustration is not enough to identify a plant for consumption. Do not forage for a species based solely on this profile.
Uses & evidence
UNDERSTANDING THE USES
Properties & uses.
Historical record: cardiovascular stimulant
SEPASAL records an earlier use involving 'roots' under “cardiovascular stimulant” (use group 12153). This is a documentary report, not a demonstrated action in humans. The entry does not establish an effective dose, safety or a suitable home preparation.
Use reported in a survey or inventory. This establishes neither benefit nor safety.
Read the sourceHistorical record: diuretic
SEPASAL records an earlier use involving 'roots' under “diuretic” (use group 12151). This is a documentary report, not a demonstrated action in humans. The entry does not establish an effective dose, safety or a suitable home preparation.
Use reported in a survey or inventory. This establishes neither benefit nor safety.
Read the sourceHistorical record: benign neoplasms
SEPASAL records an earlier use involving 'roots' under “benign neoplasms” (use group 12149). This is a documentary report, not a demonstrated action in humans. The entry does not establish an effective dose, safety or a suitable home preparation.
Use reported in a survey or inventory. This establishes neither benefit nor safety.
Read the sourceThe traditional uses described are not clinical proof of effectiveness. Evidence for one preparation cannot automatically be applied to another.
Precautions before use
BEFORE ANY USE
Precautions & contraindications.
This guidance does not cover every individual situation. Missing information is not a guarantee of safety.
The following warnings do not constitute a complete review of interactions or contraindications. An unstudied combination cannot be considered compatible.
Contraindications & precautions
- Historical record only. Do not prepare or consume this plant based on this notice.
- A complete clinical contraindication assessment is not available in the references used here. Missing information is not evidence of safety.
Medicine interactions
- Interactions have not been systematically assessed in this historical inventory. Compatibility with medicines cannot be established.
“Reported” does not prove causality; “possible” may reflect indirect evidence. “None reported” means none in the cited source, not that all combinations have been studied. Do not stop a prescribed treatment based on this profile.
Adverse effects
- The historical inventory does not provide a complete adverse-event assessment.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established here. No medicinal use is recommended.
Children & adolescents
No paediatric preparation or dose is validated by this notice. Do not extrapolate historical adult uses to children.
If symptoms persist, worsen or are unusual, consult a healthcare professional. In an emergency, contact the emergency services.
Sources & last review
CHECKING REFERENCES
Sources for this profile.
- SEPASAL, use group 12149 — bibliographic detail unavailable for this entryAccessed on 09/10/2026
- GBIF — Apocynum cannabinum L.Accessed on 09/10/2026