Identity & origin
BOTANICAL IDENTITY
The right name is the first step.
A biennial or perennial native to northern and western Europe.
Also known as: Cochlearia officinalis
The leaf appears in the inventory. A historical common name does not specify a dose or preparation. A photograph alone cannot certify a plant 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.
Documented inventory entry
ANSM List A records: leaf. It inventories traditional use without specifying an indication, dose or clinical benefit here.
The references do not establish a benefit. Lack of evidence is not assurance of safety.
Read the sourceResearch context
Plant material analysed in the laboratory. Scurvygrass notably contains cochlearine. Detecting a molecule establishes neither clinical benefit nor toxicity equivalent to jimsonweed.
Laboratory or animal observation. A human benefit cannot be inferred from this finding alone.
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.
Contraindications & precautions
- Insufficient dataThis targeted audit does not provide a comprehensive contraindication review; this does not mean contraindications are absent.
Medicine interactions
- Insufficient dataThis dossier cannot establish compatibility with medication. A limited study does not replace an interaction review of the exact product.
Other retained warnings · review incomplete
These existing warnings remain relevant to consult. Their exhaustive reassessment is outside this targeted review.
Restrictions and precautions
- Avoid if allergic to this plant. The sources for this profile do not provide a complete contraindication assessment.
Medicine interactions
- Interactions are not assessed in this profile: have any combination with medication checked.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children
Safety information is insufficient to recommend medicinal use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
This profile establishes no paediatric preparation or dose.
“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 selected sources do not establish the frequency of adverse effects.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Safety information is insufficient to recommend medicinal use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Children & adolescents
This profile establishes no paediatric preparation or dose.
If symptoms persist, worsen or are unusual, consult a healthcare professional. In an emergency, contact the emergency services.
Available evidence
EXPLORE THE EVIDENCE
The available evidence.
The research describes chemical composition, not a treatment.
Constituents to know.
Their presence and quantity depend on the plant part and preparation.
- Cochlearine
- Constituent studied in this publication’s preparation.Read the reference
What was measured
Nortropane alkaloids were detected through phytochemical analysis.
Laboratory or animal observation. A human benefit cannot be inferred from this finding alone.
Read the referenceLimitations to keep in mind.
This finding concerns the study preparation; it provides no home-use instructions.
Studies, findings & limitations
THE RESEARCH
What the research shows.
A laboratory or animal result alone does not demonstrate a benefit in humans. Each result must be read alongside the preparation studied and its limitations.
Brock et al. — Brassicaceae contain nortropane alkaloids (2006)
Laboratory or animal observation. A human benefit cannot be inferred from this finding alone.
- Type of research
- Analyses of several Cochlearia species.
- Preparation concerned
- Plant material analysed in the laboratory.
- Observed results
- Scurvygrass notably contains cochlearine.
- Limitations to consider
- Detecting a molecule establishes neither clinical benefit nor toxicity equivalent to jimsonweed.
What can we take from this?
Detecting a molecule establishes neither clinical benefit nor toxicity equivalent to jimsonweed.
Documentary review dated 09/10/2026. The references remain available to check the context.
Sources & last review
CHECKING REFERENCES
Sources for this profile.
- ANSM — Liste A, janvier 2026, page 12Accessed on 09/10/2026
- Kew POWO / MPNS — Cochlearia officinalisAccessed on 09/10/2026
- Brock et al. (2006). Brassicaceae contain nortropane alkaloids.Accessed on 09/10/2026
Image: Chase Mathey · CC BY 4.0. View the original image and its licence. Image resized and converted to WebP.