Quick summary

Restharrow (Ononis spinosa) is a woody plant species traditionally used in various folk medicine systems across the Southern European Alps. It has historical applications related to respiratory, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, dermatological, metabolic, cardiovascular, and urogenital disorders. More recently, clinical evidence has specifically investigated its combined use in medical expulsive therapy for distal ureteral stones.

What is it

Ononis spinosa, commonly known as Restharrow, is a perennial woody plant native to parts of Southern Europe. It belongs to the Fabaceae family and grows typically in alpine and subalpine environments. This herb has a long history of use in traditional medicine in the regions where it is found.

Traditional uses

Traditional and ethnobotanical evidence indicates that Ononis spinosa has been used for a variety of health complaints including:

  • Respiratory disorders
  • Musculoskeletal pain and inflammation
  • Gastrointestinal issues
  • Dermatological conditions
  • Metabolic and cardiovascular support
  • Urogenital complaints

Active compounds

Phytochemical analyses have revealed that Restharrow contains diverse bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. These compounds are thought to contribute to its broadly observed anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties in preclinical studies.

Potential benefits with evidence levels

  • Medical expulsive therapy for distal ureteral stones (Human clinical evidence): A 2024 retrospective cohort study involving patients with renal colic found that adding a combination of boldine, Phyllanthus niruri, and Ononis spinosa to tamsulosin treatment increased stone expulsion rates and shortened expulsion time compared to tamsulosin alone. The combination also reduced analgesic requirements with a comparable safety profile.
  • Traditional ethnopharmacological uses (Traditional use and ethnobotanical evidence): Ononis spinosa has longstanding traditional use addressing respiratory, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, dermatological, metabolic, cardiovascular, and urogenital complaints.
  • General bioactivities (anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant) (Preclinical evidence): In vitro and in vivo studies support these activities attributed to its phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. However, clinical translation remains limited due to insufficient pharmacokinetic and toxicological data.

Side effects

Reported adverse effects in the available human study were generally mild and included headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, postural hypotension, backache, and runny nose. These effects were similar in frequency and intensity to control groups receiving standard treatment.

Drug interactions

No specific drug interaction data for Ononis spinosa are currently available. Potential interactions remain unknown and further investigation is needed.

Who should avoid it

There are no well-defined contraindications for Restharrow in the available literature. Due to insufficient safety data, especially in vulnerable populations, caution is advised. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid use until more information on safety becomes available.

Evidence limitations

  • Limited direct clinical trials; the primary human evidence comes from one combined herbal preparation study including Ononis spinosa alongside other herbs and pharmaceuticals.
  • Lack of randomized controlled trials assessing Restharrow alone.
  • Safety, drug interaction, and contraindication information from robust clinical studies is lacking.
  • Most data are preclinical; clinical translation is restricted by limited pharmacokinetic and toxicological information.
  • Traditional uses are documented but lack rigorous clinical validation.

References

Last reviewed

June 2024

Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information provided about Restharrow (Ononis spinosa) is based on current scientific research and traditional uses but should not be used as a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new herbal supplements, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have pre-existing health conditions, or are taking other medications.