Ononidis radix

Ononidis radix, also known as Hauhechel root, is a drug that has been monographed by several commissions (Commission E, ESCOP) and is used in herbal medicinal products for the preventive treatment (flushing therapy) of inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract. The drug consists of whole or cut, dried roots of the plant.

Ononidis Radix, according to Ph.Eur. consists of the whole or cut, dried root of Ononis spinosa L. the thorny hay plant.

HMPC monograph: Traditional-use: increase urine volume, irrigation of the urinary tract, for mild urinary tract complaints
ESCOP monograph: irrigation of the urinary tract in inflammatory diseases, kidney gravel, urinary tract infections
Commission E-monograph: irrigation in inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract, for the prevention and treatment of kidney gravel.

Empirical medicine: diuretic, for stone disease, gout and rheumatic complaints.

Ononidis radix contains isoflavonoids (ononin), flavonoids, small amounts of essential oil, triterpenes, including alpha-onocerin, which has an acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting effect, and tannins.

The hypocrite root has diuretic effects.

Ononidis radix is used for the preventive treatment of renal gravel and as a flushing therapy for inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract.

The usual daily dose is between 6 and 12 g and is used for infusions or other galenic preparations for ingestion.

There are no known adverse effects.

In case of existing edema due to impaired cardiac and renal activity should refrain from taking. Allergy to any of the ingredients, children under 12 years, no data for lactation and pregnancy.

Brew 2 heaped teaspoons of Hauhechel root with 150 ml boiling water and leave to rest for about 30 minutes. Then strain through a tea strainer. Unless otherwise prescribed, drink 1 cup 2 to 3 times a day between meals.

As a monopreparation e.g. ^{Ardeynephron®}, ^Carito® mono capsules

During a flushing therapy, care must be taken to ensure a sufficient fluid intake of at least 2 l/day.

1. Schilcher H (2016) Leitfaden Phytotherapie, Urban & Fischer Verlag, Munich, p. 155 f.
2. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/hauhechel.php
3. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-ononis-spinosa-l-radix_en.pdf
4. Blaschek W (2015) Wichtl tea drugs and phytopharmaceuticals. A handbook for practice. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Munich. S 460-462
5. Daruházi AE et al. (2008) Utility of cyclodextrins in the formulation of genistein part 1. Preparation and physicochemical properties of genistein complexes with native cyclodextrins. J Pharm Biomed Anal 48:636-640.
6. Hilp K et al.(1975) Constituents from Ononis spinosa L. 1. Volatile Oil of the radix Ononidis. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 308:429-433.
7. Joksić G et al.(2003) Antibacterial medicinal plants Equiseti herba and Ononidis radix modulate micronucleus formation in human lymphocytes in vitro. J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol 22:41-48.
8. Orhan I et al.(2003) Alpha-onocerin: an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor from Lycopodium clavatum. Planta Med 69(3):265-267.
9. Rowan MG et al,(1971) The enzymic conversion of squalene, 2(3),22(23)-diepoxide to alpha-onocerin by a cell-free extract of Ononis spinosa.FEBS Lett 12:229-232.