Asteraceae
Liferoot
Senecio aureus
✗ High Risk
Avoid in Pregnancy
Native to: Eastern North America
Also known as: Golden Groundsel, Squaw Weed, False Valerian, Life Root
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Parts Used
RootHerb
Therapeutic Uses
Historically: delayed menstruation, menopausal symptoms. Largely DISCONTINUED due to hepatotoxicity from pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Historically important but now largely replaced by safer herbs.
Herbal Actions
Uterine tonic (emmenagogue), nervous system tonic, expectorant
Active Constituents
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (senecionine, retrorsine, integerrimine), seneciphylline, flavonoids, tannins
Preparation Methods
🏺 Tincture
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | NOT RECOMMENDED — hepatotoxic PA content |
| Tincture | AVOID — safer alternatives available |
| Notes | AVOID INTERNAL USE — pyrrolizidine alkaloids cause hepatic veno-occlusive disease. Replaced by blue cohosh, vitex, and black cohosh for gynecological conditions. Historical documentation only. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✗ High Risk
Pregnancy
Avoid in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
None known
Contraindications: DO NOT USE INTERNALLY — hepatotoxic. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids cause progressive irreversible liver damage.
Side Effects: Hepatic veno-occlusive disease. Progressive liver failure. Death. Not recommended for any internal therapeutic use.