Figwort

Figwort is a flowering plant found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Most species are found in Asia and a few species grow in Europe and North America. Figwort has been used as a diuretic, pain reliever, mild laxative, and for skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.

figwort, common figwort, carpenter’s square, scrofula plant

Scrophularia nodosa

Oral forms of figwort include chewables (e.g. gummies, tablets), capsules, strips, powders, or liquids. The dose is measured in drops, teaspoons, or tablespoons.

The aerial parts, which are the above-ground parts of plant, are used in preparing oral supplements. The dose is usually 0.2 g to 8 g of dried aerial parts per day. It is taken as an infusion, fluid extract, or tincture.

The following doses and methods of preparation of figwort have been used:

• infusion: prepared with 2 g to 8 g dried aerial parts per day
• fluid extract:
• 1 g to 2 g dried equivalent (1:1, 1 mL to 2 mL), taken 3 times a day
• 2 g to 8 g dried equivalent (1:1, 25% ethanol, 2  mL to 8 mL) per day
• o 1.8 g to 3.6 g dried equivalent (1:1, 1.8 mL to 3.6 mL [30 to 60 drops]) per day
• tincture:
• 0.4 g to 0.8 g dried equivalent (1:5, 40% ethanol, 2 mL to 4 mL), taken 3 times a day
• 0.2 g to 0.4 g dried equivalent (1:10, 45% ethanol, 2 mL to 4 mL) per day
• 0.3 g to 1.2 g dried equivalent (1:2, 76% ethanol, 0.6 mL to 2.4 mL, 10 to 40 drops) per day

Figwort can also be used topically (applied to the skin), although there is no reliable dosage information.

Your health care provider may have recommended using this product in other ways. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.

Figwort has been used as:

• a diuretic (for occasional use only)
• a mild laxative
• a pain reliever
• to relieve symptoms of chronic skin diseases, eczema, psoriasis, and itchiness

There is insufficient evidence to show that figwort is effective for any of the above cases.

Your health care provider may have recommended this product for other conditions. Contact a health care provider if you have any questions with this product.

A thorough investigation of the safety of using figwort has not been conducted.

Figwort taken orally can interact with some medications, such as diuretics (e.g., furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) and lithium.

Contact a doctor prior to use of figwort if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have heart disease or a heart rhythm problem called ventricular tachycardia. Do not use figwort if you are allergic to it or to any plants from the Scrophulariaceae family.

If you have diabetes, check with your doctor before using figwort. Figwort may affect blood sugar control, so you may need to check your blood sugar more often.

Talk to your health care provider if your symptoms persist, worsen, or if you have any type of unexpected reaction to figwort.

Before taking any new medications, including natural health products, speak to your physician, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Tell your health care provider about any natural health products you may be taking.

1. Figwort (monograph).  Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database.   
2. Health Canada.  Licensed Natural Health Products Database.  Figwort. http://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/monoReq.do?id=87