Phototoxicity. Plants that produce adverse reactions on the skin

PHOTOTOXIC PLANTS

Herbal remedies that increase photosensibility

People must be cautious exposing to the sun when taking certain herbal remedies, such as St. John’s wort. They are able to produce photosensitization (the skin becomes more sensitive to the sunlight effects) Therefore, all these products may be responsible for the appearance of brown spots, redness and even burns. Other plants contain principles that can attain the main results when applied on the skin.

Gardeners should also take into account that some plants manipulation and later exposure to sun can produce similar results. So, they should use gardening gloves and protect their body with suitable garments if they need to expose to sun after manipulating these type of plants.

Among the main herbs or plants that can potentially cause phototoxicity we have the following:

Main phototoxic plant list

SpeciesPhototoxic componentPhototoxic partsPossible phototoxic cause
Ammi majus ( Bishop’s Weed)AngelicinBergapten

Pimpellinin

Furocoumarin

Methoxy-Psoralen

SeedsInternal use seeds
Anethum graveolens (Dill)BergaptenPlantFresh plant on the skin
Angelica archangelica (Angelica)AngelicinBergapten

Pimpellinin

Psoralen

Sphondin

Seeds, plantFresh plant on the skin
Angelica dahurica (Bai Zhi)PsoralenRoot, plantFresh plant on the skin
Apium graveolens (Celery)AngelicinBergapten

Methoxy-Psoralen

Psoralen

PlantFresh plant on the skin
Banisteriopsis caapi (Ayahuasca)HarmalineSemillasSeeds preparation for ayahuasca
Casimiroa edulis (White sapote)BergaptenDictamnine

Skimmianine

BarkContact with the plant
Cinchona spp (Quinina)QuinineBarkDecoctions of rhyzome, contact with the bark
Citrus aurantiifolia (Lime)BergaptenFruitFruit contact or eating
Citrus aurantium (Bitter orange)BergaptenFruitFruit contact or eating
Citrus limon (Lemon)BergaptenEssential oilEssential oil on the skin
Coriandrum sativum (Coriander)PsoralenAngelicin

Bergapten

PlantFresh plant on the skin
Curcuma longa (Indian Saffron)CurcuminRhyzomeCapsules of curcumin
Curcuma xanthorrhiza (Javan Turmeric)CurcuminRhyzomeCapsules of curcumin
Curcuma zedoaria (Shoti)CurcuminRhyzomeCapsules of curcumin
Dictamnus albus (Burning Bush)BergaptenPsoralen

Dictamnine

Skimmianine

RootRoot decoctions
Ficus carica (Fig tree)PsoralenBergapten

Angelicin

PlantContact of the juice on the skin
Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel)BergaptenPsoralen

Methoxy-Psoralen

FruitEssential oil on the skin
Glehnia littoralis (Bei Sha Shen)BergaptenPsoralenRhyzomeDecoctions of rhyzome
Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)BergaptenRamasEating or chewing licorice
Heracleum laciniatum (Laciniate)AngelicinBergapten

Pimpellinin

Sphondin

PlantFresh plant on the skin
Hydrastis canadensis (Goldenseal)BerberastineBerberineRhyzomeCapsules or decoctions of rhyzome
Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort)HypericinPlantEssential oil on the skin. Internal preparations of the plant
Levisticum officinale (Lovage)BergaptenPsoralen

Methoxy-Psoralen

PlantFresh plant on the skin
Limonia acidissima (Elephant Apple)PsoralenBergaptenPlantFresh plant on the skin
Passiflora incarnata (Mayapple)HarmalinePlantContact with the plant
Peganum harmala (Harmala)HarmalineSemillasSeeds preparation for ayahuasca or other
Petroselinum crispum (Parsley)BergaptenPsoralen

Methoxy-Psoralen

Plant, seedFresh plant or essential on the skin
Pimpinella anisum (Anise)Bergapten,Plant, seedFresh plant or essential on the skin
Ruta graveolens (Rue)BergaptenPsoralen

Dictamnine

Skimmianine

PlantFresh plant on the skin
Skimmia arborescens (Skimmia)BergaptenSkimmianineLeavesContact with the plant
Skimmia japonica (Japanese Skimmia)DictamnineSkimmianineLeavesContact with the plant
Zanthoxylum alatum (Indian Prickly Ash)BerberineDictamnine

Skimmianine

BarkContact with the plant
Zanthoxylum americanum (Northern Prickly Ash)BerberineDictamnine

Skimmianine

BarkContact with the plant
Zanthoxylum clava-herculis (Hercules’ club)Berberine
BarkContact with the plant
Zingiber officinale (Ginger)CurcuminRhizomeCapsules or decoctions of Rhizome

punto rojo More information about sunburns and its natural treatment.

This article was endorsed by Vicente Martínez Centelles - Founder of the web and director. Teacher of natural sciences, expert in plants, natural remedies and botanical photography.
Editorial
Written by Editorial Botanical-online team in charge of content writing

21 February, 2022

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