Wise Mind Herbs

The information on this page has been prepared with reference to published scientific literature, not by a medically qualified expert. It is not medical advice. Any decision to use a supplement or herb-based product is your responsibility. Consult a suitably qualified medical professional, especially if you have underlying conditions. Remember, nothing is for everyone, and not everything sold is what it claims to be. Some things work for some people, some of the time.

Fat Hen - Chenopodium album

Fat hen (Chenopodium album L.) is a widely distributed wild edible plant belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. It is known by various common names including lamb's quarters, white goosefoot, melde, pigweed, and wild spinach. This plant should not be confused with Good King Henry (Chenopodium bonus-henricus, now reclassified as Blitum bonus-henricus), epazote (Dysphania ambrosioides, formerly Chenopodium ambrosioides), or quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), which are related but distinct species with different phytochemical profiles and therapeutic applications.

Image source and license: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ChenopodiumAlbum001.JPG.
Modified by Peter Jorgensen.

Phytochemical Composition

Fat hen contains numerous bioactive compounds including flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol), alkaloids, saponins, phenolic acids, oxalic acid, ascorbic acid, tocopherols, and essential minerals (calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron). The plant is particularly rich in proteins, dietary fiber, and carotenoids including β-carotene and lutein.

Therapeutic Applications Based on Scientific Evidence

Research on Chenopodium album has demonstrated several potential health benefits, though it's important to note that most studies have been conducted in vitro or in animal models, with limited clinical trials in humans.

• Anti-inflammatory properties: Extracts have shown significant anti-inflammatory activity comparable to indomethacin in rat models.
• Antioxidant effects: Polyphenol extracts demonstrate free radical scavenging abilities that may help combat oxidative stress.
• Antimicrobial activity: Various extracts have shown inhibitory effects against bacterial strains including E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa.
• Hepatoprotective effects: Ethanolic extracts showed protective effects against chemically-induced liver damage in rat models.
• Anti-diabetic potential: Several studies indicate possible blood glucose-lowering effects due to inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes.
• Analgesic properties: Methanolic extracts demonstrated pain-relieving effects in mouse models.

Conditions with Some Evidence of Benefit

• Type 2 diabetes (preliminary evidence from animal studies)
• Inflammatory conditions (based primarily on in vitro and animal studies)
• Liver disorders (limited to animal model studies)
• Microbial infections (based on in vitro antimicrobial testing)
• Pain management (preliminary evidence from animal models)

It should be emphasized that despite these promising findings, there are no conclusive human clinical trials that definitively establish C. album as an effective treatment for any specific medical condition. The evidence remains largely preclinical.

Recommended Dosages

There are no standardized or officially recommended dosages for C. album for medicinal purposes due to insufficient clinical data. Traditional uses typically involve:

• Fresh leaves: 30-50g daily as food
• Dried plant material: 2-5g as infusion
• Alcoholic extract (1:5): 2-4ml, three times daily

Standardization of active compounds has not been established for commercial preparations. The few experimental studies that demonstrated beneficial effects used varying concentrations:

• Anti-inflammatory effects: 200-400 mg/kg body weight of ethanolic extract in animal models.
• Hypoglycemic effects: 250-500 mg/kg of aqueous extract in experimental animal models.

No human clinical trials have established effective therapeutic dosages, which represents a significant knowledge gap in the research.

High-Dose Studies and Knowledge Gaps

No systematic studies have investigated doses above those mentioned in experimental research. This constitutes a major knowledge gap. The lack of dose-response relationship studies, maximum tolerated dose evaluations, and long-term safety assessments severely limits our understanding of the plant's therapeutic window. Without this information, recommendations for therapeutic use cannot be made with confidence.

Side Effects and Contraindications

While generally recognized as safe when consumed as a food in moderate amounts, several potential adverse effects warrant consideration:

• High oxalate content: May contribute to kidney stone formation in susceptible individuals
• Nitrate accumulation: Plants harvested from nitrogen-rich soils may concentrate nitrates, which can be harmful especially to infants
• Saponin content: May cause mild gastrointestinal distress in sensitive individuals
• Potential allergic reactions: Cross-reactivity with other Amaranthaceae family members
• Drug interactions: Theoretical potential for interactions with anticoagulants and antidiabetic medications, though not thoroughly investigated

Contraindications include pregnancy and lactation (due to insufficient safety data), kidney disorders (due to oxalate content), and known allergies to plants in the Amaranthaceae family.

Commercial Pharmaceutical Products

Currently, there are no approved pharmaceutical medications containing standardized extracts of Chenopodium album or synthesized homologues specifically derived from this plant. The plant is primarily used in traditional medicine systems and as a food source rather than in conventional pharmaceutical preparations. This represents another significant research and development gap.

Research Limitations and Future Directions

The research on C. album has several limitations that should be addressed in future studies:

• Lack of standardization: Phytochemical composition varies widely depending on growing conditions, harvest time, and extraction methods
• Limited clinical evidence: Most studies are preclinical (in vitro or animal models)
• Absence of pharmacokinetic data: Information on absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion is lacking
• Insufficient safety evaluations: Long-term safety has not been adequately assessed

Conclusion

While Chenopodium album shows promise for several therapeutic applications based on its phytochemical profile and preliminary research, the current evidence is insufficient to recommend it for specific medical conditions. Most findings remain at the preclinical stage, with significant gaps in human trials, standardization, dosing protocols, and safety assessments. Future research should focus on well-designed clinical trials, standardization of extracts, and comprehensive safety evaluations to better understand its potential in modern healthcare applications.

References

Chamkhi, I., Charfi, S., El Hachlafi, N., Mechchate, H., Guaouguaou, F. E., El Omari, N., ... & Bouyahya, A. (2022). Genetic diversity, antimicrobial, nutritional, and phytochemical properties of Chenopodium album: A comprehensive review. Food Research International, 154, 110979.

Jain, N. K., & Singhai, A. K. (2012). Hepatoprotective activity of Chenopodium album Linn: in vitro and in vivo studies. Journal of experimental and integrative medicine, 2(4), 331-336.

Kant, S. (2018). Pharmacological evaluation of antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activity of Chenopodium album root extract in male Wistar albino rat models. International Journal of Green Pharmacy (IJGP), 12(02).

Karwani, G., & Sisodia, S. S. (2015). Hepatoprotective activity of Chenopodium album Linn. in ethanol induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, 8(6), 669.

Singh, S., Singh, A., Hallan, S. S., Brangule, A., Kumar, B., & Bhatia, R. (2023). A compiled update on nutrition, phytochemicals, processing effects, analytical testing and health effects of Chenopodium album: A non-conventional edible plant (NCEP). Molecules, 28(13), 4902. Showkat, S., & Kumar, T. S. (2024). Exploring the anticandidal potential: Evaluating leaf extract efficacy and GC–MS metabolite profiling of Chenopodium album var. album L. South African Journal of Botany, 173, 347-354.