© Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen · Public domain · Commons
Rhatany
Ratanhia · (Krameria lappacea)
Rhatany family (Krameriaceae)
Description
Krameria lappacea (synonym: Krameria triandra) is a low woody shrub of the semi-arid Andean region of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, northern Chile and north-western Argentina. It grows about 20 to 100 cm tall, bears small grey silky leaves and reddish-purple flowers, and is hemiparasitic, tapping neighbouring host plants through its roots. The medicinal part is the root (Ratanhiae radix): a thick main root with a red-brown, tannin-rich bark. On storage it develops the red pigment 'rhatany red' of the phlobaphene group. Owing to its high content of catechin tannins (proanthocyanidins) the root is strongly astringent and is traditionally used for minor inflammation of the mucosa of the mouth and throat.
External use only!
This plant must NOT be taken internally. Use only as compress, salve, or bath.
Traditionally used as an astringent mouthwash, gargle or gum application for minor inflammation of the mucosa of the mouth and throat, such as gum inflammation (gingivitis), inflammation of the oral mucosa (stomatitis) and inflammation of the throat (pharyngitis). The tannins contract the mucosa and form a protective layer.
Preparation & dosage
For a mouthwash add 5 to 10 drops of rhatany tincture to a glass of lukewarm water and rinse or gargle 2 to 3 times a day; spit out after rinsing, do not swallow. Alternatively dab the undiluted tincture onto inflamed gums with a cotton bud. A decoction of about 1 g of finely cut root in water may also be used as a rinse.
- Doses per day
- 3×
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 12 years — For adolescents from 12 years and adults. There are insufficient data for children under 12 years; use is not recommended.
⚠ External use only
For local use in the mouth and throat only; do not swallow in larger amounts. Rarely, allergic reactions of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa (hypersensitivity) have been reported - stop use if irritation, swelling or rash occurs. Tannins may reduce the absorption of substances taken at the same time (e.g. medicines, alkaloids, iron preparations), so keep a time gap. There are not enough data for pregnant or breastfeeding women or young children.
There are insufficient data on use during pregnancy; as a precaution local use should be avoided or only after medical advice.
There are insufficient data on use during breastfeeding; as a precaution avoid or use only after medical advice.
There are insufficient data for children under 12 years; use is not recommended.
Drug interactions
Oral alkaloids, iron preparations and other orally taken medicines
Tannins (proanthocyanidins) can bind alkaloids, iron and other substances and reduce their absorption when taken at the same time.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity (allergy) to Krameria/rhatany; allergic reactions of the mucosa have been reported.
Harvested part: Root
- Catechin tannins (proanthocyanidins, condensed tannins)TanninContent: 10-20%Root
Main active group; responsible for the astringent (contracting) effect on the mucosa.
- Ratanhiarot (rhatany red, phlobaphenes)TanninRoot
Red pigment of the phlobaphene group formed on storage by condensation of the tannins.
- Ratanhiaphenols I, II and III (2-aryl-benzofuran lignans)Phenolic acidRoot
Anti-inflammatory lignan derivatives (2-aryl-benzofurans) that inhibit the formation of pro-inflammatory mediators.
- (+)-ConocarpanPhenolic acidContent: 0.49-0.71%Root
Neolignan with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity.
- N-MethyltyrosineOtherRoot
An amine present in the root (an alkaloid-like accompanying compound).
- StarchOtherRoot
Storage carbohydrate of the root.
- [1]MonographEMA/HMPC - European Union herbal monographs and list entries (Ratanhiae radix, Krameria lappacea / K. triandra, traditional use for minor inflammation of the mouth and throat)(accessed: 2026-07-02)
- [2]MonographESCOP Monograph: Ratanhiae radix (Rhatany Root)(accessed: 2026-07-02)
- [3]MonographQuantitative analysis of anti-inflammatory lignan derivatives in Ratanhiae radix and its tincture by HPLC-PDA and HPLC-MS (Baumgartner et al., PMC3157606)(accessed: 2026-07-02)
- [4]WikipediaRatanhia - Wikipedia (Deutsch)(accessed: 2026-07-02)
- [5]WikipediaKrameria lappacea - Wikipedia (English)(accessed: 2026-07-02)
- [7]CommonsKrameria lappacea - Koehler's Medizinal-Pflanzen (plate 84) - Wikimedia Commons(accessed: 2026-07-02)
- [6]WikidataKrameria lappacea (Q1786412) - Wikidata(accessed: 2026-07-02)
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