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Pulsatilla vulgaris
Toxic🐾Gewöhnliche Kuhschelle · (Pulsatilla vulgaris)
Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae)
Description
With its violet, silky-haired bell-shaped flowers, the pasqueflower (Ranunculaceae) is a protected herald of spring on dry chalk grassland. Fresh, the plant contains the strongly skin-irritant compound protoanemonin, which converts to the far less toxic anemonin on drying — only dried herb may therefore be used. The German Commission E has issued a positive monograph for Pulsatilla herb for colds and inflammation of the skin, mucous membranes and urinary tract; historically the plant was also used for menstrual complaints. In homeopathy, Pulsatilla is among the most frequently prescribed constitutional remedies, though no scientific evidence supports its efficacy. Direct skin contact with the fresh plant causes blistering and chemical burns. Due to its uterine-stimulating effect, any internal use is strictly contraindicated during pregnancy, as well as during breastfeeding and in children under 18 — except homeopathic high potencies from D6 upward.
External use only!
This plant must NOT be taken internally. Use only as compress, salve, or bath.
CONTRAINDICATED during pregnancy
Pulsatilla has a uterine-stimulating (uterotonic) effect and can trigger uterine contractions, promoting premature birth or miscarriage. Any internal use during pregnancy is strictly contraindicated.
CONTRAINDICATED during breastfeeding
Sufficient safety data during lactation are lacking; due to the known toxicity of protoanemonin and missing safety data, internal use during lactation is contraindicated.
CONTRAINDICATED for children
Internal use in children under 18 years contraindicated due to toxicity risk. Homoeopathic high potencies (D6+) are frequently used in paediatric homoeopathy but do not fall under this restriction.
Critical drug interactions with:
Uterustonisierende Mittel (Oxytocin, Prostaglandine)
In folk medicine, dried Pulsatilla herb was used as a bath additive for joint pain, rheumatism, and skin irritation. External application of dried preparations is less risky than internal, however direct contact with fresh plant sap must be strictly avoided due to protoanemonin-induced contact dermatitis.
Historical documentation only — do NOT use
These internal applications are historically documented. This plant is highly toxic — self-treatment can cause severe poisoning or death. For documentation only, explicitly NOT a recommendation.
The German Commission E issued a positive monograph for Pulsatilla herb for colds and inflammatory conditions of the skin and mucous membranes as well as diseases of the urogenital tract. Historically Pulsatilla was used particularly for dysmenorrhoea and irregular menstrual bleeding. In the dried state, the reactive protoanemonin has cyclised to anemonin and is considerably less toxic than in the fresh plant.
Homoeopathically, Pulsatilla pratensis/vulgaris is one of the most frequently prescribed remedies. The constitutional remedy is used in homoeopathy for changeable, mild, weeping mental states, menstrual complaints, stomach problems, and sinusitis. Potencies used: D4–D30, C30. Basis: homoeopathic principle of similars — scientific proof of efficacy is lacking.
In the folk medicine of Central Europe, dried Pulsatilla herb was used as a tincture for colds, cough, and catarrhal inflammation of the mucous membranes. The compound anemonin (formed from the precursor protoanemonin during drying) showed antibacterial and antifungal properties in early in-vitro studies.
Tea from dried Pulsatilla herb was used in folk medicine for menstrual cramps and absent menstruation. IMPORTANT: Prepare only from fully dried plant material — the fresh plant contains protoanemonin, which causes mucosal irritation and systemic poisoning. The folk use is historically documented but carries risks from incorrect preparation.
In the folk medicine of the 18th and 19th centuries, Pulsatilla was used as a sedative and antispasmodic for nervous agitation, sleep disorders, and migraine. The sedative effect was attributed to anemonin. Without standardised preparation, the poisoning risk was considerable.
In folk medicine, Pulsatilla was used for mild urinary tract infections and urogenital complaints — an aspect also mentioned in the Commission E monograph. The antimicrobial properties of anemonin formed the rational basis of this use.
⚠ External use only
TOXIC — FRESH PLANT IS HIGHLY IRRITANT AND TOXIC. Pulsatilla vulgaris contains protoanemonin (in the fresh plant), which causes severe irritation, blistering, and burns upon contact with skin and mucous membranes. With internal uptake of fresh plant parts: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, kidney irritation, convulsions possible. On drying and heating, protoanemonin reacts to anemonin (less toxic), which is why only dry plant material may be used. Homoeopathic high potencies (D6+) are generally considered safe. No self-medication with fresh plant material. In suspected poisoning, contact a poison control centre.
Pulsatilla has a uterine-stimulating (uterotonic) effect and can trigger uterine contractions, promoting premature birth or miscarriage. Any internal use during pregnancy is strictly contraindicated.
Sufficient safety data during lactation are lacking; due to the known toxicity of protoanemonin and missing safety data, internal use during lactation is contraindicated.
Internal use in children under 18 years contraindicated due to toxicity risk. Homoeopathic high potencies (D6+) are frequently used in paediatric homoeopathy but do not fall under this restriction.
Drug interactions
Antikoagulanzien (Marcumar, Warfarin, NOAKs)
Theoretical additive blood-thinning effect possible; clinical data lacking, caution with concurrent use.
Uterustonisierende Mittel (Oxytocin, Prostaglandine)
Additive uterotonic effect possible, as Pulsatilla itself stimulates uterine contractions. Strictly contraindicated in pregnancy.
Immunsuppressiva
Immunostimulating properties of Pulsatilla could theoretically interfere with immunosuppressants; clinical data are lacking.
Contraindications
- Pregnancy (uterotonic effect — risk of miscarriage)
- Lactation (missing safety data)
- Direct contact with fresh plant (protoanemonin causes contact dermatitis and mucosal burns)
- Known hypersensitivity to buttercup plants (Ranunculaceae)
- Kidney disease (protoanemonin metabolites irritate the kidneys)
- Children under 18 years (internal use, excluding homoeopathic high potencies D6+)
Harvested part: dried flowering herb
- Time of day:
- Use only dried material — never touch the fresh plant without protective gloves. Harvest in the morning in dry weather.
- Drying:
- IMPORTANT: Wear protective gloves and possibly respiratory protection when crushing fresh parts (protoanemonin vapour irritates mucous membranes). Dry material at 40–50 °C in a dryer or in a well-ventilated shaded spot until completely brittle — only then has protoanemonin been converted to anemonin. Label dried material as TOXIC.
- Storage:
- 12 months — Dry, dark, childproof. Clearly label as TOXIC — USE DRY ONLY.
- Time of day:
- Harvest flowers at full bloom in the morning — protective gloves mandatory. Pasque flower is a protected species in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland — commercial wild collection is prohibited.
- Drying:
- Lay flowers flat immediately and dry at max. 40 °C. Protoanemonin is also present in flowers — safety precautions must be strictly observed.
- Storage:
- 12 months — Dark and dry in labelled, sealed containers. Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- ProtoanemoninOtherWhole plant
Unstable, volatile lactone; primary toxin of the fresh plant. Potent mucosal irritant and contact dermatogen. Formed enzymatically from the precursor ranunculin when fresh plant parts are crushed. On drying and heating, dimerises to anemonin.
- RanunculinGlycosideWhole plant
Inactive precursor of protoanemonin; stable in intact plant cells. Only on tissue disruption (crushing, chewing) is protoanemonin released by plant glycosidases. Largely determines the toxicity potential of fresh plant parts.
- AnemoninOtherAerial parts
Stable dimer of protoanemonin; formed by drying and heat. Considerably less toxic than protoanemonin; early studies described sedative, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Basis for historical medicinal uses from dried herb.
- Saponine (Triterpensaponine)SaponinAerial parts
Triterpene glycosides; haemolytic at high concentrations; contribute to the irritant effect on mucous membranes.
- Flavonoide (Luteolin, Quercetin-Glykoside)FlavonoidAerial parts
Antioxidant flavonoids; non-toxic; pharmacological relevance in Pulsatilla is low compared to the protoanemonin system.
- Ätherisches ÖlEssential oilContent: < 0,1 %Flower
Traces of essential oil in flowers; contains inter alia terpenoid compounds. Not pharmacologically relevant; contributes to the characteristic scent.
- CarotinoideOtherFlower
Colour-giving carotenoids in the violet perianth segments (not classical yellow carotenoids). Primarily pigmentary significance; not relevant for toxicity or medicinal effect.
- Gerbstoffe (Tannine)TanninAerial parts
Condensed and hydrolysable tannins; astringent action on mucous membranes; partly responsible for the folk-medicinal use in inflammation.
- [1]MonographBlumenthal M. et al. (eds., 1998): The Complete German Commission E Monographs — Pulsatilla herb. American Botanical Council, Austin TX(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [4]BookPlants For A Future (PFAF): Pulsatilla vulgaris — Pasque Flower(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [2]WikipediaWikipedia DE: Gewöhnliche Küchenschelle (Pulsatilla vulgaris)(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [3]WikipediaWikipedia EN: Pulsatilla vulgaris — Pasque flower(accessed: 2026-05-24)