100 grams of dried Ageratum conyzoides (billygoat weed)

Ageratum conyzoides Dried Botanical, 100 g: Not for Consumption

What is this? The current catalog describes 100 g of dried Ageratum conyzoides, also called billygoat weed, tropical whiteweed or mentrasto. It is offered only as non-ingestible botanical reference material. This is not a tea ingredient, edible herb, dietary supplement, cosmetic or medicine. The listed weight and dried form are catalog information; physical packaging, exact plant-part composition, botanical authentication and analytical testing of the present lot have not been independently verified here.

Safety first: do not brew or consume this botanical

Do not drink, eat, brew, smoke or prepare home remedies from this material. Scientific studies of A. conyzoides have identified pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), including compounds associated with liver toxicity. Research has also detected PAs in aqueous extracts prepared from this species, so making a hot-water infusion must not be assumed to remove the concern. No safe ingestion amount has been established for this product, and its current lot has no independently verified PA analysis.

Store this item separately from foods, teas and medicines. Keep away from children and pets. Do not use it during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for any internal or external therapeutic application. If someone has swallowed it or suspects an exposure, contact a qualified medical professional or local poison-control service promptly rather than following an internet dose suggestion.

Research basis: Bosi and colleagues (2013) detected several PAs in water-based preparations of Ageratum conyzoides, including lycopsamine-related compounds. These experiments were not performed on the seller's retail batch and cannot establish its concentration. Read the open-access tea-extract analysis.

Botanical identity and background

Ageratum conyzoides L. belongs to the Asteraceae (daisy) family. It is an aromatic annual or short-lived subshrub with small clustered flower heads. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew recognizes the species and lists Mexico as its native range, with a broad introduced distribution elsewhere. It appears in ethnobotanical accounts, but historical plant use does not demonstrate that dried material can be consumed safely or used to treat disease.

“Goatweed” and “chickweed” are ambiguous common names used for unrelated plants. A reliable botanical comparison should use the scientific name. Reference photographs and descriptions do not authenticate an individual shipment.

Listing facts and important limitations

Why a traditional remedy reference is not a serving guide

An association with traditional medicine is not proof of safe use. In addition to the 2013 analysis of infusions, a 2014 laboratory and animal toxicity study of a hydroalcoholic A. conyzoides leaf extract reported adverse liver, kidney and blood-related findings under the experimental conditions. Animal findings are not proof of risk at a particular dose of this packet, and they cannot be converted into a safe human dose. No consumption, topical treatment or medicinal preparation is recommended.

Safe separation and storage of non-food reference material

Retain a clear identification label with the full scientific name and NOT FOR CONSUMPTION. Keep material in a sealed container, away from food preparation surfaces, spices, herbal drinks, medicines, children and pets. Protect from moisture and direct heat; do not infer a guaranteed shelf life from generic storage advice. Avoid creating airborne dust when handling fragments and wash hands afterward.

Frequently asked questions

Is this safe to drink as herbal tea?

No. Do not prepare it as tea. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids have been found in water extracts from this species. This listing does not provide a safe brewing recipe or an acceptable drinking amount.

What if I only drink it occasionally?

Occasional consumption is not established as safe. This is a non-food botanical listing and should not be ingested.

Is this a medicine or supplement?

No. It is listed only as dried reference material, with no claim of a medicinal or nutritional benefit.

Is the 100 g weight independently confirmed for my order?

The title lists 100 g. This botanical guide cannot verify the packaged net weight, condition, exact plant parts or certification of a particular shipment.

Has the exact material been tested for pyrrolizidine alkaloids?

No batch-specific test result has been provided for this listing. Published species-level findings cannot be used to assign a concentration or safety clearance to an untested commercial batch.

Scientific references

• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Ageratum conyzoides, scientific name and range.
• Bosi et al. (2013), pyrrolizidine alkaloids in medicinal tea of Ageratum conyzoides, experimental PA detection.
• Diallo et al. (2014), toxicological evaluation of Ageratum conyzoides leaf extract, preclinical safety findings.

Scientific literature does not certify the identity, chemical content, physical weight, safety or regulatory suitability of this particular retail lot.