Phytotherapy

Burnet saxifrage

Pimpinella saxifraga

Mechanism

The root of the lesser burnet saxifrage (Pimpinella saxifraga) contains saponins, essential oil (incl. pinenes) and mucilage. Saponins are associated with an expectorant (mucus-loosening) action, traditionally for irritated states of the upper airways and cough. Robust equine endpoint studies are lacking; its use is empirical and extrapolated from human phytotherapy.

Cautions

· Essential oil — keep dosing moderate, caution in stomach-sensitive horses
· Use sparingly during pregnancy (essential-oil/saponin-containing, equine data lacking)
· Photosensitisation from Apiaceae constituents cannot be ruled out — observe under sun exposure
· With persistent cough, clarify airway diagnostics (equine asthma)

Sources

Tabanca et al. (J Essent Oil Res 2021)Review Pimpinella-Arten — Phytochemie und traditionelle Anwendung (Atemwege)

ESCOP/Kommission E Pimpinellae radixBibernellwurzel — traditionelle expektorierende Anwendung

Equiterna Score

51/100

limited

Science4.5/10

Practical experience6/10

Safety5/10

Overall score scale

high overall75–100solid55–74limited0–54

How the Equiterna Score is built

The Equiterna Score combines three dimensions into a value of 0-100: science (40%), practical experience (30%) and safety (30%). It is transparently derived from evidence level, attributed sources (PubMed/journals), legal classification and cautions. The FEI doping status is shown separately as a competition-law note and does not enter the score. Commissions and vendor relationships have no influence on the score. In addition, the editorial safety rating caps the result: it limits the safety dimension and the overall tier (orange: at most solid). For entries rated red, no score is calculated at all. The rating never raises anything — a green rating does not lift a calculated value.

An editorial assessment of the evidence and safety situation — not a healing claim and not an individual recommendation. It does not replace veterinary advice.

Dosageapprox. 10–20 g dried root/animal/day (large horse), lower in herbal mixtures

AMG statusComplementary feed

FEI statusNot listed

SafetyIncreased caution

Evidenceemerging

Frequently asked questions

Is Burnet saxifrage a feed or a veterinary medicine for horses?

Equiterna classes Burnet saxifrage as “Complementary feed”. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009.

Is Burnet saxifrage allowed at FEI competitions?

In the profile, Burnet saxifrage is listed with the FEI status “Not listed”. The current FEI list is authoritative, so please check its latest version.

Which dosage do the sources give for Burnet saxifrage?

Stated in the profile: approx. 10–20 g dried root/animal/day (large horse), lower in herbal mixtures. This is information from the literature, not an instruction for an individual horse.

Which sources are there for Burnet saxifrage?

The profile cites: Tabanca et al. (J Essent Oil Res 2021) and ESCOP/Kommission E Pimpinellae radix.

Usage note

This content is for information and education. It does not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment. If your horse shows signs of illness, consult a veterinarian.

“Nothing forced can ever be beautiful.”

Xenophon · On Horsemanship (c. 365 BC)

Equiterna is an intermediary platform for equine knowledge, marketplace and tools — not a veterinary-medicines dealer, veterinary practice or pharmacy. Compound information is source-attributed (PubMed, specialist journals, NRC/GfE, EU regulations) and free of healing claims. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009, FEI Prohibited Substances List, HWG.

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