Bindweed

Botanical

What is it

Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) is a perennial vine with white-pink flowers, widely regarded as an agricultural weed. Its leaves have been studied for proteoglycan content with possible antiangiogenic activity.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Cancer or angiogenesis-related conditions

Mixed Evidence

Small clinical studies of bindweed proteoglycan extracts have suggested possible activity, but evidence is preliminary and not adequate to support self-use.

How it works

Bindweed leaves contain proteoglycan mixtures (sometimes marketed as PGM or specific trade names) that have shown antiangiogenic activity (suppression of new blood vessel growth) in laboratory and small clinical studies. The proposed mechanism is interference with angiogenesis pathways relevant to tumor and fibrosis biology. Clinical research on bindweed proteoglycans has produced a small body of mixed early-phase results in cancer and other conditions. The herb is not approved as a cancer therapy, and human evidence is limited.

Dosage

There is no established dose. Studied proteoglycan products vary substantially; some clinical work has used a few hundred milligrams of standardized extract daily. Self-administration is not advised.

When and how to take it

Not for self-use. Clinical protocols specify their own dosing.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Standardized bindweed proteoglycan extract

Used in some specialty oncology-adjacent supplements.

Proteoglycans are large molecules; absorption is uncertain.

Safety

Field bindweed contains alkaloids (notably pseudotropine and related compounds) that can cause GI symptoms at higher doses. Bindweed has a long history of use as a mild laxative in folk medicine, with cramping and diarrhea as expected effects.

Who should be cautious

Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to lack of safety data and historical use as a laxative. People with cancer should not self-treat with bindweed and should discuss any supplement with their oncologist.

Interactions

Theoretical interactions with anticoagulants, angiogenesis-related medications, and chemotherapy regimens based on the proposed mechanism. Specific clinical interaction data are sparse.

Frequently asked questions

Is bindweed a cancer treatment?⌄

No. It is not approved as a cancer therapy. Some preliminary research has explored proteoglycan extracts, but evidence does not support replacing established treatments.

Is field bindweed safe?⌄

It contains alkaloids that can cause GI symptoms. Folk use as a mild laxative has expected cramping and diarrhea. Long-term safety is not established.

References

Bindweed on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Bindweed on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Bindweed (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Bindweed with Pilora

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.