Germander
OTHER NAME(S): Chasse-Fièvre, Chêneau, Chenette, Germandrée Officinale, Germandrée Petit Chêne, Petit Chêne, Wall Germander, Wild Germander, Teucrium chamaedrys, Camedrio, Germandrée
Overview
Germander is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine.
Despite serious safety concerns, people take germander for stomach and intestinal issues, weight loss, fever, and oral hygiene, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use.
In manufacturing, germander is used as a flavoring in alcoholic beverages.
There isn't enough information to know how germander might work.
There isn't enough information to know how germander might work.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Gallbladder conditions.
- Fever.
- Gout.
- Stomach pain.
- Diarrhea.
- Weight loss.
- Use as a germ-killer (antiseptic).
- Use as a mouthwash.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of germander for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Germander is LIKELY UNSAFE. France has banned its sale. Canada does not allow germander to be included in products that are taken by mouth. The U.S. still allows germander to be used in small amounts as a flavoring agent in alcoholic beverages.
The safety concern is that germander has caused several cases of liver disease (hepatitis) and death.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Germander is LIKELY UNSAFE. France has banned its sale. Canada does not allow germander to be included in products that are taken by mouth. The U.S. still allows germander to be used in small amounts as a flavoring agent in alcoholic beverages.
The safety concern is that germander has caused several cases of liver disease (hepatitis) and death.
Germander shouldn't be used by anyone. Some people may be at even higher risk of side effects.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Germander is LIKELY UNSAFE to take as medicine. If you take it while pregnant or breast-feeding, you will endanger yourself as well as your baby.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Germander overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of germander depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for germander. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Ellenhorn MJ, et al. Ellenhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnoses and Treatment of Human Poisoning. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1997.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Bruneton J. Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants. Paris: Lavoisier Publishing, 1995.
- Kouzi SA, McMurtry RJ, Nelson SD. Hepatotoxicity of germander (Teucrium chamaedrys L.) and one of its constituent neoclerodane diterpenes teucrin A in the mouse. Chem Res Toxicol 1994;7:850-6.
- Larrey D, Vial T, Pauwels A, et al. Hepatitis after germander (Teucrium chamaedrys) administration: another instance of herbal medicine hepatotoxicity. Ann Intern Med 1992;117:129-32.
- Pauwels A, Thierman-Duffaud D, Azanowsky JM, et al. [Acute hepatitis caused by wild germander. Hepatotoxicity of herbal remedies. Two cases]. Gastroenterol Clin Biol 1992;16:92-5.
- Castot A, Djezzar S, Deleau N, et al. [Pharmacovigilance off the beaten track: herbal surveillance or pharmacovigilance of medicinal plants]. Therapie 1997;52:97-103.
- Mostefa-Kara N, Pauwels A, Pines E, et al. Fatal hepatitis after herbal tea. Lancet 1992;340:674.
- Milutinovic MG, Maksimovic VM, Cvetkovic DM, et al. Potential of Teucrium chamaedrys L. to modulate apoptosis and biotransformation in colorectal carcinoma cells. J Ethnopharmacol. 2019;240:111951.