Aletris
OTHER NAME(S): Ague, Ague Grass, Ague Root, Alétris, Alétris Farineux, Aloerot, Blazing Star, Colic Root, Crow Corn, Devil's-bit, Licorne Vraie, Maïs des Corbeaux, Stargrass, Starwort, True Unicorn Root, Unicorn Root, Whitetube Stargrass, Aletris farinosa, Blazing-Star, Ague Grass, Devils Bit, Ague Root
Overview
Aletris is a plant. The root is used to make medicine.
Aletris is used for digestion problems, joint and muscle pain, infertility, menstrual disorders, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
It is not known how aletris might work.
It is not known how aletris might work.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Joint and muscle pain (rheumatism).
- Constipation.
- Gas.
- Colic.
- Diarrhea.
- Upset stomach.
- Menstrual disorders.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate aletris for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if aletris is safe. It might cause dizziness or confusion.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if aletris is safe. It might cause dizziness or confusion.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Aletris is POSSIBLY UNSAFE if you are pregnant. It might act like estrogen, and that could affect the pregnancy. It's best to avoid using aletris if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Stomach or intestinal (gastrointestinal, GI) problems: Aletris can irritate the GI tract. Do not use it if you have stomach or intestinal problems.
Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Aletris might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, do not use aletris.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Estrogens interacts with AletrisAletris might act like the hormone estrogen. When taken together, aletris might increase the risk for side effects.
Minor Interaction
Be watchful with this combination
- Antacids interacts with AletrisAntacids are used to decrease stomach acid. Aletris may increase stomach acid. By increasing stomach acid, aletris might decrease the effectiveness of antacids. Some antacids include calcium carbonate (Tums, others), dihydroxyaluminum sodium carbonate (Rolaids, others), magaldrate (Riopan), magnesium sulfate (Bilagog), aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel), and others.
- Medications that decrease stomach acid (H2-blockers) interacts with AletrisAletris might increase stomach acid. By increasing stomach acid, aletris might decrease the effectiveness of some medications that decrease stomach acid, called H2-blockers. Some medications that decrease stomach acid include cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), nizatidine (Axid), and famotidine (Pepcid).
- Medications that decrease stomach acid (Proton pump inhibitors) interacts with AletrisAletris might increase stomach acid. By increasing stomach acid, aletris might decrease the effectiveness of medications that are used to decrease stomach acid, called proton pump inhibitors. Some medications that decrease stomach acid include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium).
Dosing
The appropriate dose of aletris 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 aletris. 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
- The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
- Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
- Challinor VL, Chap S, Lehmann RP, Bernhardt PV, De Voss JJ. Structure and absolute configuration of methyl (3R)-malonyl-(13S)-hydroxycheilanth-17-en-19-oate, a sesterterpene derivative from the roots of Aletris farinosa. J Nat Prod. 2013;76(4):485-8.