Angostura
OTHER NAME(S): Angusture Vraie, Angustura, Carony Bark, Chuspa, Cusparia, Cusparia Bark, True Angostura, Angostura trifoliata, Galipea officinalis, Bonplandia trifoliata, Cusparia febrifuga, Cusparia trifoliata, Angusture
Overview
Angostura is a small tree. It is native to Venezuela and other tropical parts of South America. The bark is used to make medicine.
People use angostura for fever, diarrhea, spasms, preventing the return of malaria, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In foods, angostura is used in alcoholic beverages. But "angostura bitters," which is sometimes used in mixing alcoholic beverages, no longer contains angostura. It is now made from gentian and other bitters.
Angostura has chemicals that help reduce spasms.
Angostura has chemicals that help reduce spasms.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Fever.
- Diarrhea.
- Spasms.
- Causing vomiting.
- Emptying the bowels.
- Preventing return of malaria.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of angostura for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Angostura extract is LIKELY SAFE for most adults when used in amounts commonly found in foods or drinks. There isn't enough reliable information to know if angostura is safe in medicinal amounts, which are typically larger than the amounts found in foods or drinks. Large doses of angostura might cause nausea and vomiting.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Angostura extract is LIKELY SAFE for most adults when used in amounts commonly found in foods or drinks. There isn't enough reliable information to know if angostura is safe in medicinal amounts, which are typically larger than the amounts found in foods or drinks. Large doses of angostura might cause nausea and vomiting.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if angostura is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Angostura overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of angostura 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 angostura. 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
- Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Williamson EM, Evans FJ, eds. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations. Essex, England: CW Daniel Company Ltd., 1998.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
- Smith, S. W., Shah, R. R., Hunt, J. L., and Herzog, C. A. Bidirectional ventricular tachycardia resulting from herbal aconite poisoning. Ann.Emerg.Med. 2005;45(1):100-101.
- Houghton, P. J., Woldemariam, T. Z., Watanabe, Y., and Yates, M. Activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis of alkaloid constituents of Angostura bark, Galipea officinalis. Planta Med 1999;65(3):250-254.
- Jacquemond-Collet, I., Hannedouche, S., Fouraste, I., and Moulis, C. Novel quinoline alkaloid from trunk bark of Galipea officinalis. Fitoterapia 2000;71(5):605-606.
- Jacquemond-Collet, I., Bessiere, J. M., Hannedouche, S., Bertrand, C., Fouraste, I., and Moulis, C. Identification of the alkaloids of Galipea officinalis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Phytochem.Anal. 2001;12(5):312-319.
- Jacquemond-Collet, I., Benoit-Vical, F., Valentin, A., Stanislas, E., Mallie, M., and Fouraste, I. Antiplasmodial and cytotoxic activity of galipinine and other tetrahydroquinolines from Galipea officinalis. Planta Med 2002;68(1):68-69.
- Rakotoson, J. H., Fabre, N., Jacquemond-Collet, I., Hannedouche, S., Fouraste, I., and Moulis, C. Alkaloids from Galipea officinalis. Planta Med. 1998;64(8):762-763.