Dendrobium
OTHER NAME(S): Dendrobe Noble, Dendrobium Extract, Extrait de Dendrobium, Jin Chai Shi Hu, Nobile Dendrobium, Orchid Stem, Seokgok, Shihu, Stem-Orchid, Tie Pi Shi, Vinterdendrobium, Dendrobium nobile, Dendrobium officinale, other Dendrobium species
Overview
Dendrobium is in the orchid plant family. This type of orchid is native to China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Thailand, Vietnam, and other temperate and tropical Asian regions.
Traditionally, dendrobium plants have been used in Traditional Chinese medicine. Today, dendrobium is showing up in pre-workoutsupplements used to boost physical and athletic performance, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Some experts are still touting it as a replacement for the stimulant dimethylamylamine (DMAA). But at least one popular dendrobium-containing supplement (Craze, Driven Sports) has been identified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as being adulterated with a stimulant drug.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- A type of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn disease).
- A type of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis).
- An eating disorder (anorexia nervosa).
- Athletic performance.
- Cough.
- Dry mouth.
- Erectile dysfunction (ED).
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Stomach pain.
- Stomach ulcers.
- Swelling (inflammation) of the stomach (gastritis).
- Tuberculosis.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of dendrobium for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough information to know if dendrobium is safe or what the side effects might be when taken by mouth.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough information to know if dendrobium is safe or what the side effects might be when taken by mouth.
Pregnancy and Breast-feeding: There isn't enough information to know if dendrobium is safe to take during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Seizures: There is a concern that dendrobium might increase the chance of seizure in some people. Dendrobium contains a chemical that might increase the chance of seizure. If you have ever had a seizure, don't use dendrobium.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Medications used to prevent seizures (Anticonvulsants) interacts with DendrobiumMedications used to prevent seizures affect chemicals in the brain. Dendrobium might also affect chemicals in the brain in a way that might possibly decrease the effectiveness of medications used to prevent seizures. Some medications used to prevent seizures include phenobarbital, primidone (Mysoline), valproic acid (Depakene), gabapentin (Neurontin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), and others.
- Medications that increase the chance of having a seizure (Seizure threshold lowering drugs) interacts with DendrobiumSome medications increase the chance of having a seizure. Taking dendrobium might cause seizures in some people. If this combination is taken, it might increase the chance of having a seizure. Do not take dendrobium with medications that increase the chance of having a seizure. Some medications that increase the chance of having a seizure include anesthesia (propofol, others), antiarrhythmics (mexiletine), antibiotics (amphotericin, penicillin, cephalosporins, imipenem), antidepressants (bupropion, others), antihistamines (cyproheptadine, others), immunosuppressants (cyclosporine), narcotics (fentanyl, others), stimulants (methylphenidate), theophylline, and others.
Minor Interaction
Be watchful with this combination
- Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with DendrobiumDendrobium might decrease blood pressure. Taking dendrobium along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low. Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of dendrobium 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 dendrobium. 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
- Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases. Available at: https://www.ars-grin.gov/duke/.
- Danniells S. Dendrobium-containing Craze pre-workout supplement hit with CA class action. Nutraingredients-USA.com, May 21, 2012. Available at: https://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Regulation/Dendrobium-containing-Craze-pre-workout-supplement-hit-with-CA-class-action (Accessed May 23, 2012).
- Schultz H. Is DMAA successor dendrobium legit? Questions about the chemistry of dendrobium extract. Functional Ingredients eNewsletter, May 17, 2012. Available at: https://newhope360.com/regulation-and-legislation/dmaa-successor-dendrobium-legit?page=2 (Accessed May 23, 2012).
- Yang HY, Neff NH. Beta-phenylethylamine: a specific substrate for type B monoamine oxidase of brain. J Pharm Exp Therapeutics 1973;187:365-71.
- Parker EM, Cubeddu LX. Comparative effects of amphetamine, phenylethylamine and related drugs on dopamine efflux, dopamine uptake and mazindol binding. J Pharm Exp Therapeutics 1988;245:199-210.
- Kedia AW, Hofheins JE, Habowski SM, et al. Effects of a pre-workout supplement on lean mass, muscular performance, subjective workout experience and markers of safety. Int J Med Sci 2014;11(2):116-26.
- Cheng J, Dang PP, Zhao Z, et al. An assessment of the Chinese medicinal dendrobium industry: supply, demand and sustainability. J Ethnopharmacol. 2019;229:81-8.
- Dou MM, Zhang ZH, Li ZB, Zhang J, Zhao XY. Cardioprotective potential of Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo against myocardial ischemia in mice. Mol Med Rep. 2016;14(5):4407-14.
- Warning Letter: Driven Sports, Inc 04/04/14. FDA Inspections, Compliance, Enforcement, and Criminal Investigations, April 4, 2014. https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/driven-sports-inc-04042014. Accessed: October 1, 2019.
- Liang J, Chen S, Chen J, et al. Therapeutic roles of polysaccharides from Dendrobium Officinale on colitis and its underlying mechanisms. Carbohydr Polym. 2018;185:159-68.
- Zeng Q, Ko CH, Siu WS, et al. Polysaccharides of Dendrobium officinale Kimura & Migo protect gastric mucosal cell against oxidative damage-induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. J Ethnopharmacol. 2017;208:214-24.
- He TB, Huang YP, Yang L, et al. Structural characterization and immunomodulating activity of polysaccharide from Dendrobium officinale. Int J Biol Macromol. 2016;83:34-41.
- Lou XJ, Wang YZ, Lei SS, et al. Beneficial Effects of Macroporous Resin Extract of Dendrobium candidum Leaves in Rats with Hyperuricemia Induced by a High-Purine Diet. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2020;2020:3086106.