Dodder
OTHER NAME(S): Afteemoon, Aftimoun, Aftimun, Atermoyer, Beggarweed, Chinese Dodder, Cuscutae, Cuscute Chinoise, Cuscute à Petites Fleurs, Cuscute du Thym, Devil's Guts, Dodder of Thyme, Field Dodder, Hellweed, Japanese Dedder, Lesser Dodder, Petite Cuscute, Scaldweed, Semen Cuscutae, Strangle Tare, Tu Si Zi, Tu Sizi, Cuscuta campestris, Cuscuta epithymum, Cuscuta chinensis, Cuscuta japonica, Cuscuta planiflora, other Cuscuta spp, semen cuscuate, Cuscuta, Cuscute
Overview
Dodder is an herb. People use the parts that grow above the ground to make medicine.
Dodder is used to treat urinary tract, spleen, psychiatric, and hepatic disorders. It is also used for cancer, depression, and pain. Dodder is used with a protein called whey for eczema (atopic dermatitis).
Dodder contains chemicals that act like antioxidants. These chemicals might help to slow the growth of cancer cells, and improve the health of the liver, the kidneys, and the nervous system.
Dodder contains chemicals that act like antioxidants. These chemicals might help to slow the growth of cancer cells, and improve the health of the liver, the kidneys, and the nervous system.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis). Early research shows that taking a combination of whey powder and dodder seed extract helps to reduce itching in people with eczema.
- Depression. Early research shows that taking dodder helps to improve depression in people who are also taking antidepressant medication.
- Bladder problems.
- Liver problems.
- Pain.
- Spleen problems.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of dodder for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Dodder seed extract is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in doses of up to 2 grams daily for up to 15 days. Dodder powder is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in doses of up to 2 grams daily for up to 8 weeks. There isn't enough reliable information to know if higher doses of dodder are safe. It might cause side effects such as stomach upset and diarrhea.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Dodder seed extract is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in doses of up to 2 grams daily for up to 15 days. Dodder powder is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in doses of up to 2 grams daily for up to 8 weeks. There isn't enough reliable information to know if higher doses of dodder are safe. It might cause side effects such as stomach upset and diarrhea.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if dodder is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Dodder overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of dodder 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 dodder. 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
- Monographs on the medicinal uses of plant drugs. Exeter, UK: European Scientific Co-op Phytother, 1997.
- Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
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- Reid D. A handbook of Chinese healing herbs. Boston, MA:Shambhala, 1995.
- Bao, X., Wang, Z., Fang, J., and Li, X. Structural features of an immunostimulating and antioxidant acidic polysaccharide from the seeds of Cuscuta chinensis. Planta Med. 2002;68(3):237-243.
- Ye, M., Li, Y., Yan, Y., Liu, H., and Ji, X. Determination of flavonoids in Semen Cuscutae by RP-HPLC. J.Pharm.Biomed.Anal. 5-15-2002;28(3-4):621-628.
- Wang, J., Wang, M., Ou, Y., and Wu, Q. [Effects of flavonoids from semen Cuscutae on changes of beta-EP in hypothalamuses and FSH and LH in anterior pituitaries in female rats exposed to psychologic stress]. Zhong.Yao Cai. 2002;25(12):886-888.
- Ye, M., Yan, Y. N., Qiao, L., and Ni, X. M. [Studies on chemical constituents of Cuscuta chinensis]. Zhongguo Zhong.Yao Za Zhi. 2002;27(2):115-117.
- Jian-Hui, L., Bo, J., Yong-Ming, B., and Li-Jia, A. Effect of Cuscuta chinensis glycoside on the neuronal differentiation of rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. Int.J.Dev.Neurosci. 2003;21(5):277-281.
- Umehara, K., Nemoto, K., Ohkubo, T., Miyase, T., Degawa, M., and Noguchi, H. Isolation of a new 15-membered macrocyclic glycolipid lactone, Cuscutic Resinoside a from the seeds of Cuscuta chinensis: a stimulator of breast cancer cell proliferation. Planta Med. 2004;70(4):299-304.
- Pan, H. J., Sun, H. X., and Pan, Y. J. Adjuvant effect of ethanol extract of Semen Cuscutae on the immune responses to ovalbumin in mice. J.Ethnopharmacol. 5-13-2005;99(1):99-103.
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- Yen, F. L., Wu, T. H., Lin, L. T., and Lin, C. C. Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Cuscuta chinensis against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. J.Ethnopharmacol. 4-20-2007;111(1):123-128.
- Zhen, G. H., Jiang, B., Bao, Y. M., Li, D. X., and An, L. J. [The protect effect of flavonoids from Cuscuta chinensis in PC12 cells from damage induced by H2O2]. Zhong.Yao Cai. 2006;29(10):1051-1055.
- Uddin, S. J., Shilpi, J. A., Middleton, M., Byres, M., Shoeb, M., Nahar, L., and Sarker, S. D. Swarnalin and cis-swarnalin, two new tetrahydrofuran derivatives with free radical scavenging activity, from the aerial parts of Cuscuta reflexa. Nat.Prod.Res. 2007;21(7):663-668.
- Yen, F. L., Wu, T. H., Lin, L. T., Cham, T. M., and Lin, C. C. Nanoparticles formulation of Cuscuta chinensis prevents acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Food Chem.Toxicol. 2008;46(5):1771-1777.
- Liang, R. N., Liu, J., and Lu, J. [Treatment of refractory polycystic ovary syndrome by bushen huoxue method combined with ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 2008;28(4):314-317.
- Nisa, M., Akbar, S., Tariq, M., and Hussain, Z. Effect of Cuscuta chinensis water extract on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced skin papillomas and carcinomas in mice. J.Ethnopharmacol. 1986;18(1):21-31.
- Du, X. M., Kohinata, K., Kawasaki, T., Guo, Y. T., and Miyahara, K. Components of the ether-insoluble resin glycoside-like fraction from Cuscuta chinensis. Phytochemistry 1998;48(5):843-850.
- Liang Y et al. Effects of traditional Chinese medicine and rehabilitation training on knee joint function after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in arthroscopy. Chinese Journal of Clinical Rehabilitatin. 2006;10(27):6-10.
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- Mehrbani M, Choopani R, Fekri A, Mehrabani M, Mosaddegh M, Mehrabani M. The efficacy of whey associated with dodder seed extract on moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015;172:325-32.
- Firoozabadi A, Zarshenas MM, Salehi A, Jahanbin S, Mohagheghzadeh A. Effectiveness of Cuscuta planiflora Ten. and Nepeta menthoides Boiss. & Buhse in major depression: a triple-blind randomized controlled trial study. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2015;20(2):94-7.
- Shin S, Lee YJ, Kim EJ, Lee AS, Kang DG, Lee HS. Effect of Cuscuta chinensis on renal function in ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute renal failure rats. Am J Chin Med. 2011;39(5):889-902.