Rauvolfia Vomitoria
OTHER NAME(S): African Serpentwood, African Snakeroot, Akanta, Asofeyeje, Eto Mmong Eba Ebot In, Ira, Ira-Igboo, Mmoneba, Msesewe, Poison Devil-pepper, Rauwolfia vomitoria, Serpent Snake Root, Serpent Wood, Swizzle-Stick Tree, Utoenyin, Wada, Rauvolfia vomitoria, Hylacium owariense, Rauvolfa senegambiae
Overview
Rauvolfia vomitoria is a shrub found mainly in West Africa. Various parts of the plant are used in traditional Nigerian and Chinese medicine.
Rauvolfia vomitoria contains chemicals that lower blood pressure, kill cancer cells and bacteria, and help with brain function. It is not completely clear which chemicals are the most important in Rauvolfia vomitoria or exactly how they might work together.
People use Rauvolfia vomitoria for athletic performance, diabetes, psychosis, fever, cancer, high blood pressure, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. It might also be unsafe.
Rauvolfia vomitoria is used in some workoutsupplements. Some countries have banned supplements containing Rauvolfia vomitoria extract from the market because some extracts contain high levels of chemicals that are prescription drugs. Don't confuse Rauvolfia vomitoria with Indian snakeroot, yohimbe, or rauwolscine. These are not the same.
Uses
We currently have no information for Rauvolfia Vomitoria overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Rauvolfia vomitoria is possibly unsafe. Rauvolfia vomitoria dried root powder can cause shakiness, jerky movements, or slower movements in some people. Rauvolfia vomitoria also contains chemicals that can cause serious side effects, including low or high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, heart attack, and seizures.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Rauvolfia vomitoria is safe or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Rauvolfia vomitoria is possibly unsafe. Rauvolfia vomitoria dried root powder can cause shakiness, jerky movements, or slower movements in some people. Rauvolfia vomitoria also contains chemicals that can cause serious side effects, including low or high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, heart attack, and seizures.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Rauvolfia vomitoria is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy: Rauvolfia vomitoria is possible unsafe to use while pregnant. It contains chemicals that might cause birth defects.
Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Rauvolfia vomitoria is safe to use while breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Anxiety: Rauvolfia vomitoria contains a chemical that might make anxiety worse.
Depression: Rauvolfia vomitoria contains a chemical that might make depression worse.
Shock therapy (electroconvulsive therapy, ECT): Rauvolfia vomitoria should not be used by people who are receiving ECT. Stop taking Rauvolfia vomitoria at least one week before beginning ECT.
Gallstones: Rauvolfia vomitoria might make gallbladder disease worse.
Heart disease: Chemicals in Rauvolfia vomitoria can increase or decrease blood pressure. Use with caution if you have heart disease or are at risk for heart disease.
Gastrointestinal (GI) conditions: Rauvolfia vomitoria can irritate the stomach and intestines. Don't use it if you have ever had peptic ulcers or inflammation (swelling) of the GI tract.
Pheochromocytoma: Don't use Rauvolfia vomitoria if you have this condition.
Surgery: Rauvolfia vomitoria might affect blood sugar levels, making blood sugar control difficult during and after surgery. Stop using Rauvolfia vomitoria at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Ephedrine interacts with Rauvolfia VomitoriaEphedrine can speed up the nervous system and make you feel jittery. Rauvolfia vomitoria might speed up or slow down the nervous system. Taking Rauvolfia vomitoria along with ephedrine might increase or decrease the effects of ephedrine.
- Levodopa interacts with Rauvolfia VomitoriaLevodopa is used for Parkinson disease. Taking Rauvolfia vomitoria along with levodopa might decrease the effects of levodopa and worsen symptoms of Parkinson disease.
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) substrates) interacts with Rauvolfia VomitoriaSome medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Rauvolfia vomitoria might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
- Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts with Rauvolfia VomitoriaRauvolfia vomitoria contains a chemical that affects the body. This chemical might increase the side effects of some medications used for depression. Some common MAOIs include phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).
- Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with Rauvolfia VomitoriaRauvolfia vomitoria might lower blood sugar levels. Taking Rauvolfia vomitoria along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
- Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with Rauvolfia VomitoriaRauvolfia vomitoria might lower blood pressure. Taking Rauvolfia vomitoria along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.
- Medications for mental conditions (Antipsychotic drugs) interacts with Rauvolfia VomitoriaRauvolfia vomitoria has some of the same effects as medications for mental conditions. Taking Rauvolfia vomitoria along with these medications might increase the risk of side effects from these medications.
- Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with Rauvolfia VomitoriaRauvolfia vomitoria might slow blood clotting. Taking Rauvolfia vomitoria along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
- Stimulant drugs interacts with Rauvolfia VomitoriaStimulant drugs speed up the nervous system. By speeding up the nervous system, stimulant medications can make you feel jittery and speed up your heartbeat. Rauvolfia vomitoria might also speed up the nervous system. Taking Rauvolfia vomitoria along with stimulant drugs might cause serious problems including increased heart rate and high blood pressure. Avoid taking stimulant drugs along with Rauvolfia vomitoria.
- Medications for depression (Tricyclic Antidepressants) interacts with Rauvolfia VomitoriaTaking some medications used for depression might alter the effects of Rauvolfia vomitoria and increase the risk for side effects.
- Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with Rauvolfia VomitoriaRauvolfia vomitoria might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking Rauvolfia vomitoria with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of Rauvolfia vomitoria might be. 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 a healthcare professional before using.
References
- Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
- 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.
- McEvoy GK, ed. AHFS Drug Information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 1998.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Young DS. Effects of Drugs on Clinical Laboratory Tests 4th ed. Washington: AACC Press, 1995.
- Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler's Honest Herbal, 4th ed., Binghamton, NY: Haworth Herbal Press, 1999.
- Milman N, Scheibel J, Jessen O. Lysine prophylaxis in recurrent herpes simplex labialis: a double-blind, controlled crossover study. Acta Derm Venereol 1980;60:85-7.
- Teloken C, Rhoden EL, Sogari P, et al. Therapeutic effects of high dose yohimbine hydrochloride on organic erectile dysfunction. J Urol 1998;159:122-4.
- Jacobsen FM. Fluoxetine-induced sexual dysfunction and an open trial of yohimbine. J Clin Psychiatry 1992;53:119-22.
- Hollander E, McCarley A. Yohimbine treatment of sexual side effects induced by serotonin reuptake blockers. J Clin Psychiatry 1992;53:207-9.
- Sandler B, Aronson P. Yohimbine-induced cutaneous drug eruption, progressive renal failure, and lupus-like syndrome. Urol 1993;41:343-5.
- Kearney T, Tu N, Haller C. Adverse drug events associated with yohimbine-containing products: a retrospective review of the California Poison Control System reported cases. Ann Pharmacother 2010;44:1022-9.
- Chapotin SM, Razanameharizaka JH, Holbrook NM. A biomechanical perspective on the role of large stem volume and high water content in baobab trees (Adansonia spp.; Bombacaceae). Am J Bot 2006;93:1251-64.
- VandenBrink, B. M., Foti, R. S., Rock, D. A., Wienkers, L. C., and Wahlstrom, J. L. Prediction of CYP2D6 drug interactions from in vitro data: evidence for substrate-dependent inhibition. Drug Metab Dispos. 2012;40(1):47-53.
- Campbell-Tofte, J. I., Molgaard, P., Josefsen, K., Abdallah, Z., Hansen, S. H., Cornett, C., Mu, H., Richter, E. A., Petersen, H. W., Norregaard, J. C., and Winther, K. Randomized and double-blinded pilot clinical study of the safety and anti-diabetic efficacy of the Rauvolfia-Citrus tea, as used in Nigerian traditional medicine. J Ethnopharmacol. 1-27-2011;133(2):402-411.
- Mustonen, P., Savola, J., and Lassila, R. Atipamezole, an imidazoline-type alpha(2)-adrenoceptor inhibitor, binds to human platelets and inhibits their adrenaline-induced aggregation more effectively than yohimbine. Thromb.Res 8-1-2000;99(3):231-237.
- Bagheri, H., Schmitt, L., Berlan, M., and Montastruc, J. L. Effect of 3 weeks treatment with yohimbine on salivary secretion in healthy volunteers and in depressed patients treated with tricyclic antidepressants. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1992;34(6):555-558.
- Albus, M., Zahn, T. P., and Breier, A. Anxiogenic properties of yohimbine. I. Behavioral, physiological and biochemical measures. Eur.Arch.Psychiatry Clin.Neurosci. 1992;241(6):337-344.
- Albus, M., Zahn, T. P., and Breier, A. Anxiogenic properties of yohimbine. II. Influence of experimental set and setting. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 1992;241(6):345-351.
- Adeniyi, A. A., Brindley, G. S., Pryor, J. P., and Ralph, D. J. Yohimbine in the treatment of orgasmic dysfunction. Asian J Androl 2007;9(3):403-407.
- Giampreti, A., Lonati, D., Locatelli, C., Rocchi, L., and Campailla, M. T. Acute neurotoxicity after yohimbine ingestion by a body builder. Clin Toxicol.(Phila) 2009;47(8):827-829.
- Myers, A. and Barrueto, F., Jr. Refractory priapism associated with ingestion of yohimbe extract. J Med Toxicol. 2009;5(4):223-225.
- Berlin, I., Crespo-Laumonnier, B., Cournot, A., Landault, C., Aubin, F., Legrand, J. C., and Puech, A. J. The alpha 2-adrenergic receptor antagonist yohimbine inhibits epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation in healthy subjects. Clin Pharmacol.Ther. 1991;49(4):362-369.
- Cimolai, N. and Cimolai, T. Yohimbine use for physical enhancement and its potential toxicity. J Diet.Suppl 2011;8(4):346-354.
- Landis, E. and Shore, E. Yohimbine-induced bronchospasm. Chest 1989;96(6):1424.
- Susset, J. G., Tessier, C. D., Wincze, J., Bansal, S., Malhotra, C., and Schwacha, M. G. Effect of yohimbine hydrochloride on erectile impotence: a double-blind study. J Urol. 1989;141(6):1360-1363.
- Charney, D. S., Price, L. H., and Heninger, G. R. Desipramine-yohimbine combination treatment of refractory depression. Implications for the beta-adrenergic receptor hypothesis of antidepressant action. Arch.Gen.Psychiatry 1986;43(12):1155-1161.
- Braddock, L., Cowen, P. J., Elliott, J. M., Fraser, S., and Stump, K. Binding of yohimbine and imipramine to platelets in depressive illness. Psychol.Med 1986;16(4):765-773.
- Charney, D. S., Heninger, G. R., and Sternberg, D. E. Assessment of alpha 2 adrenergic autoreceptor function in humans: effects of oral yohimbine. Life Sci 6-7-1982;30(23):2033-2041.
- Boon, N. A., Elliott, J. M., Grahame-Smith, D. G., John-Green, T., and Stump, K. A comparison of alpha 2-adrenoreceptor binding characteristics of intact human platelets identified by [3H]-yohimbine and [3H]- dihydroergocryptine. J Auton.Pharmacol 1983;3(2):89-95.
- Bourin, M., Malinge, M., and Guitton, B. Provocative agents in panic disorder. Therapie 1995;50(4):301-306.
- Morgan, C. A., III, Southwick, S. M., Grillon, C., Davis, M., Krystal, J. H., and Charney, D. S. Yohimbine-facilitated acoustic startle reflex in humans. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 1993;110(3):342-346.
- Siddiqui, M. A., More-O'Ferrall, D., Hammod, R. S., Baime, R. V., and Staddon, A. P. Agranulocytosis associated with yohimbine use. Arch.Intern.Med 6-10-1996;156(11):1235-1237.
- Mann, K., Klingler, T., Noe, S., Roschke, J., Muller, S., and Benkert, O. Effects of yohimbine on sexual experiences and nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity in erectile dysfunction. Arch.Sex Behav. 1996;25(1):1-16.
- Rowland, D. L., Kallan, K., and Slob, A. K. Yohimbine, erectile capacity, and sexual response in men. Arch Sex Behav 1997;26(1):49-62.
- Gurguis, G. N., Vitton, B. J., and Uhde, T. W. Behavioral, sympathetic and adrenocortical responses to yohimbine in panic disorder patients and normal controls. Psychiatry Res. 6-16-1997;71(1):27-39.
- Riley AJ, Goodman R, Kellett JM, and et al. Double blind trial of yohimbine hydrochloride in the treatment of erection inadequacy. Sexual Marital Ther 1989;4(1):17-26.
- Ruck B, Shih RD, Marcus SM. Hypertensive crisis from herbal treatment of impotence. Am J Emerg Med. 1999;17:317-318.
- Bemis DL, Capodice JL, Gorroochurn P, et al. Anti-prostate cancer activity of a beta-carboline alkaloid enriched extract from Rauwolfia vomitoria. Int J Oncol 2006;29:1065-73.
- Gbolade A. Ethnobotanical study of plants used in treating hypertension in Edo State of Nigeria. J Ethnopharmacol 2012;144:1-10.
- Eluwa MA, Udoaffah MT, Vulley MB, et al. Comparative study of teratogenic potentials of crude ethanolic root bark and leaf extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria (apocynaceae) on the fetal heart. N Am J Med Sci 2010;2:592-5.
- Eluwa MA, Ekanem TB, Udoh PB, et al. Teratogenic effect of crude ethanolic root bark and leaf extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria (Apocynaceae) on nissl substances of albino wistar rat fetuses. Neurosci J 2013;2013:906731.
- Eluwa MA, Ekanem TB, Udoh PB, et al. Teratogenic effect of crude ethanolic root bark and leaf extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria (Apocynaceae) on the femur of albino wistar rat fetuses. J. Histol 2013;1-5.
- Ekong MB, Peter AI, Edagha IA, et al. Rauwolfia vomitoria inhibits olfaction and modifies olfactory bulb cells. Brain Res Bull 2016;124:206-13.
- Amole OO, Yemitan OK, Oshikoya KA. Anticonvulsant activity of Rauvol?a Vomitoria (Afzel). Afr J Pharmacy Pharmacol 2009;3:319-322.
- Bisong SA, Brown RE, Osim EE. Comparative extrapyramidal effects of Rauwolfia vomitoria, chlorpromazine and reserpine in mice. J Nat Med 2013;67:107-12.
- Bisong SA, Brown R, Osim EE. Comparative effects of Rauwolfia vomitoria and chlorpromazine on locomotor behaviour and anxiety in mice. J Ethnopharmacol 2010;132:334-9.
- Pesewu GA, Cutler RR, Humber DP. Antibacterial activity of plants used in traditional medicines of Ghana with particular reference to MRSA. J Ethnopharmacol 2008;116:102-11.
- Campbell JI, Mortensen A, Mølgaard P. Tissue lipid lowering-effect of a traditional Nigerian anti-diabetic infusion of Rauwolfia vomitoria foilage and Citrus aurantium fruit. J Ethnopharmacol 2006;104:379-86.
- Bisong S, Brown R, Osim E. Comparative effects of Rauwolfia vomitoria and chlorpromazine on social behaviour and pain. N Am J Med Sci 2011;3:48-54.
- Yu J, Ma Y, Drisko J, Chen Q. Antitumor activities of Rauwolfia vomitoria extract and potentiation of carboplatin effects against ovarian cancer. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp 2013;75:8-14.
- Yu J, Chen Q. Antitumor activities of Rauwolfia vomitoria extract and potentiation of gemcitabine effects against pancreatic cancer. Integr Cancer Ther 2014;13:217-25.
- Health Canada. Five unauthorized products seized from Keebo Sports Supplements in Winnipeg may pose serious health risks. September 30 2016. Available at: https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2016/60456a-eng.php.
- Perry BD, U'Prichard DC. [3H]rauwolscine (alpha-yohimbine): a specific antagonist radioligand for brain alpha 2-adrenergic receptors. Eur J Pharmacol 1981;76:461-4.
- Wylie KR. Yohimbine and sinusitis. Br J Psychiatry. 1996;169(3):384-5.
- Lobay D. Rauwolfia in the Treatment of Hypertension. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2015 Jun;14(3):40-6.
- Sheldon MB, Kotte JH. Effect of Rauwolfia serpentina and reserpine on the blood pressure in essential hypertension; a long-term double-blind study. Circulation. 1957 Aug;16(2):200-6.
- Vakil RJ. A clinical trial of Rauwolfia serpentina in essential hypertension. Br Heart J. 1949 Oct;11(4):350-5.
- Kumar S, Singh A, Bajpai V, Srivastava M, Singh BP, Ojha S, Kumar B. Simultaneous Determination of Bioactive Monoterpene Indole Alkaloids in Ethanolic Extract of Seven Rauvolfia Species using UHPLC with Hybrid Triple Quadrupole Linear Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry. Phytochem Anal. 2016 Sep;27(5):296-303.
- Obembe A, Sokomba EN, Sijuwola OA, et al. Antipsychotic effects and tolerance of crude Rauvolfia vomitoria in Nigerian psychiatric inpatients. Phytotherapy Research. 1994;8(4):218-23.
- Herman AM, Critchley HD, Duka T. The impact of yohimbine-induced arousal on facets of behavioural impulsivity. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2019;236(6):1783-1795.
- Metz S, Waiblinger-Grigull T, Schulreich S, et al. Effects of hydrocortisone and yohimbine on decision-making under risk. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2020;114:104589.
- Kuehl LK, Deuter CE, Hellmann-Regen J, Kaczmarczyk M, Otte C, Wingenfeld K. Enhanced noradrenergic activity by yohimbine and differential fear conditioning in patients with major depression with and without adverse childhood experiences. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2020;96:109751.
- Bharucha AE, Skaar T, Andrews CN, et al Relationship of cytochrome P450 pharmacogenetics to the effects of yohimbine on gastrointestinal transit and catecholamines in healthy subjects. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2008;20(8):891-9.
- Schmauss M, Laakmann G, Dieterle D. Effects of alpha 2-receptor blockade in addition to tricyclic antidepressants in therapy-resistant depression. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 1988;8(2):108-11.
- Wang N, Xie YW, Li MY, et al. Simultaneous determination of five alkaloids from Rauvolfia vomitoria in rat plasma by LC-MS/MS: Application to a comparative pharmacokinetic study in normal and type 2 diabetic rats. J Sep Sci 2021;44(7):1391-1403.