Strophanthus
OTHER NAME(S): Graines de Strophantus, Kombe, Kombe-Strophanthus Seeds, Strophanthi Grati Semen, Strophanthi Kombe Semen, Strophanthus Seeds, Yang Guo Nau, Strophanthus caudatus, Strophanthus divaricatus, Strophanthus gratus, Roupellia grata, Strophanthus hispidus, Strophanthus kombe, Strophanthus sarmentosus, Strophanthus wallichii, Strophantus, Estrofanto
Overview
Strophanthus is an herb. It has been used as an arrow poison in Africa. Strophanthus seeds are used to make medicine.
Despite serious safety concerns, people take strophanthus for diabetes, heart problems, and high blood pressure, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Strophanthus contains chemicals that can stimulate the heart and lower blood sugar.
Strophanthus contains chemicals that can stimulate the heart and lower blood sugar.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- "Hardening of the arteries" (arteriosclerosis).
- Heart problems.
- High blood pressure.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of strophanthus for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Strophanthus is UNSAFE for use without the direct supervision of a healthcare provider. It can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headache, disturbance of color vision, and heart problems.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Strophanthus is UNSAFE for use without the direct supervision of a healthcare provider. It can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headache, disturbance of color vision, and heart problems.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's UNSAFE to use strophanthus if you are pregnant. It might make the uterus contract, and this could cause a miscarriage. It's also UNSAFE to use strophanthus if you are breast-feeding.
Heart conditions: Strophanthus may cause irregular heartbeat. Don't use strophanthus if you have a heart condition, without the direct supervision of a healthcare provider.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with StrophanthusDigoxin (Lanoxin) helps the heart beat more strongly. Strophanthus also seems to affect the heart. Taking strophanthus along with digoxin can increase the effects of digoxin and increase the risk of side effects. Do not take strophanthus if you are taking digoxin (Lanoxin) without talking to your healthcare professional.
- Medications for inflammation (Corticosteroids) interacts with StrophanthusStrophanthus might affect the heart. Some medications for inflammation can decrease potassium in the body. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart and increase the risk of side effects from strophanthus. Some medications for inflammation include dexamethasone (Decadron), hydrocortisone (Cortef), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisone (Deltasone), and others.
- Quinidine interacts with StrophanthusStrophanthus can affect the heart. Quinidine can also affect the heart. Taking quinidine along with strophanthus might cause serious heart problems.
- Quinine interacts with StrophanthusStrophanthus can affect the heart. Quinine can also affect the heart. Taking quinine along with strophanthus might cause serious heart problems.
- Stimulant laxatives interacts with StrophanthusStrophanthus can affect the heart. The heart uses potassium. Laxatives called stimulant laxatives can decrease potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the chance of side effects from strophanthus. Some stimulant laxatives include bisacodyl (Correctol, Dulcolax), cascara, castor oil (Purge), senna (Senokot), and others.
- Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with StrophanthusStrophanthus might affect the heart. "Water pills" can decrease potassium in the body. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart and increase the risk of side effects from strophanthus. Some "water pills" that can deplete potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Microzide), and others.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of strophanthus 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 strophanthus. 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
- Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
- 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.
- Tyler VE, Brady LR, Robbers JE. Pharmacognosy. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lea & Febiger, 1988.
- Fageyinbo MS, Akindele AJ, Adenekan SO, Agbaje EO. Evaluation of in-vitro and in-vivo antidiabetic, antilipidemic and antioxidant potentials of aqueous root extract of Strophanthus hispidus DC (Apocynaceae). J Complement Integr Med. 2019;16(3).