-IBIS-1.5.0-

rx

herb

Oplopanax horridum (Devil's Club)

botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Oplopanax horridum

synonyms: devil's club, armored ginseng, northwest ginseng

part(s) used: root bark

qualities: bitter, cool, acrid

affinities:

actions: hypoglycemic agent, tonic, adaptogen

dosage:

» tincture: 2 - 4 ml.

therapy: gestational diabetes, diabetes mellitus, stress

AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 1

toxicity: 2; see saponin toxidrome

» caution is advised regarding use in patients with history of recent surgery, diabetes, hypoglycemia, nephrotic syndrome, urinary tract infections, acute infectious hepatitis, leukemias, Graves’ disease, or related genetic disorders (Langer and Greer, pp. 66-67); a possible goitrogen due to phytosterols (Langer and Greer, p. 52)

constituents: saponins

footnotes

Langer, P., and Greer, M.A. 1977. Anti-Thyroid Substances and Naturally Occurring Goitrogens. New York: Karyer, Greer.