-IBIS-1.5.0-
rx
herb
Rauwolfia serpentina (Indian Snakeroot, Rauwolfia)
botanicals
definition
botanical name(s): Rauwolfia serpentina
synonyms: Indian snakeroot, rauwolfia
part(s) used: root
qualities:
affinities:
actions:
dosage:
» root powder: 2 mg per day (Weiss, pp. 153-157)
» isolated reserpine: 0.2 - 0.3 mg three times daily
therapy: hypertension
toxicity: 4
» contraindicated during pregnancy (Brinker, pp. 81-82)
» contraindicated in patients with thyroid problems and caution is advised in patients with history of recent surgery, diabetes, hypoglycemia, nephrotic syndrome, urinary tract infections, acute infectious hepatitis, leukemias, Graves disease, hypothyroidism or related genetic disorders (Langer and Greer, pp. 66-67)
» caution is advised for patients with a tendency to Parkinsonism, a history of peptic ulcers, or with suicidal tendencies; beware of onset of severe hypotension, amenorrhea, and feminization (Duke, p. 401; Theines and Haley, p. 71)
» not to be administered to children (Simpson and Curtis, pp. 46-47)
» side effects include: nasal stuffiness, lethargy, hypergastric secretion and acidity, limb pains, orthostatic hypotension, loose stools, bradycardia, dreams and dyspnea; patients may also experience mild colic, thirst, ptyalism, tremors, paresthesias, diarrhea, and muscle stiffness; cases of emotional depression occur; occasionally patients experience increased libido, impotence, menstrual changes, or display agitation, restlessness, psychoses, convulsions and other neurological disorders (Brinker, pp. 81-82; Duke, p. 401; Theines and Haley, p. 71; von Oettingen, p. 521)
» coma and respiratory depression occur in severe cases of intoxication; death occurs from respiratory arrest (Simon and Curtis, p. 46)
» chronic use often leads to Parkinsonism, a side-effect that will disappear in a few days after discontinuation (Theines and Haley, p. 71)
» cardiovascular effects: severe hypotension, edema, angina-like chest pains, extra-systole, and congestive heart failure (Dreisbach, p. 392; Woodson, et al)
» laboratory test results: leukocytosis with increased PMN, eosinophil, and monocyte counts; potential for reduced coagulation time (Theines and Haley, p. 71)
» potential teratogen and carcinogen (Keeler and Tu, pp. 165, 261)
constituents: alkaloid: reserpine
general references: Woodson, et al; Simpson and Curtis, pp. 1-48
footnotes
Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Dreisbach, R.H. 1980. Handbook of Poisoning: Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment, 10 ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Lange Medical Publications.
Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.
Keeler, R.F., and Tu, A.T. 1983. Handbook of Natural Toxins. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.
Langer, P., and Greer, M.A. 1977. Anti-Thyroid Substances and Naturally Occurring Goitrogens. New York: Karyer, Greer.
Simpson, L.L., Curtis, D.R. 1977. Neuropoisons; Their Pathophysiological Actions. New York: Plenum Press.
Thienes, C.H., Haley, T.J. 1975. Clinical Toxicology. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger.
von Oettingen, W.F. 1958. Poisoning: A Guide to Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders and Company.
Weiss, R.F. 1988. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum; Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers, Ltd.
Woodson, Jr., R.E., Youngken, H.W., Schittler, E., Schneider, J. A. 1957. Rauwolfia: Botany, Pharmacognosy, Chemistry, and Pharmacology. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company.