Consult Your Doctor Before Using Supplements or Medicinal Plants: An In-depth Guide to Eleuthero and its Benefits, Safety, and Interactions

2023-10-13 21:23:00
Before using supplements or medicinal plants, consult your doctor (Illustrative image Infobae)

In the constant search for alternatives to improve our health and well-being, the use of supplements and medicinal plants has acquired significant relevance, especially when it comes to options with traditional and ancient uses.

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These natural resources offer a rich variety of nutrients and bioactive compounds that can complement our diet, provide therapeutic benefits and complement treatment, as long as it is under the supervision of a doctor.

This time we will focus on eleuthero, what its benefits are, its level of safety and effectiveness, side effects, as well as its reaction when interacting with medications, foods and other healing plants or supplements.

Eleuthero is a woody shrub sometimes called Siberian ginseng, although it is not a true ginseng. Its scientific name is eutherococcus senticosus.

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This medicinal plant is considered an adaptogen, that is, it stimulates the body’s resistance to physical, environmental and emotional stressors.

Eleuthero contains many chemicals that affect the brain, immune system, and certain hormones.

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People use eleuthero for genital herpes, diabetes, sports performance, memory and thinking skills, the common cold, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

Taking a specific eleuthroid extract (Elagen) can help reduce genital herpes outbreaks.

There is interest in using Eleuthero for other purposes, but there is not enough reliable information to say whether it might be useful.

Eleuthero is probably safe when used for up to 3 months. However, side effects may include diarrhea, upset stomach, and headache.

There is not enough reliable information to know if eleuthero is safe to use for more than 3 months.

There is also not enough reliable information to know whether eleuthero is safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid using it.

Eleuthero is possibly safe in adolescents (ages 12 to 17) when taken by mouth for up to 6 weeks. There is not enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use long-term or in young children.

This medicinal plant can cause pounding heartbeats, irregular heartbeats, or high blood pressure in people who have heart disorders. If you have a heart condition, use eleuthero only under the supervision of a healthcare provider.

It might also act as estrogen. If you have any condition that might be worsened by exposure to estrogen, do not use eleuthero.

Regardless of the level of safety and effectiveness of a medicinal plant or supplement, the ideal is to go to the doctor (Illustrative image Infobae)

Digoxin: There is some concern that eleuthero may increase digoxin levels. This might increase the effects and side effects of digoxin. If you are taking digoxin, talk to a healthcare provider before taking eleuthero.

Medications modified by the liver: Some medications are modified and broken down by the liver. Eleuthero may change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This might change the effects and side effects of these medications.

Drugs moved by pumps in cells: Some drugs move in and out of cells using pumps. Eleuthero may change how these pumps work and change the amount of medicine that stays in the body. In some cases, this can change the effects and side effects of a medication.

Diabetes medications: Eleuthero may lower blood sugar levels. Taking eleuthero along with diabetes medications can cause your blood sugar to drop too low. Closely monitor your blood sugar level.

Medications that lower the immune system: Eleuthero can increase the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used following a transplant, decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking eleuthero along with these medications may decrease the effects of these medications.

Medicines that slow blood clotting: Eleuthero may slow blood clotting. Taking eleuthero along with medications that also slow blood clotting may increase the risk of bruising and bleeding. Minors Pay attention to this combination

Herbs and supplements that may lower blood sugar: Eleuthero may lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and cactus.

Herbs and supplements that may slow blood clotting: Eleuthero may slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase and Panax ginseng.

With information from Medline Plus

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