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Other common
name(s): snakeroot, rauwolfia, rauvolfia, serpentwood,
reserpine
Scientific/medical
name(s): Rauwolfia
serpentina
Description
Indian snakeroot is a plant that grows in India, Thailand, and
other parts of Asia, South America, and Africa. There are more than 100
species of Indian snakeroot. Rauwolfia
serpentina is the most commonly used species in herbal
remedies. Reserpine, a chemical found in the roots, is responsible for
most of the plant’s effects on the body.
Overview
Available scientific evidence does not support claims that
Indian snakeroot is effective in treating cancer, liver disease, or
mental illness. It also has many dangerous side effects and is likely
to increase the risk of cancer. The drug reserpine, which is extracted
from snakeroot, is used in conventional medicine to treat high blood
pressure and agitation.
How is it promoted for use?
According to its proponents, Indian snakeroot lowers high
blood pressure (hypertension), eases anxiety and tension, reduces
fever, stops diarrhea and dysentery, and can be used to treat some
psychiatric illnesses. Some believe that Indian snakeroot stops or
interferes with the growth of cancer cells. A few herbalists recommend
that it not be used at all because of its hazardous effects.
What does it involve?
Indian snakeroot is on the Commission E (Germany's regulatory
agency for herbs) list of approved herbs for treating mild
hypertension. In the United Kingdom, it is available by prescription
only. In the United States, Indian snakeroot supplements are available
as tablets, powder, or in liquid form. Ground or powdered Indian
snakeroot can also be brewed as a tea.
Rauwolfia is also offered as a homeopathic remedy (see Homeopathy),
using extremely diluted solutions of the herb. Little or no actual
snakeroot is ingested when the homeopathic remedy is used.
Reserpine, which is extracted from the rauwolfia root, is a
prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA). It may be given as a pill or injection. For the prescription
medicine reserpine, the daily adult dose is less than 1 milligram per
day.
What is the history behind it?
References to Indian snakeroot were found in Hindu texts
dating back to 600 BC. A tea made from the plant has been used for
centuries in India for treating insanity, hysteria, and restlessness.
Mahatma Gandhi reportedly drank Indian snakeroot tea regularly.
In Western medicine, reserpine was commonly prescribed by
physicians for many years to treat high blood pressure and to calm
agitated people. However, other equally effective drugs with fewer side
effects have since taken its place.
In India, pastes made from the plant are applied as antidotes
to bites from venomous reptiles such as snakes. Extracts are sometimes
taken as a remedy for constipation, liver diseases, and rheumatism.
African serpentwood (Rauwolfia
vomitoria), a plant from the same family as Indian
snakeroot, has long been used in traditional African medicine to calm
mentally disturbed patients.
What is the evidence?
The drug reserpine, which is extracted from Indian snakeroot,
is widely known to be an effective tranquilizer and treatment for high
blood pressure. Recent studies suggest that Indian snakeroot contains
some substances that can reduce the growth of cancer cells in
laboratory dishes and in mice, but no human studies have been reported.
But the consensus of available scientific evidence does not support
claims that traditional preparations of Indian snakeroot can treat
liver disease or cancer.
Are there any possible problems or
complications?
This product is
sold as a dietary supplement in the United States. Unlike companies
that produce drugs (which must provide the FDA with results of detailed
testing showing their product is safe and effective before the drug is
approved for sale), the companies that make supplements do not have to
show evidence of safety or health benefits to the FDA before selling
their products. Supplement products without any reliable scientific
evidence of health benefits may still be sold as long as the companies
selling them do not claim the supplements can prevent, treat, or cure
any specific disease. Some such products may not contain the amount of
the herb or substance that is written on the label, and some may
include other substances (contaminants). Though the FDA has written new
rules to improve the quality of manufacturing processes for dietary
supplements and the accurate listing of supplement ingredients, these
rules do not take full effect until 2010. And, the new rules do not
address the safety of supplement ingredients or their effects on health
when proper manufacturing techniques are used.
Most such
supplements have not been tested to find out if they interact with
medicines, foods, or other herbs and supplements. Even though some
reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full
studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of
these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions
below should be considered incomplete.
Indian snakeroot is linked with many side effects, including
decreased heart rate, low blood pressure, decreased sex drive and
performance, increased appetite, weight gain, swelling, stomach
complaints, diarrhea, stuffy nose, nightmares, hallucinations, stomach
or intestinal ulcers, poor coordination, dizziness, and dry mouth.
Indian snakeroot can also impair physical abilities and occasionally
cause depression severe enough that the person loses touch with
reality.
People who have had depression, asthma, heart problems, peptic
ulcers or ulcerative colitis, and women who have had breast cancer
should not take Indian snakeroot. Indian snakeroot should also be
avoided by people taking sleeping pills, appetite suppressants, heart
medicines, and antipsychotic drugs because of the chance of increased
blood pressure, increased heart rate, or uncontrollable muscle
movements. When taken with alcohol, it increases impairment and
sleepiness. In addition, other potential interactions between Indian
snakeroot and other drugs and herbs should be considered. Some of these
combinations may be dangerous. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist
about any herbs you are taking.
Rauwolfia may affect the fetus in unknown ways. It is known to
pass into breast milk. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should
not use this herb.
The prescription drug reserpine can interact with other
medicines, such as cold remedies, heart medicines, sedatives, and
mental health drugs called MAO inhibitors. Talk with your doctor or
pharmacist about all medicines and supplements you are taking.
Reserpine is also known to cause cancer in mice, and at least one
observation study showed that people who had been treated with it had
slightly higher cancer rates. Because of this, it is listed as a
probable cancer-causing substance by the National Toxicology Program.
Since reserpine is a component of snakeroot, it is expected that
snakeroot may have some similar effects if enough of it is taken.
Some people can become allergic to rauwolfia. Relying on this
type of treatment alone and avoiding or delaying conventional medical
care for cancer may have serious health consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Bemis DL, Capodice JL, Gorroochurn P, Katz AE, Buttyan R.
Anti-prostate cancer activity of a beta-carboline alkaloid enriched
extract from Rauwolfia vomitoria. Int
J Oncol. 2006;29:1065-1073.
Blumenthal M, ed. The
Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal
Medicines. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council; 1998.
Bown D. New
Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses. New York, NY:
DK Publishing Inc; 2001.
Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's
Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines.
Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corp; 1999.
Gruenwald J.
PDR for Herbal Medicines. 3rd ed. Montvale, NJ: Thomson
PDR; 2004.
Grossman E, Messerli FH, Goldbourt U. Carcinogenicity of
antihypertensive therapy. Curr
Hypertens Rep. 2002;4:195-201.
Indian Snakeroot. PDRhealth Web site.
http://www.pdrhealth.com/drugs/altmed/altmed-mono.aspx?contentFileName=ame0238.xml&contentName=Indian+Snakeroot.
Accessed June 5, 2008.
Reserpine. Drugs Web site.
http://www.drugs.com/pro/reserpine.html. Updated May 2006. Accessed
June 6, 2008.
Reserpine: CAS RN 50-55-5. Hazardous Substances Data Bank Web
site. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~gIIMg3:1.
Accessed June 18, 2008.
Note: This information may not cover
all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or
interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be
relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is
familiar with your medical situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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