Camedrio, Chasse-Fièvre, Chêneau, Chenette, Germandrée, Germandrée Officinale, Germandrée Petit Chêne, Petit Chêne, Teucrium chamaedrys, Wall Germander, Wild Germander.
Germander is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine.
Despite serious safety concerns, people take germander for treating gallbladder conditions, fever, stomachaches, and mild diarrhea; as a digestive aid, germ-killer, and “rinse for gout;” and to help with weight loss.
Some people use germander as a mouthwash to freshen the breath and kill germs in the mouth.
In manufacturing, germander is used as a flavoring in alcoholic beverages.
How does it work?
There isn't enough information to know how germander might work.
QUESTION
Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See AnswerInsufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...
- Gallbladder conditions.
- Fever.
- Gout.
- Stomachache.
- Diarrhea.
- Weight loss.
- Use as a germ-killer (antiseptic).
- Use as a mouthwash.
- Other conditions.
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).
Germander is UNSAFE. France has banned its sale. Canada does not allow germander to be included in products that are taken by mouth. However, the US still allows germander to be used in small amounts as a flavoring agent in alcoholic beverages.
The safety concern is that germander has caused several cases of liver disease (hepatitis) and death.
SLIDESHOW
Vitamin D Deficiency: How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? See SlideshowThe appropriate dose of germander 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 germander. 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.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Bruneton J. Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants. Paris: Lavoisier Publishing, 1995.
Castot A, Djezzar S, Deleau N, et al. [Pharmacovigilance off the beaten track: herbal surveillance or pharmacovigilance of medicinal plants]. Therapie 1997;52:97-103. View abstract.
Kouzi SA, McMurtry RJ, Nelson SD. Hepatotoxicity of germander (Teucrium chamaedrys L.) and one of its constituent neoclerodane diterpenes teucrin A in the mouse. Chem Res Toxicol 1994;7:850-6. View abstract.
Larrey D, Vial T, Pauwels A, et al. Hepatitis after germander (Teucrium chamaedrys) administration: another instance of herbal medicine hepatotoxicity. Ann Intern Med 1992;117:129-32. View abstract.
Mostefa-Kara N, Pauwels A, Pines E, et al. Fatal hepatitis after herbal tea. Lancet 1992;340:674.
Pauwels A, Thierman-Duffaud D, Azanowsky JM, et al. [Acute hepatitis caused by wild germander. Hepatotoxicity of herbal remedies. Two cases]. Gastroenterol Clin Biol 1992;16:92-5. View abstract.