Bambou Japonais, Bambou Mexicain, Extrait de Hu Zhang, Fallopia japonica, Fleece Flower, Giant Knotweed, He Shou Wu, Hu Zhang Extract, Hu Zhang Root, Itadori, Japanese Bamboo, Japanese Knotweed, Japanese Knotwood, Mexican Bamboo, PCWE, Persicaire Cuspidée, Polygoni Multiflora, Polygonum cuspidatum, Racine de Hu Zhang, Renouée à Feuilles Pointues, Renouée du Japon, Renouée Japonaise, Reynoutria japonica, Tiger Cane.
Hu zhang is the Chinese name given to a plant with the scientific name of Polygonum cuspidatum. North American varieties are often referred to as “Mexican bamboo.” The root is used as medicine.
Hu zhang is used for conditions of the heart and blood vessels including “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis), high cholesterol, and heart disease; and for digestion problems including constipation, liver disease (hepatitis), and gallstones. It is also used for cancer, skin burns, pain and swelling of the bone (osteomyelitis) and gout.
Women sometimes use hu zhang for painful menstrual periods and menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.
How does it work?
There is not enough known about how hu zhang might work. Some chemicals in hu zhang might decrease how fast some cells grow.
QUESTION
Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See AnswerInsufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...
- Constipation.
- Menstrual problems.
- Hot flashes.
- Heart disease.
- High cholesterol.
- Cancer.
- Skin burns.
- Liver disease.
- Gout.
- Gallstones.
- 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).
SLIDESHOW
Vitamin D Deficiency: How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? See SlideshowBleeding disorders: Hu zhang contains resveratrol. Resveratrol is a chemical that might slow blood clotting. Taking hu zhang might slow clotting and increase the chances of bruising and bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.
Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: There is some developing evidence that hu zhang might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don't use hu zhang until more is known.
Surgery: Hu zhang contains resveratrol. Resveratrol is a chemical that might slow blood clotting. Hu zhang might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using hu zhang at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
EstrogensInteraction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Hu zhang seems to have some of the same effects as estrogen. Taking hu zhang along with estrogens might decrease the effects of estrogens.
Some estrogen pills include conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin), ethinyl estradiol, estradiol, and others.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) substrates)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Hu zhang contains the constituent resveratrol. Resveratrol might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking hu zhang along with some medications that are broken down by the liver might increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking hu zhang talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some medications changed by the liver include chlorzoxazone, theophylline, and bufuralol.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Hu zhang contains resveratrol, and resveratrol might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking hu zhang along with some medications that are broken down by the liver might increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking hu zhang talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some of these medications that are changed by the liver include clozapine (Clozaril), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), fluvoxamine (Luvox), haloperidol (Haldol), imipramine (Tofranil), mexiletine (Mexitil), olanzapine (Zyprexa), pentazocine (Talwin), propranolol (Inderal), tacrine (Cognex), zileuton (Zyflo), zolmitriptan (Zomig), and others.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) substrates)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Hu zhang contains resveratrol, and resveratrol might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking hu zhang along with some medications that are broken down by the liver might increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking hu zhang talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some medications that are changed by the liver include theophylline, omeprazole, clozapine, progesterone, lansoprazole, flutamide, oxaliplatin, erlotinib, and caffeine.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) substrates)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Hu zhang contains resveratrol, and resveratrol might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking hu zhang along with some medications that are broken down by the liver might increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking hu zhang talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some medications that are changed by the liver include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), and pantoprazole (Protonix); diazepam (Valium); carisoprodol (Soma); nelfinavir (Viracept); and others.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) substrates)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Hu zhang contains resveratrol, and resveratrol might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking hu zhang along with some medications that are broken down by the liver might increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking hu zhang talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some medications that are changed by the liver include acetaminophen, chlorzoxazone (Parafon Forte), ethanol, theophylline, and anesthetics such as enflurane (Ethrane), halothane (Fluothane), isoflurane (Forane), methoxyflurane (Penthrane).
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Hu zhang contains resveratrol, and resveratrol might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking hu zhang along with some medications that are broken down by the liver might increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking hu zhang, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some medications changed by the liver include lovastatin (Mevacor), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), fexofenadine (Allegra), triazolam (Halcion), and many others.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Hu zhang contains resveratrol. Resveratrol is a chemical that might slow blood clotting. Taking hu zhang along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.
Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
The appropriate dose of hu zhang 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 hu zhang. 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.
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