Pheasant's Eye

• Overview
• Uses
• Side Effects
• Precautions
• Interactions
• Dosing

Pheasant's eye is an herb. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine.

Even though pheasant's eye is considered a very poisonous plant, some people use it for heart conditions including mild heart failure, irregular heartbeat, and “nervous heart” complaints. Pheasant's eye is also used for cramps, fever, and menstrual disorders.

How does it work?

Pheasant's eye can slow and strengthen the heartbeat, causing it to pump blood more efficiently.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Mild heart failure.
• Irregular heart rhythm.
• Cramps.
• Fever.
• Menstrual disorders.
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of pheasant's eye for these uses.

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).

Pheasant's eye is UNSAFE, unless a commercially prepared extract is used under direct medical supervision. No one should self-medicate with pheasant's eye. It is highly poisonous. It can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and irregular heart rhythm.

It is UNSAFE for anyone to use pheasant's eye without direct medical supervision, but people with the following conditions are especially likely to experience dangerous side effects.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's UNSAFE to use pheasant's eye. Avoid use.

High blood calcium levels: It's UNSAFE to use pheasant's eye if you have this condition. Avoid use.

Low blood potassium levels: It's UNSAFE to use pheasant's eye if you have this condition. Avoid use.

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Digoxin (Lanoxin)Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

Digoxin (Lanoxin) helps the heart beat more strongly. Pheasant's eye also seems to affect the heart. Taking pheasant's eye along with digoxin can increase the effects of digoxin and increase the risk of side effects. Do not take pheasant's eye if you are taking digoxin (Lanoxin) without talking to your healthcare professional.

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Calcium supplementsInteraction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

Pheasant's eye can stimulate the heartbeat. Calcium might also affect the heart. Taking pheasant's eye along with calcium might cause the heart to be too stimulated. Do not take pheasant's eye along with calcium supplements.

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Medications for inflammation (Corticosteroids)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

Pheasant's eye might affect the heart. Some medications for inflammation can decrease potassium in the body. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart and increase the risk of side effects from pheasant's eye.

Some medications for inflammation include dexamethasone (Decadron), hydrocortisone (Cortef), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisone (Deltasone), and others.

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QuinidineInteraction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

Pheasant's eye can affect the heart. Quinidine can also affect the heart. Taking quinidine along with pheasant's eye might cause serious heart problems.

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Stimulant laxativesInteraction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

Pheasant's eye can affect the heart. The heart uses potassium. Laxatives called stimulant laxatives can decrease potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the chance of side effects from taking pheasant's eye.

Some stimulant laxatives include bisacodyl (Correctol, Dulcolax), cascara, castor oil (Purge), senna (Senokot), and others.

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Water pills (Diuretic drugs)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

Pheasant's eye might affect the heart. "Water pills" can decrease potassium in the body. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart and increase the risk of side effects from pheasant's eye.

Some "water pills" that can deplete potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Microzide), and others.

The appropriate dose of pheasant's eye 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 pheasant's eye. 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.