Other Name(s):

Estrofanto, Graines de Strophantus, Kombe, Kombe-Strophanthus Seeds, Roupellia grata, Strophanthi Grati Semen, Strophanthus caudatus, Strophanthus divaricatus, Strophanthus gratus, Strophanthus hispidus, Strophanthi Kombe Semen, Strophanthus kombe, Strophanthus sarmentosus, Strophanthus Seeds, Strophanthus wallichii, Strophantus, Yang Guo Nau.

Overview
Uses
Side Effects
Precautions
Interactions
Dosing

Overview

Strophanthus is an herb. It has been used as an arrow poison in Africa. Strophanthus seeds are used to make medicine.

Despite serious safety concerns, people take strophanthus for “hardening of the arteries” (arteriosclerosis), heart problems, and high blood pressure.

How does it work?

Strophanthus contains chemicals that can stimulate the heart.

QUESTION

Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See Answer

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

“Hardening of the arteries” (arteriosclerosis).
Heart problems.
High blood pressure.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of strophanthus 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).

Side Effects

Strophanthus is UNSAFE for use without the direct supervision of a healthcare provider. It can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headache, disturbance of color vision, and heart problems.

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Special Precautions & Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's UNSAFE to use strophanthus if you are pregnant. It might make the uterus contract, and this could cause a miscarriage. It's also UNSAFE to use strophanthus if you are breast-feeding.

Heart conditions: Strophanthus may cause irregular heartbeat. Don't use strophanthus if you have a heart condition, without the direct supervision of a healthcare provider.

Interactions

Calcium supplementsInteraction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

Strophanthus can stimulate the heartbeat. Calcium might also affect the heart. Taking strophanthus along with calcium might cause the heart to be too stimulated. Do not take strophanthus along with calcium supplements.

QuinidineInteraction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

Strophanthus can affect the heart. Quinidine can also affect the heart. Taking quinidine along with strophanthus might cause serious heart problems.

QuinineInteraction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

Strophanthus can affect the heart. Quinine can also affect the heart. Taking quinine along with strophanthus might cause serious heart problems.

Digoxin (Lanoxin)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

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

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

Strophanthus 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 strophanthus.

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

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

Strophanthus 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 strophanthus.

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

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

Strophanthus 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 strophanthus.

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

Dosing

The appropriate dose of strophanthus 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 strophanthus. 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.

References

Tyler VE, Brady LR, Robbers JE. Pharmacognosy. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lea & Febiger, 1988.