LARCH ARABINOGALACTAN Overview Information
Arabinogalactan is a starch-like chemical that is found in many plants, but it is found in highest concentrations in Larch trees. Larch arabinogalactan is used for medicine. Most of the larch arabinogalactan you will find in stores is produced from Western Larch (Larch occidentalis). However, larch arabinogalactan can also be produced by other larch tree species.
Larch arabinogalactan is used for infections, including the common cold, flu, H1N1 (swine) flu, ear infections in children, and HIV/AIDS. It is also used to treat liver cancer, as well as a brain condition caused by liver damage (hepatic encephalopathy). Some people use it to provide dietary fiber, lower cholesterol, and to boost the immune system.
In foods, larch arabinogalactan is used as a stabilizer, binder, and sweetener.
How does it work?
Larch arabinogalactan is a fiber that ferments in the intestine. It might increase intestinal bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, and have other effects that could be beneficial to digestive tract health. There is also information that suggests larch arabinogalactan might boost the immune system and help prevent cancer cells in the liver from growing.
LARCH ARABINOGALACTAN Uses & Effectiveness 
Insufficient Evidence for:
- High cholesterol. Developing research shows that taking larch arabinogalactan does not significantly lower total cholesterol, “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, other blood fats called triglycerides, body weight, blood pressure, or sugar levels in healthy people. It is not known if larch arabinogalactan lowers cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol.
- Common cold.
- Flu.
- H1N1 (swine) flu.
- Liver disease.
- Liver cancer.
- Earache (otitis media).
- HIV/AIDS.
- Dietary fiber supplementation.
- Boosting the immune system.
- Inflammation.
- Other conditions.
LARCH ARABINOGALACTAN Side Effects & Safety
Larch arabinogalactan is POSSIBLY SAFE when used appropriately short-term (less than 6 months). It can cause side effects such as bloating and intestinal gas (flatulence). Not enough is known about the safety of long-term use of larch arabinogalactan.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of larch arabinogalactan during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.“Auto-immune diseases” such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Larch arabinogalactan might cause the immune system to become more active, and this could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it’s best to avoid using larch arabinogalactan.
Organ transplant recipients: Larch arabinogalactan might increase the risk of organ transplant rejection. If you have received an organ transplant, don’t use larch arabinogalactan until more is known.
LARCH ARABINOGALACTAN Interactions
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
- Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with LARCH ARABINOGALACTAN
Larch arabinogalactan seems to increase the immune system. By increasing the immune system larch arabinogalactan might decrease the effectiveness of medications that decrease the immune system.
Some medications that decrease the immune system include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), corticosteroids (glucocorticoids), and others.
LARCH ARABINOGALACTAN Dosing
The appropriate dose of larch arabinogalactan 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 larch arabinogalactan. 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.
