Overview

Gelsemium is a plant. Some people call it "woodbine." This can be confusing because American ivy and honeysuckle are also known as "woodbine." If you want gelsemium, look for its scientific name, which is Gelsemium sempervirens, Gelsemium nitidum, or Bignonia sempervirens.

Despite serious safety concerns, the root and underground stem (rhizome) of gelsemium are used for migraine, nerve pain in the face, asthma, and other breathing problems, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

How does it work ?

Gelsemium contains substances that might act in the brain to reduce pain.

Gelsemium contains substances that might act in the brain to reduce pain.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Asthma.
  • Migraine.
  • Pain due to a condition of facial nerves called trigeminal neuralgia.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of gelsemium for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Gelsemium is UNSAFE. All parts of the plant are very poisonous. Even small amounts can cause serious toxicity, including death. Symptoms of poisoning include headache, vision problems, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, muscle problems, seizures, breathing problems, slowing of the heart, and others.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Gelsemium is UNSAFE. All parts of the plant are very poisonous. Even small amounts can cause serious toxicity, including death. Symptoms of poisoning include headache, vision problems, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, muscle problems, seizures, breathing problems, slowing of the heart, and others. It is UNSAFE for anyone to use gelsemium, but some people have extra reasons not to use it:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's UNSAFE to use gelsemium. It is very poisonous.

Children: Gelsemium is UNSAFE. Do not give gelsemium to children. It can poison them, even in very small amounts.

Heart disease and weakness: Gelsemium is especially dangerous if you have a heart problem.

Interactions ?

We currently have no information for GELSEMIUM overview.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of gelsemium 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 gelsemium. 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.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.