PURPLE NUT SEDGE

OTHER NAME(S):

Alho Bravo, Brown Nut Sedge, Capim Alho, Capim Dandá, Castañuela, Cipero, Coco Grass, Coquito, Cyperus, Cyperus rotundus, Galingale, Ground Almond, Hyangbuja, Java Grass, Juncia Real, Knolliges Zypergras, Musta, Nötag, Nut Grass, Nut Sedge, Purple Nut Grass, Purple Nutsedge, Red Nut Sedge, Rundes Zypergras, Sa'ed, Souchet Rond, Suo Cao, Xiang Fu Zi, Zigolo Infestante.

Overview

Overview Information

Purple nut sedge is a plant that resembles grass. The tuber is eaten as a source of starch. The tubers and above-ground parts are also used to make medicine.

People use purple nut sedge by mouth for conditions such as diabetes, diarrhea, and indigestion, and apply it to the skin for acne, dandruff, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

How does it work?

Purple nut sedge is an antioxidant. It might reduce blood sugar and prevent the growth of certain bacteria, including the type that causes dental cavities. Purple nut sedge might also help break down fat to increase weight loss.

Uses

Uses & Effectiveness?

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Taking purple nut sedge along with other herbal ingredients might improve some symptoms of IBS. But it's not clear if this is due to purple nut sedge or the other ingredients.
  • Acne
  • Cavities.
  • Depression.
  • Diabetes.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Fever.
  • Indigestion.
  • Malaria.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Pain.
  • Skin ulcers.
  • Wound healing.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate purple nut sedge for these uses.

Side Effects

Side Effects & Safety

When taken by mouth: Purple nut sedge tuber is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth as a medicine for up to 8 weeks.

When applied to the skin: Purple nut sedge essential oil is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if purple nut sedge is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Bleeding disorders: Purple nut sedge might slow blood clotting. This might increase the risk of bruising or bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.

Slow heart rate (bradycardia): Purple nut sedge might slow down the heartbeat. This could be a problem in people who already have a slow heart rate.

Diabetes: Purple nut sedge might lower blood sugar levels. People with diabetes should monitor their blood glucose levels closely. If you have diabetes, it's best to check with your healthcare provider before starting purple nut sedge.

Gastrointestinal tract blockage: Purple nut sedge might cause "congestion" in the intestines. This might cause problems in people who have a blockage in their intestines.

Stomach ulcers: Purple nut sedge might increase secretions in the stomach and intestines. There is concern that this could worsen ulcers.

Lung conditions: Purple nut sedge might increase fluid secretions in the lung. There is concern that this could worsen lung conditions such as asthma or emphysema.

Seizures: There is concern that purple nut sedge might increase the risk of seizures.

Surgery: Purple nut sedge might lower blood sugar or slow blood clotting. There is some concern that it might interfere with bleeding or blood sugar control during surgery. Stop using purple nut sedge at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Urinary tract obstruction: Purple nut sedge might increase secretions in the urinary tract. There is concern that this could worsen urinary obstruction.

Interactions

Interactions?

We currently have no information for PURPLE NUT SEDGE Interactions.

Dosing

Dosing

The appropriate dose of purple nut sedge 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 purple nut sedge. 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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View References

REFERENCES:

  • Ardestani A, Yazdanparast R. Cyperus rotundus suppresses AGE formation and protein oxidation in a model of fructose-mediated protein glycoxidation. Int J Biol Macromol. 2007;41(5):572-578. View abstract.
  • Buckley S, Usai D, Jakob T, Radini A, Hardy K. Dental calculus reveals unique insights into food items, cooking and plant processing in prehistoric central Sudan. PLoS One. 2014;9(7):e100808. View abstract.
  • Ha JH, Lee KY, Choi HC, et al. Modulation of radioligand binding to the GABA(A)-benzodiazepine receptor complex by a new component from Cyperus rotundus. Biol Pharm Bull. 2002;25(1):128-130. View abstract.
  • Hiking H, Aota K, Kuwano D, Takemoto T. Structure and absolute configuration of a-rotunol and ß-rotunol, sesquiterpenoids of Cyperus rotundus. Tetrahedron. 1971; 27(19):4831-4836.
  • Jeong SJ, Miyamoto T, Inagaki M, Kim YC, Higuchi R. Rotundines A-C, three novel sesquiterpene alkaloids from Cyperus rotundus. J Nat Prod. 2000;63(5):673-675. View abstract.
  • Jin JH, Lee DU, Kim YS, Kim HP. Anti-allergic activity of sesquiterpenes from the rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus. Arch Pharm Res. 2011;34(2):223-8. View abstract.
  • Kilani S, Ben Sghaier M, Limem I, et al. In vitro evaluation of antibacterial, antioxidant, cytotoxic and apoptotic activities of the tubers infusion and extracts of Cyperus rotundus. Bioresour Technol. 2008;99(18):9004-9008. View abstract.
  • Kilani S, Ledauphin J, Bouhlel I, et al. Comparative study of Cyperus rotundus essential oil by a modified GC/MS analysis method. Evaluation of its antioxidant, cytotoxic, and apoptotic effects. Chem Biodivers. 2008;5(5):729-742. View abstract.
  • Lemaure B, Touche A, Zbinden I, et al. Administration of Cyperus rotundus tubers extract prevents weight gain in obese Zucker rats. Phytother Res. 2007;21(8):724-730. View abstract.
  • Raut NA, Gaikwad NJ. Antidiabetic activity of hydro-ethanolic extract of Cyperus rotundus in alloxan induced diabetes in rats. Fitoterapia. 2006;77(7-8):585-588. View abstract.
  • Sayed HM, Mohamed MH, Farag SF, et al. Fructose-amino acid conjugate and other constituents from Cyperus rotundus L. Nat Prod Res. 2008;22(17):1487-1497. View abstract.
  • Sayed HM, Mohamed MH, Farag SF, Mohamed GA, Proksch P. A new steroid glycoside and furochromones from Cyperus rotundus L. Nat Prod Res. 2007;21(4):343-350. View abstract.
  • Seo EJ, Lee DU, Kwak JH, et al. Antiplatelet effects of Cyperus rotundus and its component (+)-nootkatone. J Ethnopharmacol. 2011;135(1):48-54. View abstract.
  • Seo WG, Pae HO, Oh GS, et al. Inhibitory effects of methanol extract of Cyperus rotundus rhizomes on nitric oxide and superoxide productions by murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7 cells. J Ethnopharmacol. 2001;76(1):59-64. View abstract.
  • Sharma R, Gupta R. Cyperus rotundus extract inhibits acetylcholinesterase activity from animal and plants as well as inhibits germination and seedling growth in wheat and tomato. Life Sci. 2007;80(24-25):2389-2392. View abstract.
  • Sonwa MM, Konig WA. Chemical study of the essential oil of Cyperus rotundus. Phytochemistry. 2001;58(5):799-810. View abstract.
  • Tam CU, Yang FQ, Zhang QW, Guan J, Li SP. Optimization and comparison of three methods for extraction of volatile compounds from Cyperus rotundus evaluated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2007;44(2):444-449. View abstract.
  • Thebtaranonth C, Thebtaranonth Y, Wanauppathamkul S, Yuthavong Y. Antimalarial sesquiterpenes from tubers of Cyperus rotundus: structure of 10,12-peroxycalamenene, a sesquiterpene endoperoxide. Phytochemistry. 1995;40(1):125-128. View abstract.
  • Uddin SJ, Mondal K, Shilpi JA, Rahman MT. Antidiarrhoeal activity of Cyperus rotundus. Fitoterapia. 2006;77(2):134-136. View abstract.
  • Xu Y, Zhang HW, Wan XC, Zou ZM. Complete assignments of (1)H and (13)C NMR data for two new sesquiterpenes from Cyperus rotundus L. Magn Reson Chem. 2009; 47(6):527-31. View abstract.
  • Xu Y, Zhang HW, Yu CY, et al. Norcyperone, a novel skeleton norsesquiterpene from Cyperus rotundus L. Molecules. 2008;13(10):2474-2481. View abstract.
  • Yazdanparast R, Ardestani A. In vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of Cyperus rotundus. J Med Food. 2007;10(4):667-674. View abstract.
  • Yu HH, Lee DH, Seo SJ, You YO. Anticariogenic properties of the extract of Cyperus rotundus. Am J Chin Med. 2007;35(3):497-505. View abstract.
  • Zhou Z, Yin W. Two novel phenolic compounds from the rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus L. Molecules. 2012;17(11):12636-41. View abstract.
  • Ardestani A, Yazdanparast R. Cyperus rotundus suppresses AGE formation and protein oxidation in a model of fructose-mediated protein glycoxidation. Int J Biol Macromol. 2007;41(5):572-578. View abstract.
  • Buckley S, Usai D, Jakob T, Radini A, Hardy K. Dental calculus reveals unique insights into food items, cooking and plant processing in prehistoric central Sudan. PLoS One. 2014;9(7):e100808. View abstract.
  • Hu QP, Cao XM, Hao DL, Zhang LL. Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, DNA Damage Protective, Cytotoxic and Antibacterial Activities of Cyperus rotundus Rhizomes Essential Oil against Foodborne Pathogens. Sci Rep. 2017;7:45231. View abstract.
  • Jin JH, Lee DU, Kim YS, Kim HP. Anti-allergic activity of sesquiterpenes from the rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus. Arch Pharm Res. 2011;34(2):223-8. View abstract.
  • Kilani S, Ben Sghaier M, Limem I, et al. In vitro evaluation of antibacterial, antioxidant, cytotoxic and apoptotic activities of the tubers infusion and extracts of Cyperus rotundus. Bioresour Technol. 2008;99(18):9004-9008. View abstract.
  • Kilani S, Ledauphin J, Bouhlel I, et al. Comparative study of Cyperus rotundus essential oil by a modified GC/MS analysis method. Evaluation of its antioxidant, cytotoxic, and apoptotic effects. Chem Biodivers. 2008;5(5):729-742. View abstract.
  • Lemaure B, Touche A, Zbinden I, et al. Administration of Cyperus rotundus tubers extract prevents weight gain in obese Zucker rats. Phytother Res. 2007;21(8):724-730. View abstract.
  • Mohammed GF. Topical Cyperus rotundus oil: a new therapeutic modality with comparable efficacy to Alexandrite laser photo-epilation. Aesthet Surg J. 2014;34(2):298-305. View abstract.
  • Raut NA, Gaikwad NJ. Antidiabetic activity of hydro-ethanolic extract of Cyperus rotundus in alloxan induced diabetes in rats. Fitoterapia. 2006;77(7-8):585-588. View abstract.
  • Sahib AS. Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome using a selected herbal combination of Iraqi folk medicines. J Ethnopharmacol 2013;148(3):1008-12. View abstract.
  • Sayed HM, Mohamed MH, Farag SF, Mohamed GA, Proksch P. A new steroid glycoside and furochromones from Cyperus rotundus L. Nat Prod Res. 2007;21(4):343-350. View abstract.
  • Seo EJ, Lee DU, Kwak JH, et al. Antiplatelet effects of Cyperus rotundus and its component (+)-nootkatone. J Ethnopharmacol. 2011;135(1):48-54. View abstract.
  • Seo WG, Pae HO, Oh GS, et al. Inhibitory effects of methanol extract of Cyperus rotundus rhizomes on nitric oxide and superoxide productions by murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7 cells. J Ethnopharmacol. 2001;76(1):59-64. View abstract.
  • Sharma R, Gupta R. Cyperus rotundus extract inhibits acetylcholinesterase activity from animal and plants as well as inhibits germination and seedling growth in wheat and tomato. Life Sci. 2007;80(24-25):2389-2392. View abstract.
  • Thebtaranonth C, Thebtaranonth Y, Wanauppathamkul S, Yuthavong Y. Antimalarial sesquiterpenes from tubers of Cyperus rotundus: structure of 10,12-peroxycalamenene, a sesquiterpene endoperoxide. Phytochemistry. 1995;40(1):125-128. View abstract.
  • Uddin SJ, Mondal K, Shilpi JA, Rahman MT. Antidiarrhoeal activity of Cyperus rotundus. Fitoterapia. 2006;77(2):134-136. View abstract.
  • Yazdanparast R, Ardestani A. In vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of Cyperus rotundus. J Med Food. 2007;10(4):667-674. View abstract.
  • Yu HH, Lee DH, Seo SJ, You YO. Anticariogenic properties of the extract of Cyperus rotundus. Am J Chin Med. 2007;35(3):497-505. View abstract.

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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 2018.