Overview
People use sweet vernal grass pollen combined with other grass pollens in a tablet placed under the tongue. This tablet is FDA-approved for the treatment of hay fever in people with grass pollen allergies.
Despite serious safety concerns, people take dried sweet vernal grass by mouth for headache, nausea, sleeplessness, and conditions of the urinary tract, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In foods, sweet vernal grass is used as a flavoring agent, including in Russian brandies.
How does it work ?
Uses & Effectiveness
Likely Effective for
- Hay fever. An FDA-approved prescription product (Oralair) containing sweet vernal grass, orchard grass, perennial rye grass, Timothy grass, and Kentucky blue grass pollen extracts can reduce allergy symptoms in people with grass pollen allergies.
Insufficient Evidence for
- Headache.
- Nausea.
- Sleeplessness.
- Urinary tract problems.
- Other conditions.
Side Effects
However, dried sweet vernal grass is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken in large quantities. It contains a chemical that can slow blood clotting. In addition, sweet vernal grass can cause dizziness, headaches, and liver problems.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if sweet vernal grass is safe or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions and Warnings
However, dried sweet vernal grass is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken in large quantities. It contains a chemical that can slow blood clotting. In addition, sweet vernal grass can cause dizziness, headaches, and liver problems.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if sweet vernal grass is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's POSSIBLY SAFE to place a specific FDA-approved prescription medication under the tongue while pregnant. This product contains a mixture of sweet vernal grass pollen and other grass pollens. It's LIKELY UNSAFE to take dried sweet vernal grass by mouth if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. It contains a chemical that might slow blood clotting.
Surgery: Dried sweet vernal grass taken by mouth might slow blood clotting. There is concern that it might cause extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using dried sweet vernal grass at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with SWEET VERNAL GRASS
Dried sweet vernal grass taken by mouth can slow blood clotting. Taking dried sweet vernal grass along with medications that also slow clotting can increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.
Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
Dosing
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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.