Overview
People use zizyphus for conditions such as diabetes, high levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia), insomnia, and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In manufacturing, zizyphus extracts are used in skin care products.
How does it work ?
Uses & Effectiveness ?
Insufficient Evidence for
- Constipation. Early research shows that taking zizyphus reduces symptoms of constipation such as bloating, stomach pain, and difficulty having a bowel movement in adults.
- High levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia). Early research shows that taking zizyphus can lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol in teens with high cholesterol. However, zizyphus doesn't seem to improve levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL or "good") cholesterol.
- Yellowing of the skin in infants (neonatal jaundice). Giving zizyphus to infants with jaundice doesn't seem to reduce skin yellowing, but it might shorten the length of time in the hospital.
- Aging skin.
- Anxiety.
- Asthma.
- Bruises.
- Cancer.
- Diabetes.
- Diarrhea.
- Dry skin.
- Fatigue.
- High blood pressure.
- Insomnia.
- Itching.
- Liver disease.
- Low levels of red blood cells in people with a long-term illness (anemia of chronic disease).
- Muscle strength.
- Seizure disorder (epilepsy).
- Stimulating appetite.
- Stomach ulcers.
- Stress.
- Sunburn.
- Wound healing.
- Other conditions.
Side Effects
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if zizyphus is safe or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions and Warnings
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if zizyphus is safe or what the side effects might be. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if zizyphus is safe to use in medicinal amounts when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.
Diabetes: Zizyphus might lower blood sugar. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar closely.
Latex allergy: People who are allergic to latex might also be allergic to zizyphus.
Surgery: Zizyphus might lower blood sugar and interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Zizyphus might also slow down the central nervous system. Anesthesia and other medications used during surgery also affect the central nervous system. Stop taking zizyphus at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions ?
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with ZIZYPHUS
Zizyphus might lower blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking zizyphus along with these medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, metformin (Glucophage), pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with ZIZYPHUS
Zizyphus might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking zizyphus along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness. Taking zizyphus along with sedative medications used in surgery might cause prolonged sedation.
Some sedative medications include pentobarbital (Nembutal), phenobarbital (Luminal), secobarbital (Seconal), thiopental (Pentothal), fentanyl (Duragesic, Sublimaze), morphine, propofol (Diprivan), and others.Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates) interacts with ZIZYPHUS
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Zizyphus might increase how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. Taking zizyphus at the same time as these medications might decrease their effectiveness. Before taking zizyphus, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some of these medications that are changed by the liver include amitriptyline (Elavil), caffeine, chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clomipramine (Anafranil), clopidogrel (Plavix), clozapine (Clozaril), cyclobenzaprine (Flexaril), desipramine (Norpramin), diazepam (Valium), estradiol (Estrace, others), flutamide (Eulexin), fluvoxamine (Luvox), grepafloxacin (Raxar), haloperidol (Haldol), imipramine (Tofranil), mexiletine (Mexitil), mirtazapine (Remeron), naproxen (Naprosyn), nortriptyline (Pamelor), olanzapine (Zyprexa), ondansetron (Zofran), propafenone (Rythmol), propranolol (Inderal), riluzole (Rilutek), ropinirole (Requip), ropivacaine (Naropin), tacrine (Cognex), theophylline (Theo-Dur, others), verapamil (Calan, Covera-HS, others), warfarin (Coumadin), and zileuton (Zyflo).
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.
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