Digitalis purpurea (foxglove, common foxglove, purple foxglove or lady’s glove) is a species of flowering plant in the genus Digitalis, in the family Plantaginaceae, native and widespread throughout most of temperate Europe. It is also naturalised in parts of North America and some other temperate regions.
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Uses
- Digoxigenin (DIG) is a steroid found exclusively in the flowers and leaves of the plants Digitalis purpurea and Digitalis lanata. It is used as a molecular probe to detect DNA or RNA. It can easily be attached to nucleotides by chemical modifications. DIG molecules are often linked to uridine nucleotides; DIG-labeled uridine (DIG-U) can then be incorporated into RNA probes via in vitro transcription. Once hybridisation occurs in situ, RNA probes with the incorporated DIG-U can be detected with anti-DIGantibodies conjugated to alkaline phosphatase. To reveal the hybridised transcripts, alkaline phosphatase can be reacted with a chromogen to produce a coloured precipitate.
Benefits
Foxglove is used for congestive heart failure (CHF) and relieving associated fluid retention (edema); irregular heartbeat, including atrial fibrillation and “flutter;” asthma;epilepsy; tuberculosis; constipation; headache; and spasm. It is also used to causevomiting and for healing wounds and burns.
Cautions
- Digitalis purpurea is UNSAFE for anyone to take by mouth without the advice and care of a healthcare professional. Some people are especially sensitive to the toxic side effects of Digitalis purpurea and should be extra careful to avoid use.
Digitalis purpurea can cause irregular heart function and death. Signs of foxglove poisoning include stomach upset, small eye pupils, blurred vision, strong slow pulse, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, excessive urination, fatigue, muscle weakness and tremors, stupor, confusion, convulsions, abnormal heartbeats, and death. Long-term use of foxglove can lead to symptoms of toxicity, including visual halos, yellow-green vision, and stomach upset.
Interactions
- Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with Digitalis purpurea
Digoxin (Lanoxin) helps the heart beat more strongly. Digitalis also seems to affect the heart. Taking digitalis along with digoxin can increase the effects of digoxin and increase the risk of side effects. Do not take digitalis if you are taking digoxin (Lanoxin) without talking to your healthcare professional. - Quinine interacts with Digitalis purpurea
Digitalis can affect the heart. Quinine can also affect the heart. Taking quinine along with digitalis might cause serious heart problems. - Antibiotics (Macrolide antibiotics) interacts with Digitalis purpurea
Digitalis can affect the heart. Some antibiotics might increase how much digitalis the body absorbs. Increasing how much digitalis the body absorbs might increase the effects and side effects of digitalis.
Some antibiotics called macrolide antibiotics include erythromycin, azithromycin, and clarithromycin. - Antibiotics (Tetracycline antibiotics) interacts with Digitalis purpurea
Taking some antibiotics called tetracyclines with digitalis might increase the chance of side effects from digitalis.
Some tetracyclines include demeclocycline (Declomycin), minocycline (Minocin), and tetracycline (Achromycin). - Stimulant laxatives interacts with Digitalis purpurea
Digitalis can affect the heart. The heart uses potassium. Laxatives called stimulant laxatives can decrease potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the chance of side effects from digitalis.
Some stimulant laxatives include bisacodyl (Correctol, Dulcolax), cascara, castor oil (Purge), senna (Senokot), and others. - Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with Digitalis purpurea
Digitalis might affect the heart. “Water pills” can decrease potassium in the body. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart and increase the risk of side effects from digitalis.
Some “water pills” that can deplete potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Microzide), and others.
Other names
Dé de Bergère, Dead Man’s Bells, Digitale, Digitale Laineuse, Digitale Pourpre, Digitale Pourprée, Digitalis lanata, Doigtier, Fairy Cap, Fairy Finger, Foxglove, Gant-de-Bergère, Gant-de-Notre-Dame, Gantelée, Gantière, Grande Digitale, Lady’s Thimble, Lion’s Mouth, Purple Foxglove, Scotch Mercury, Throatwort, Witch’s Bells, Woolly Foxglove
References
Source: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digitalis_purpurea