Strophanthus hispidus, the hispid strophanthus, is a liana or shrub that can grow up to 5 metres (16 ft) tall. Its flowers feature a yellow corolla and yellow corona lobes spotted with red, purple or brown. The plant has been used as arrow poison. S. hispidus is native to Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon and Democratic Republic of Congo and also naturalized in China.
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Uses
Strophanthus seeds are used to make medicine.
Benefits
Despite serious safety concerns, people take strophanthus for “hardening of the arteries” (arteriosclerosis), heart problems, and high blood pressure.
Cautions
Strophanthus is UNSAFE for use without the direct supervision of a healthcare provider. It can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headache, disturbance of color vision, and heart problems.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It’s UNSAFE to use strophanthus if you are pregnant. It might make the uterus contract, and this could cause a miscarriage. It’s also UNSAFE to use strophanthus if you are breast-feeding.
Heart conditions: Strophanthus may cause irregular heartbeat. Don’t use strophanthus if you have a heart condition, without the direct supervision of a healthcare provider.
Interactions
- Calcium supplements interacts with STROPHANTHUS
Strophanthus can stimulate the heartbeat. Calcium might also affect the heart. Taking strophanthus along with calcium might cause the heart to be too stimulated. Do not take strophanthus along with calcium supplements. - Quinidine interacts with STROPHANTHUS
Strophanthus can affect the heart. Quinidine can also affect the heart. Taking quinidine along with strophanthus might cause serious heart problems. - Quinine interacts with STROPHANTHUS
Strophanthus can affect the heart. Quinine can also affect the heart. Taking quinine along with strophanthus might cause serious heart problems
- Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with STROPHANTHUS
Digoxin (Lanoxin) helps the heart beat more strongly. Strophanthus also seems to affect the heart. Taking strophanthus along with digoxin can increase the effects of digoxin and increase the risk of side effects. Do not take strophanthus if you are taking digoxin (Lanoxin) without talking to your healthcare professional. - Medications for inflammation (Corticosteroids) interacts with STROPHANTHUS
Strophanthus might affect the heart. Some medications for inflammation can decrease potassium in the body. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart and increase the risk of side effects from strophanthus.
Some medications for inflammation include dexamethasone (Decadron), hydrocortisone (Cortef), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisone (Deltasone), and others. - Stimulant laxatives interacts with STROPHANTHUS
Strophanthus 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 strophanthus.
Some stimulant laxatives include bisacodyl (Correctol, Dulcolax), cascara, castor oil (Purge), senna (Senokot), and others. - Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with STROPHANTHUS
Strophanthus 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 strophanthus.
Some “water pills” that can deplete potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Microzide), and others.
Other names
Estrofanto, Graines de Strophantus, Kombe, Kombe-Strophanthus Seeds, Roupellia grata, Strophanthi Grati Semen, Strophanthus caudatus, Strophanthus divaricatus, Strophanthus gratus, Strophanthus hispidus, Strophanthi Kombe Semen, Strophanthus kombe, Strophanthus sarmentosus, Strophanthus Seeds, Strophanthus wallichii, Strophantus, Yang Guo Nau
References
Source: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strophanthus_hispidus