Dodder Interactions Overview

Check For Interactions With Dodder

Dodder

Also known as
  • Cuscuta campestris
  • Cuscuta epithymum
  • Cuscuta chinensis
  • Afteemoon
  • Aftimoun
  • Aftimun
  • Atermoyer
  • Beggarweed
  • Chinese Dodder
  • Cuscuta
  • Cuscute
  • Devil's Guts
  • Dodder of Thyme
  • Field Dodder
  • Hellweed
  • Japanese Dedder
  • Lesser Dodder
  • Petite Cuscute
  • Scaldweed
  • Strangle Tare
Dodder Dodder is a parasitic plant that grows on other plants, taking water and nutrients from its host. It does not have leaves or roots of its own and appears as thin, yellow-orange, tangled vines. It can affect a wide range of plants including crops, vegetables, and ornamental plants. Dodder seeds are used in traditional medicine as a supplement. They are believed to have various health benefits, including boosting energy levels, improving blood circulation, and reducing inflammation. They are also used to treat conditions like weakness, fatigue, and impotence.
There are 0 drugs known to interact with Dodder

Additional Details

Is Dodder Safe? Are There Any Warnings?

Dodder is considered possibly safe when used orally and appropriately for short-term durations. Dodder seed extract has been used safely at doses of up to 2 grams daily for up to 15 days, while the powder of dodder aerial parts has been used safely at doses of up to 2 grams daily for up to 8 weeks. However, there is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of higher doses or long-term use of dodder. Pregnant and lactating women should avoid using dodder due to a lack of reliable information on its safety.

Pharmacokinetics

Insufficient reliable information is available about the pharmacokinetics of dodder.

Mechanism of Action

Dodder is a parasitic plant that has several potentially beneficial constituents in its above ground parts, including flavonoids like quercetin, kaempferol, hyperoside, and rutin, as well as sesamin, swarnalin, cuscutic acids, cuscutamine, and cuscutic resinoside A. These constituents contribute to various potential mechanisms of action:

  • Anticancer effects: Dodder has demonstrated anticancer effects in animal and in vitro models, resulting in a reduced incidence of tumors and decreased cell proliferation. The exact mechanisms of action are not known, but the antioxidant effects of dodder constituents may contribute to its anticancer activity.
  • Antioxidant effects: Dodder has shown antioxidant effects in vitro and in animal models, contributing to its potential antimicrobial and hepatoprotective activity.
  • Hepatoprotective effects: Dodder has demonstrated hepatoprotective effects in animal models, possibly through its antioxidant activity.
  • Laxative effects: Dodder is reported to have laxative effects.
  • Neurologic effects: Dodder has potential neuroprotective effects and may aid in psychiatric conditions such as depression. Its neuroprotective actions may be linked to neuronal differentiation and increased acetylcholinesterase activity, as well as modulation of hormonal levels.
  • Renal effects: Dodder seed extract has shown improvement in renal function measures in an animal model of acute renal failure.

While these mechanisms are suggested based on limited research, further studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms of action of dodder.

Interactions with Drugs

There are no known interactions between dodder and drugs.

Interactions with Supplements

There are no known interactions between dodder and supplements.

Common Side Effects to Watch For

Orally, dodder is generally well tolerated. However, high doses may cause intestinal colic and diarrhea.

Are Supplements Standardized?

There is insufficient reliable information available regarding the standardization of dodder supplements.

Please note that further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of dodder for various uses. The available evidence is currently insufficient.

Drugs that interact with Dodder

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Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

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