Carphephorus odoratissimus

Carphephorus odoratissimus (Deertongue) is a plant whose dried leaves are used to make medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, Carphephorus odoratissimus is used to treat malaria. In the industrial manufacturing sector, Carphephorus odoratissimus is used as a flavoring agent for tobacco, as a fragrance in cosmetics and soap, and as a fixative in some products.

How does Carphephorus odoratissimus work?

Carphephorus odoratissimus contains coumarins - chemicals that thin the blood and can damage the liver. It is not known how Carphephorus odoratissimus might work as a medicine.

How effective is Carphephorus odoratissimus?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of Carphephorus odoratissimus in the treatment of malaria. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of Carphephorus odoratissimus in this disease.

Safety and side effects

Carphephorus odoratissimus is not safe or harmless. There are concerns that Carphephorus odoratissimus may cause liver damage and bleeding.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use Carphephorus odoratissimus as this plant contains chemicals that can cause liver damage and bleeding. Allergies to broomweed and related plants: Carphephorus odoratissimus may cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this plant family include broomsedge, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies and many others. If you suffer from allergies, you should consult your doctor before taking Carphephorus odoratissimus.

Operations: Carphephorus odoratissimus could slow down blood clotting. There are concerns that this could increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. For this reason, the use of Carphephorus odoratissimus should be stopped at least 2 weeks before planned operations.

Interactions

Care should be taken when combining Carphephorus odoratissimus with the following medications:

Medications that slow down blood clotting

Carphephorus odoratissimus could slow down blood clotting. Taking Carphephorus odoratissimus in conjunction with medicines that also slow down blood clotting could increase the risk of bleeding and the tendency to bruise. Some medications that can slow blood clotting include aspirin, diclofenac (Voltaren), ibuprofen, naproxen and others.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of Carphephorus odoratissimus depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to be able to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for Carphephorus odoratissimus. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.