Euonymus atropurpureus
Spindle bushes are a genus of trees whose trunk, root bark and fruit are used to make medicine.
Despite serious safety concerns, some people use spindle bark for stomach upsets, constipation and water retention. Spindlebush bark is also used as a tonic and to stimulate the flow of bile acids.
How do spindle tree products work?
Spindlebush products may stimulate the digestive tract and affect the heart. However, there is not enough information on how they might work as a medicine.
How effective are spindle tree products?
There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of spindle tree products for constipation, stomach upset and water retention, or when used as a tonic or to stimulate the flow of bile acids. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of spindle tree products in these applications.
Safety and side effects
Spindle bush products are not safe and harmless. Spindle bushes are toxic and can even be fatal. Symptoms of poisoning include severe stomach upset, bloody diarrhea, fever, shortness of breath, unconsciousness, convulsions and coma.
Precautions and warnings
Although spindle bush products are not safe for anyone, certain groups of people are particularly sensitive to their toxic effects and should therefore be especially careful:
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: spindle bush products are not safe and harmless during pregnancy and breastfeeding. They can endanger mother and child.
Diarrhea: Spindle bush products contain caffeine. Caffeine can aggravate diarrhea, especially when taken in large quantities.
Irritable bowel syndrome: Spindleberry products contain caffeine. The caffeine contained in these products may aggravate diarrhea and other symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, especially when taken in large quantities.
Stomach and intestinal problems: Spindle bush products can aggravate stomach and intestinal disorders.
Interactions
Spindlebush products should not be used in combination with the following medications:
One should be cautious when combining spindle bush products with the following medications:
Antibiotics (macrolide antibiotics)
Spindlebush products can affect the heart. Some antibiotics may increase the amount of spindlevine products absorbed by the body. Taking spindle tree products with macrolide antibiotics may increase the effects and side effects of spindle tree products.
Antibiotics (tetracyline antibiotics)
The use of certain antibiotics in combination with spindle bush products could increase the risk of side effects of spindle bush products. Some antibiotics that interact with spindle bush products include demeclocycline, minocycline and tetracycline.
Quinine
Spindlebush products can affect the heart. Quinine can also affect the heart. Taking quinine in conjunction with spindleberry products could cause serious heart problems.
Stimulant laxatives
Spindlebush products are a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives speed up the passage of food through the intestines. Taking spindleberry products in combination with other stimulant laxatives could increase the passage of food through the intestines too much and result in dehydration and low mineral levels in the body.
Diuretics
Spindlebush products can affect the heart. Diuretics can lower potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the risk of side effects from spindle bush products.
Dosage
An appropriate dosage of spindle bush products depends on various factors such as age, health status and others. At this time, there is insufficient scientific data to determine appropriate dosage ranges for spindle bush products. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.