Dendrobium: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Dendrobium is in the orchid plant family. This type of orchid is native to China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Thailand, Vietnam, and other temperate and tropical Asian regions.

Traditionally, dendrobium plants have been used in Traditional Chinese medicine. Today, dendrobium is showing up in pre-workout supplements used to boost physical and athletic performance, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Some experts are still touting it as a replacement for the stimulant dimethylamylamine (DMAA). But at least one popular dendrobium-containing supplement (Craze, Driven Sports) has been identified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as being adulterated with a stimulant drug.

Dendrobium contains several chemicals. Some of these chemicals might have effects in the body. They might lower blood pressure, increase blood sugar, and reduce pain. They might also increase the chance of seizure. However, none of these effects have been studied in people. Therefore, the effects of dendrobium in people are not clear.

How does it work ?

Dendrobium contains several chemicals. Some of these chemicals might have effects in the body. They might lower blood pressure, increase blood sugar, and reduce pain. They might also increase the chance of seizure. However, none of these effects have been studied in people. Therefore, the effects of dendrobium in people are not clear.

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for

A type of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn disease).
A type of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis).
An eating disorder (anorexia nervosa).
Athletic performance.
Cough.
Dry mouth.
Erectile dysfunction (ED).
Nausea and vomiting.
Stomach pain.
Stomach ulcers.
Swelling (inflammation) of the stomach (gastritis).
Tuberculosis.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of dendrobium for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: There isn't enough information to know if dendrobium is safe or what the side effects might be when taken by mouth.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: There isn't enough information to know if dendrobium is safe or what the side effects might be when taken by mouth.

Pregnancy and Breast-feeding: There isn't enough information to know if dendrobium is safe to take during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Seizures: There is a concern that dendrobium might increase the chance of seizure in some people. Dendrobium contains a chemical that might increase the chance of seizure. If you have ever had a seizure, don't use dendrobium.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Medications used to prevent seizures (Anticonvulsants) interacts with Dendrobium
Medications used to prevent seizures affect chemicals in the brain. Dendrobium might also affect chemicals in the brain in a way that might possibly decrease the effectiveness of medications used to prevent seizures.

Some medications used to prevent seizures include phenobarbital, primidone (Mysoline), valproic acid (Depakene), gabapentin (Neurontin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), and others.
Medications that increase the chance of having a seizure (Seizure threshold lowering drugs) interacts with Dendrobium
Some medications increase the chance of having a seizure. Taking dendrobium might cause seizures in some people. If this combination is taken, it might increase the chance of having a seizure. Do not take dendrobium with medications that increase the chance of having a seizure.

Some medications that increase the chance of having a seizure include anesthesia (propofol, others), antiarrhythmics (mexiletine), antibiotics (amphotericin, penicillin, cephalosporins, imipenem), antidepressants (bupropion, others), antihistamines (cyproheptadine, others), immunosuppressants (cyclosporine), narcotics (fentanyl, others), stimulants (methylphenidate), theophylline, and others.

Minor Interaction

Be watchful with this combination

Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with Dendrobium
Dendrobium might decrease blood pressure. Taking dendrobium along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low.

Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of dendrobium depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for dendrobium. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases. Available at: https://www.ars-grin.gov/duke/.

Danniells S. Dendrobium-containing Craze pre-workout supplement hit with CA class action. Nutraingredients-USA.com, May 21, 2012. Available at: https://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Regulation/Dendrobium-containing-Craze-pre-workout-supplement-hit-with-CA-class-action (Accessed May 23, 2012).

Schultz H. Is DMAA successor dendrobium legit? Questions about the chemistry of dendrobium extract. Functional Ingredients eNewsletter, May 17, 2012. Available at: https://newhope360.com/regulation-and-legislation/dmaa-successor-dendrobium-legit?page=2 (Accessed May 23, 2012).

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Dou MM, Zhang ZH, Li ZB, Zhang J, Zhao XY. Cardioprotective potential of Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo against myocardial ischemia in mice. Mol Med Rep. 2016;14(5):4407-14.

Warning Letter: Driven Sports, Inc 04/04/14. FDA Inspections, Compliance, Enforcement, and Criminal Investigations, April 4, 2014. https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/driven-sports-inc-04042014. Accessed: October 1, 2019.

Liang J, Chen S, Chen J, et al. Therapeutic roles of polysaccharides from Dendrobium Officinale on colitis and its underlying mechanisms. Carbohydr Polym. 2018;185:159-68.

Zeng Q, Ko CH, Siu WS, et al. Polysaccharides of Dendrobium officinale Kimura & Migo protect gastric mucosal cell against oxidative damage-induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. J Ethnopharmacol. 2017;208:214-24.

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Lou XJ, Wang YZ, Lei SS, et al. Beneficial Effects of Macroporous Resin Extract of Dendrobium candidum Leaves in Rats with Hyperuricemia Induced by a High-Purine Diet. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2020;2020:3086106.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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