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

Overview

Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) is a flowering plant native to southern China. Its fruit has been used in Asian traditional medicines for centuries.

Gardenia contains a chemical that might reduce insulin resistance and help prevent high blood sugar. Other chemicals in gardenia might reduce swelling and protect the liver.

People use gardenia for diabetes, high blood pressure, insomnia, anxiety, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse gardenia with jasmine. These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for Gardenia overview.

Side Effects

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

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if gardenia is safe. It might cause an allergic skin reaction in some people.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if gardenia is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Stimulant laxatives interacts with Gardenia
Gardenia is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives can cause diarrhea and decrease potassium levels. Taking gardenia with other stimulant laxatives might cause more diarrhea and very low potassium levels.

Dosing

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of gardenia might be. 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 a healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

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Wen-Jun, L., Hai-Yan, W., Wei, L., Ke-Yu, W., and Rui-Ming, W. Evidence that geniposide abrogates norepinephrine-induced hypopigmentation by the activation of GLP-1R-dependent c-kit receptor signaling in melanocyte. J Ethnopharmacol 2008;118(1):154-8.

Peng, C. H., Huang, C. N., and Wang, C. J. The anti-tumor effect and mechanisms of action of penta-acetyl geniposide. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2005;5(4):299-305.

Koo, H. J., Lim, K. H., Jung, H. J., and Park, E. H. Anti-inflammatory evaluation of gardenia extract, geniposide and genipin. J Ethnopharmacol 2006;103(3):496-500.

Xu, G., Gong, Z., Yu, W., Gao, L., He, S., and Qian, Z. Increased expression ratio of Bcl-2/Bax is associated with crocin-mediated apoptosis in bovine aortic endothelial cells. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2007;100(1):31-5.

Xi, L., Qian, Z., Shen, X., Wen, N., and Zhang, Y. Crocetin prevents dexamethasone-induced insulin resistance in rats. Planta Med 2005;71(10):917-922.

Chang, W. L., Wang, H. Y., Shi, L. S., Lai, J. H., and Lin, H. C. Immunosuppressive iridoids from the fruits of Gardenia jasminoides. J Nat Prod 2005;68(11):1683-5.

Kang, J. J., Wang, H. W., Liu, T. Y., Chen, Y. C., and Ueng, T. H. Modulation of cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenases, glutathione and glutathione S-transferase in rat liver by geniposide from Gardenia jasminoides. Food Chem Toxicol 1997;35(10-11):957-65.

Xi, L., Qian, Z., Du, P., and Fu, J. Pharmacokinetic properties of crocin (crocetin digentiobiose ester) following oral administration in rats. Phytomedicine 2007;14(9):633-6.

Zhu, J., Cai, D. H., and Rui, J. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Cape jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides). Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs (China) 2000;31:198-200.

Yamauchi, K., Fujimoto, N., Kuwano, S., Inouye, H., and Inoue, K. The mechanism of purgative action of geniposide, an iridoid glucoside of the fruit of Gardenia, in mice. Planta Med 1976;30(1):39-47.

Lee, S. J., Oh, P. S., and Lim, K. T. Hepatoprotective and hypolipidaemic effects of glycoprotein isolated from Gardenia jasminoides ellis in mice. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2006;33(10):925-33.

Paulsen, E., Skov, P. S., and Andersen, K. E. Immediate skin and mucosal symptoms from pot plants and vegetables in gardeners and greenhouse workers. Contact Dermatitis 1998;39(4):166-170.

Meng, L. and Cui, L. Inhibitory effects of crocetin on high glucose-induced apoptosis in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells and its mechanism. Arch Pharm Res 2008;31(3):357-363.

Debnath T, Park P.-J., Nath NCD, et al. Antioxidant activity of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis fruit extracts. Food Chem 2011;128(3):697-703.

Jarvis CE, DuVal A, Crane PR. GARDENIA JASMINOIDES: A Traditional Chinese Dye Plant Becomes A Garden Ornamental in Europe. Curtis's Botanical Magazine 2014;31(1):80-98.

Mizawa M, Andoh T, Shimizu T. Gardenia fruit-related blue-gray skin pigmentation. JAMA Dermatol. 2020.

Zang C, Liu H, Shang J, et al. Gardenia jasminoides J.Ellis extract GJ-4 alleviated cognitive deficits of APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Phytomedicine 2021;93:153780.

Ren S, Wan Y, Zhu X, et al. Influence of gardenia yellow on in vitro slow starch digestion and its action mechanism. RSC Adv 2022;12(11):6738-47.

Chen XY, Jiang WW, Liu YL, Ma ZX, Dai JQ. Anti-inflammatory action of geniposide promotes wound healing in diabetic rats. Pharm Biol 2022;60(1):294-9.

Zhou H, Zhang S, Chen L, Liu Y, Shen L, Zhang J. Effective Therapeutic Verification of Crocin I, Geniposide, and Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides Ellis) on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In Vivo and In Vitro. Foods 2023;12(8):1668.

Lee JA, Lee SH, Shin MR, Park HJ, Roh SS. Gardeniae Fructus Extract Alleviates Dexamethasone-Induced Muscle Atrophy in Mice. J Med Food 2022;25(9):882-891.

Park SH, Song HK, Ji KY, et al. Topical Administration of Gardenia jasminoides Extract Regulates Th2 Immunity in OVA-Induced Mice. Cells 2023;12(6):941.

Yuan FY, Ju C, Zang CX, et al. Gardenia jasminoides Extract GJ-4 Alleviates Memory Deficiency of Vascular Dementia in Rats through PERK-Mediated Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Pathway. Am J Chin Med 2023;51(1):53-72.

Liu H, Zang C, Shang J, et al. Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis extract GJ-4 attenuates hyperlipidemic vascular dementia in rats via regulating PPAR-?-mediated microglial polarization. Food Nutr Res 2022;66.

Tong T, Fu J, Kong Y. Recurrent Abdominal Pain in a 61-Year-Old Woman. Gastroenterology 2023;164(6):887-890.

De Tollenaere M, Chapuis E, Martinez J, et al. Gardenia jasminoides Extract, with a Melatonin-like Activity, Protects against Digital Stress and Reverses Signs of Aging. Int J Mol Sci 2023;24(5):4948.

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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