Galphimia Glauca: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Galphimia glauca is a small, evergreen shrub that grows in tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas, including Mexico.

Galphimia glauca might block reactions in the body that cause allergy symptoms. It might also reduce anxiety and have sedative effects.

People use Galphimia glauca for hay fever, anxiety, asthma, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

A type of persistent anxiety marked by exaggerated worry and tension (generalized anxiety disorder or GAD). Taking galphimia glauca by mouth seems to improve anxiety in people with GAD.

There is interest in using Galphimia glauca for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Galphimia glauca is possibly safe when used short-term. Side effects might include tiredness, nausea, and headache.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Galphimia glauca is possibly safe when used short-term. Side effects might include tiredness, nausea, and headache.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Galphimia glauca 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

Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with Galphimia Glauca
Galphimia glauca might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking Galphimia glauca with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.

Dosing

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of Galphimia glauca 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:

Perusquia M, Mendoza S, Bye R, et al. Vasoactive effects of aqueous extracts from five Mexican medicinal plants on isolated rat aorta. J Ethnopharmacol 1995;46:63-9.

Herrera-Arellano, A., Jimenez-Ferrer, E., Zamilpa, A., et al. Efficacy and tolerability of a standardized herbal product from Galphimia glauca on generalized anxiety disorder. A randomized, double-blind clinical trial controlled with lorazepam. Planta Med 2007;73(8):713-7.

Herrera-Ruiz, M., Jimenez-Ferrer, J. E., De Lima, T. C., et al. Anxiolytic and antidepressant-like activity of a standardized extract from Galphimia glauca. Phytomedicine 2006;13(1-2):23-8.

Herrera-Ruiz, M., Gonzalez-Cortazar, M., Jimenez-Ferrer, E., et al. Anxiolytic effect of natural galphimines from Galphimia glauca and their chemical derivatives. J Nat Prod 2006;69(1):59-61.

Campos, M. G., Toxqui, E., Tortoriello, J., et al. Galphimia glauca organic fraction antagonizes LTD(4)-induced contraction in guinea pig airways. J Ethnopharmacol 2001;74(1):7-15.

Tortoriello, J. and Ortega, A. Sedative effect of galphimine B, a nor-seco-triterpenoid from Galphimia glauca. Planta Med 1993;59(5):398-400.

Aguilar-Santamaria, L., Ramirez, G., Herrera-Arellano, A., et al. Toxicological and cytotoxic evaluation of standardized extracts of Galphimia glauca. J Ethnopharmacol 2007;109(1):35-40.

del Rayo Camacho M., Phillipson J. D., Croft S. L., et al. Assessment of the antiprotozoal activity of Galphimia glauca and the isolation of new nor-secofriedelanes and nor-friedelanes. J Nat Prod 2002;65(10):1457-61.

Neszmelyi, A., Kreher, B., Muller, A., Dorsch, W., and Wagner, H. Tetragalloylquinic acid, the major antiasthmatic principle of Galphimia glauca. Planta Med 1993;59(2):164-7.

Tortoriello, J. and Lozoya, X. Effect of Galphimia glauca methanolic extract on neuropharmacological tests. Planta Med 1992;58(3):234-236.

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Osuna, L., Pereda-Miranda, R., Tortoriello, J., and Villarreal, M. L. Production of the sedative triterpene galphimine B in Galphimia glauca tissue culture. Planta Med 1999;65(2):149-152.

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Sultana T, Stecher G, Abel G, Popp M, and Bonn GK. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of multiple galloyl derivatives of quinic acid from the medicinal plant Galphimia glauca Cav. using HPLC-ESI-MS (abstract). Planta Medica 2007;73(9):P306.

Dorsch, W., Bittinger, M., Kaas, A., Muller, A., Kreher, B., and Wagner, H. Antiasthmatic effects of Galphimia glauca, gallic acid, and related compounds prevent allergen- and platelet-activating factor-induced bronchial obstruction as well as bronchial hyperreactivity in guinea pigs. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 1992;97(1):1-7.

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