Sympathomimetic Herbs

Summary

Sympathomimetic Herbs

introduction:
Herbs in this group produce physiological adrenomimetic activity when administered at therapeutic doses. Action at adrenoreceptors by herbal preparations is less selective for receptor subtype than with pharmaceutical drugs, and usually includes both alpha and beta adrenergic actions (e.g., vasoconstriction and bronchodilation, CNS stimulation).

Several plants, including food and medicinal species (e.g., barley, ginger, mandarin orange) contain compounds that have been shown experimentally to have a degree of sympathomimetic activity in isolation and at concentrations that do not correlate with clinical doses of whole plant extract or dietary usage. These species are not included here.

Note: Sympathomimetic herbs are grouped by some authors with other types of herbal central nervous stimulants such as those containing xanthines, here treated as a separate group: see Xanthine-containing Herbs.

overview of interactions:
• herb affecting drug toxicity: Epinephrine

• herbal synergy concerns: Hypertensive and Tachycardic Herbs

• herb affecting drug toxicity: Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors

• herbal synergy concerns: MAO Inhibitor Herbs

• herbal synergy concerns: Vasoconstrictor Herbs

• herbal synergy concerns: Xanthine-containing Herbs



Herbs

herb affecting drug toxicity: Epinephrine

• mechanism: Sympathomimetic herbs may additively interact with adrenomimetics to further elevate catecholamine levels.

herb affecting drug toxicity: Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors

• mechanism: Sympathomimetic herbs may additively interact with MAO inhibiting drugs to further elevate catecholamine levels.

herbal synergy concerns:
Indirect interaction with other herbs may take place through various physiologic mechanisms with herbs from the following groups including:
• MAO Inhibitor Herbs
• Vasoconstrictor Herbs
• Hypertensive and Tachycardic Herbs
• Xanthine-containing Herbs

Common herbs with sympathomimetic activity:
• Capsicum spp. (Capsicum)
• Ephedra sinica (Ma Huang)

Restricted and unusual herbs with sympathomimetic activity:
• Cytisus scoparius (Scotch Broom)
• Pausinystalia yohimbe (Yohimbe)
• Lobelia inflata (Lobelia)
(Lobelia contains nicotinic alkaloids which stimulate all autonomic ganglia, hence combining sympathomimetic and parasympathomimetic activities.)

Please read the disclaimer concerning the intent and limitations of the information provided here.
Do not rely solely on the information in this article.

The information presented in Interactions is for informational and educational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, case reports, and/or traditional usage with sources as cited in each topic. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals and different individuals with the same medical conditions with the same symptoms will often require differing treatments. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with conventional medical therapies, including prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications, is also available. Consult your physician, an appropriately trained healthcare practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health concern or medical problem before using any herbal products or nutritional supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications and/or before attempting to independently treat a medical condition using supplements, herbs, remedies, or other forms of self-care.


References

Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. Second edition. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Institute Inc, 1998.

DeSmet PAG, et al. (eds.) Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 3. NY: Springer Verlag, 1997.

DeSmet PAG, et al. (eds.) Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 2 . NY: Springer Verlag, 1993

Hardman J, et al. (eds.) Goodman &Gilman's Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. Ninth Edition. McGraw Hill, 1996.

McGuffin M, et al. (eds.) AHPA Botanical Safety Handbook. CRC Press, 1997

Mills SY. Out of the Earth: The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine. London: Arkana, 1991.

Newall C, Anderson L, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.