Home :: Gossypol

Gossypol Herb - Uses And Side Effects

Gossypol comes from seeds, roots, and stems of the cotton plant, Gossypium hirsutum, which grows throughout the southern United States. Seeds of the Gossypium species vary widely in their gossypol content.

In other uses, gossypol is processed out of commercial cottonseed oil. Some people consider gossYPol-free cottonseed flour a low-cost, abundant protein source. The flour is used in baked goods, snacks, and livestock feed. Chinese studies conducted in the 1950s first identified gossypol as an antifertility drug.

Common doses of gossypol

Gossypol is available as an extract. Some experts recommend the following dose:

• As a male contraceptive, 20 milligrams taken daily for 60 to 90 days until the sperm count drops to a threshold of 4 million sperm per milliliter; then maintenance doses of approximately 50 milligrams weekly.

Uses of gossypol herb

Specifically, gossypol may help to :-

• To aid labor and delivery
• To prevent pregnancy
• To promote normal menstruation

Side effects of gossypol

Call your health care practitioner if you experience any of these possible side effects of gossypol:

• diarrhea
• hair discoloration
• rapid muscle fatigue, muscle weakness, and paralysis.

This herb also can cause:

• circulation problems
• heart failure
• kidney damage (with high doses)
• malnutrition
• too little potassium in the blood.

Cotton seeds are potentially toxic and may cause death. Domesticated animals have been poisoned by feed containing cotton seeds.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Don't use gossypol while taking diuretics such as Lasix or drugs that can cause kidney damage.

Important paints to remember

• Don't use gossypol if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.
• If you have kidney disease, check with your health care practitioner before using this herb.
• If you're thinking of using gossypol for birth control, know that proven contra ceptive alternatives are available.
• Be aware that long term gossypol use may cause permanent infertility.

What the research shows

Gossypol shows promise as an oral contraceptive for men and as a vaginal spermicide in women. However, the oral preparation may cause permanent sterility. Scientists must conduct more studies to determine an appropriate dose and administration route and to track side effects. Women who are considering using gossypol as a vaginal spermicide should keep in mind that researchers haven't thoroughly studied the herb's safety and effectiveness.

Other names for gossypol: -

Other names for gossypol include American upland cotton, common cotton, cotton, upland cotton, and wild cotton.