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Jaborandi Tree Herb - Uses And Side Effects

Jaborandi or pilocarpus refers to leaves of Pilocarpus jaborandi (Pernambuco jaborandi), P. microphyllus (Maranham jaborandi), or P. pinnatifolius (Paraguay jaborandi). The plant is native to northern and northeastern Brazil.

Common doses of Jaborandi Tree

Leaves from the jaborandi tree come as a powder, an essential oil, a fluid extract, and a tincture. Pilocarpine, the herb's main active ingredient, is available in many prescription products, including:

• tablets (5 milligrams)
• eye medications ranging from 0.25% to 10% solutions, a 4%-solution gel, and eye inserts of 20 micrograms and 40 micrograms.

• For glaucoma. 1 to 2 drops applied three or four times daily. (See the pilocarpine package insert for specific dosage information.)
• For dry mouth, 15 to 30 milligrams taken orally daily (100 milligrams orally is considered a fatal dose.).
• For general daily use, powdered leaves, 5 to 60 grains (0.324 to 3.9 grams); fluid extract, 10 to 30 drops; or tincture, 1/2 to 1 dram (1.75 to 3 milliliters).

Uses of Jaborandi Tree herb

• Baldness
• Deafnees
• Diabetes
• Dry mouth
• Fluid retention
• Glaucoma
• Pleurisy (inflammation of the lung sac)
• Psoriasis (scaly, raised skin patches)
• Rheumatism
• Syphilis
• To induce sweating
• To make the pupils contract (as for treating glaucoma)
• Tonsillits
• To stimulate saliva secretion

Side effects of Jaborandi Tree

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

• headache
• sweating
• nausea
• vision changes
• salivation
• vomiting
• slow pulse
• watery eyes

Jaborandi tree may cause pilocarpine poisoning, which leads to symptoms such as headache, vision problems, increased eye tearing, sweating, labored breathing, stomach spasms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and an unusually fast or slow pulse. In extreme cases, pulmonary edema and shock may occur.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about other drugs you're taking, especially:

• Antilirium
• other substances that act like this herb (such as arecoline, methacholine, and muscarine)
• Aricept
• heart drugs called beta blockers, such as Inderal
• Tensilon.
• other prescription drugs that contain pilocarpine

Don't use jaborandi tree when taking:

• atropine
• iron-containing preparations
• Atrovent
• Transderm-Scop.
• heart drugs called cardiac glycosides, such as Lanoxin

Important paints to remember

• Don't take jaborandi tree if you're allergic to pilocarpine or if you have uncontrolled asthma, acute inflammation of the iris, or angle-closure glaucoma.
• Avoid this herb if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.
• Don't take large doses because this herb can damage your liver, especially if you already have liver disease.
• Check with your health care practitioner before using jaborandi tree, especially if you have serious heart or blood vessel disease, a mental or psychiatric disorder, abnormality of the urinary or genital tract, gallstones, or kidney stones.
• Be aware that excessive sweating may lead to dehydration if you don't drink plenty of fluids while using jaborandi tree.
• Immediately report pain in your upper right torso, jaundice, and fever. These are symptoms of liver injury.
• Know that this herb may cause vision changes, especially at night, that reduce your ability to drive safely.

What the research shows

Pilocarpine, which comes from jaborandi tree, is a welldocumented treatment for glaucoma and dry mouth. However, researchers haven't tested unprocessed jaborandi leaves for any therapeutic use.

Other names for Jaborandi Tree: -

Other names for jaborandi tree Other names for jaborandi tree include arruda brava, arruda do mato, indian hemp, jaborandi, jamguarandi, juarandi, pernambuco jaborandi, and Pilocarpus jaborandi.

Products containing jaborandi tree are sold under such names as Jaborandi, Wonder Gel, and X-Tablets.