Asarum

Category

Herbs & Supplements

Synonyms

Aristolochic acid, aristolochic acid I, Aristolochiaceae (family), Aristolochia fangchi, asarin, asarinin, asarone, asaroun, Asarum arifolium, Asarumcanadense, Asarum caudigerellum, Asarum caudigerum, Asarum europeum L., Asarum forbesii Maxim., Asarum hartwegii, Asarumheterotropoides var. mandshuricum, Asarum himalaicum, Asarum lemmonii, Asarum longerhizomatosum, Asarum marmoratum, Asarum naniflorum, Asarum sieboldii Miq., Asiasari radix, azarum, beta-sitosterol, broad-leaved asarabacca, black snakeroot, British Columbia wild ginger, Canada snakeroot, eucarvone, false coltsfoot, fang ji, Hartweg's wild ginger, hazlewort, Indian ginger, kakuol, little jug, long tail wild ginger, long-tailed wild ginger, ma dou ling, mandshuricum, marbled wild ginger, methyleugenol, mu tong, mu xiang, myristicin, N-isobutyldodecatetraenamide, naringenin, pentadecane, phenylpropanol, pluviatilol, public house plant, safrole, sangree root, sangrel, serpentaria, serpentary, sesamin, snakeroot, trans-aconitic acid, trans-isoasarone, trans-isomethyleugenol, wild ginger, wild nard, wild spikenard, xiexin, xi-xin, xixin.

Note: The Aristolochiaceae plant family contains many plant species thought to have medicinal properties. Although the plants in this family may share similar constituents, Asarum species are the focus of this monograph (except where noted). Aristolochia species are discussed in a separate monograph.

Note: Avoid confusion with bitter milkwort (Polygala amara) or senega (Polygala senega), as both are also known as snakeroot.

Background

Asarum is known commonly as wild ginger and is in the Asarum genus, which consists of about 60 species of perennial woodland herbs. Asarum is a member of the Aristolochiaceae (birthwort) family.

Asarum has been administered by those trained in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for centuries as a pain relieving, anesthetic, fever inducing, antitussive, sweat promoting, diuretic (increasing urine flow), and hypotensive (blood pressure lowering) herb. Asarum has been applied on the skin to reduce premature ejaculation; however, more research is needed to assess asarum's effect on sexual dysfunction. Asarum europaeum has been used homeopathically for anxiety, excitability, nervousness, or melancholy.

Asarum does not seem well tolerated in humans, except as a homeopathic agent. Aristolochic acid found in asarum has been reported to cause severe kidney failure resulting in dialysis, transplant, and death. Aristolochic acid may also be carcinogenic (cancer-causing).

Evidence

DISCLAIMER: These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Tradition

WARNING: DISCLAIMER: The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.
Abortifacient, amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), analgesia (pain-reliever), anesthetic, antifungal, antioxidant, antipyretic (reduces fever), antitussive, bronchitis, cancer, conjunctivitis, diaphoretic (promotes sweating), diarrhea, diuretic (increases urine flow), emetic (induces vomiting), expectorant (expels phlegm), eye strain/fatigue, flatulence (gas), gastrointestinal disorders, headache, homeopathy, human papillomavirus, hypertension (high blood pressure), menstrual cramps, nausea, pain, premature ejaculation, rheumatism, sinusitis, stimulant, toothache, uterine stimulant.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)

Based on the available scientific evidence, no dose has been proven safe or effective. In general, 20-30 grains of asarum powder 2-3 times a day (not for long-term use) has been used. 0.5oz. of powdered root in 1 pint of boiling water, 2-3 times daily, for a short-term duration has been used. To induce vomiting, 0.5-1 drachms as an individual dose has been used.

Children (younger than 18 years)

There is not enough scientific evidence to safely recommend the use of asarum in children.

Safety

DISCLAIMER: Many complementary techniques are practiced by healthcare professionals with formal training, in accordance with the standards of national organizations. However, this is not universally the case, and adverse effects are possible. Due to limited research, in some cases only limited safety information is available.

Allergies

Avoid in individuals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to asarum, its constituents, or related plants in the Aristolochiaceae family.

Side Effects and Warnings

In general, it appears that asarum is not well tolerated in humans except as a homeopathic agent. Aristolochic acid found in asarum has been reported to cause severe renal (kidney) failure resulting in dialysis, transplant, and death.

Mild contact dermatitis was reported in an individual using Indian God Lotion®, a topical spray containing asarum root extract (0.2%), isopropyl alcohol, water, and perfume.

Asarum may reduce blood levels of zinc.

Avoid in individuals with existing renal (kidney) dysfunction or renal disease.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Asarum is not recommended in pregnant or breastfeeding women due to a lack of available scientific evidence.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs

Aristolochic acid found in asarum has been reported to cause renal (kidney) damage resulting in dialysis, transplant, or death. Patients taking any medications that may be damaging to the kidneys, or any that are excreted through the kidneys, should consult with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist.

Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements

Aristolochic acid found in asarum has been reported to cause renal (kidney) damage resulting in dialysis, transplant, or death. Patients taking any herbs and supplements that may be damaging to the kidneys, or any that are excreted through the kidneys, should consult with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist.

Asarum may reduce blood levels of zinc. Thus, asarum may interact with zinc supplements or multi-vitamin supplements. Caution is advised.

Attribution

This patient information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com): J. Kathryn Bryan, BA (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Molly Davis, PharmD (University of Rhode Island); Nicole Giese, MS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); William Hamilton, PharmD (Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions); Ernest B. Hawkins, MS, RPh (Health Education Resources); Toni Schaeffer, PhD, PharmD (Albany College of Pharmacy); Shaina Tanguay-Colucci, BS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Wendy Weissner, BA (Natural Standard Research Collaboration).

Bibliography

DISCLAIMER: Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

Cosyns JP. Aristolochic acid and 'Chinese herbs nephropathy': a review of the evidence to date. Drug Saf 2003;26(1):33-48.

Deng Y, Feng Y, Sun J, et al. [Study on anti-HPV activity of Asarum heterotropoides]. Zhong.Yao Cai. 2004;27(9):665-667.

Han Y, Kwon EH, Kim SJ. Protection of brain cells against AMPA-induced damage by Asiasari Radix extracts. Phytother Res 2003;17(8):882-886.

Hashimoto K, Higuchi M, Makino B, et al. Quantitative analysis of aristolochic acids, toxic compounds, contained in some medicinal plants. J Ethnopharmacol. 1999;64(2):185-189.

Jong TT, Lee MR, Hsiao SS, et al. Analysis of aristolochic acid in nine sources of Xixin, a traditional Chinese medicine, by liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/tandem mass spectrometry. J Pharm Biomed.Anal. 11-24-2003;33(4):831-837.

Kim SJ, Gao Zhang C, Taek Lim J. Mechanism of anti-nociceptive effects of Asarum sieboldii Miq. radix: potential role of bradykinin, histamine and opioid receptor-mediated pathways. J Ethnopharmacol. 2003;88(1):5-9.

Lee JY, Moon SS, Hwang BK. Isolation and antifungal activity of kakuol, a propiophenone derivative from Asarum sieboldii rhizome. Pest.Manag.Sci 2005;61(8):821-825.

Lord GM, Tagore R, Cook T, et al. Nephropathy caused by Chinese herbs in the UK. Lancet 8-7-1999;354(9177):481-482.

Ming HX, Liu JJ, Huang SZ. [Influence of single leaf Asarum himalaicum on renal function of rabbits]. Zhong.Xi.Yi.Jie.He.Xue.Bao. 2004;2(3):199-202.

Nortier JL, Martinez MC, Schmeiser HH, et al. Urothelial carcinoma associated with the use of a Chinese herb (Aristolochia fangchi). N.Engl.J Med 6-8-2000;342(23):1686-1692.

Schaneberg BT, Khan IA. Analysis of products suspected of containing Aristolochia or Asarum species. J.Ethnopharmacol. 2004;94(2-3):245-249.

Schaneberg BT, Applequist WL, Khan I. A. Determination of aristolochic acid I and II in North American species of Asarum and Aristolochia. Pharmazie 2002;57(10):686-689.

Stengel B, Jones E. [End-stage renal insufficiency associated with Chinese herbal consumption in France]. Nephrologie 1998;19(1):15-20.

Zhang F, Wang LX, Luo Q, et al. [Analysis of volatile constituents of root and rhizome of Asarum heterotropoides Fr. var. mandshuricum (Maxim.) Kitag. by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry]. Se.Pu. 2002;20(5):467-470.

Zhang LW, Wang JS, Jiang CQ. [Spectrophotomatric determination of antioxidative activity of extractives of Chinese traditional medicine by supercritical fluid CO2 extraction technology]. Guang.Pu.Xue.Yu Guang.Pu.Fen.Xi. 2004;24(9):1103-1105.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.