Oleander herbal interactions and oleander use with multiple sclerosis

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In regards to the questions of oleander interactions with other herbs and the advisability of using it if a person suffers from multiple sclerosis I have received the following replies:From Marc Swanepoel:

1. I have one client (age 51) with advanced MS who has been taking the S/OPC for the last 10 months. She first used the liquid but has now changed to the capsules. She maintains that the S/OPC definitely helps her symptoms.

 

2. I maintain that the cumulative effect of the other substances will only be as described IF the oleander preparation is not filtered properly so that more of the water insoluble glycosides remain in the mixture or soup as part of the particles not filtered out. There are parts of the world (eg in Africa) where powdered oleander is sniffed in small amounts (like snuff). In such an instance, the glycosides could be present in relatively high concentrates and could thus play a role in combination with other substances.

 

The properly filtered oleander water extract has approximately 1 fortieth the amount of oleandrin that is used medically as a substitute for dioxin. At such a low concentrate, its effect on the heart, even in combination with other substances, will be negligible. The laxative effect of the oleander extract (and thus the possibility of lowered potassium values) is also directly related to problems with the filtrate.

From Phoenix Biotech:

The last update (at MD Anderson) is shown as 2005 on the linked page. A lot of things have changed since then, including the Phase I Clinical Trial currently being conducted at MDACC.

 

You will notice the use of "may" in their herbal interactions list, the list that you are interested in. I don't know if any testing has been done relative to use of oleander in conjunction with these herbs. Phoenix has not done so.

 

The potential for cardiac toxicity exists in all known cardenolides due to their mechanism of action with the NaK-ATPase transmembrane "pump". As far as I know, only two have been approved for therapeutic use in humans, digoxin and digitoxin. Both have a narrow therapeutic index, that is, a therapeutic dose for congestive heart failure is close to a toxic dose. That is why that they have attracted scant attention in the past as therapeutic agents for cancer. The effects of overdose can range from mild arrhythmia to heart block. Thus: "Toxic effects of oleander on the heart..."Tonyoleander soup , "Dr. Loretta Lanphier" <drlanphier wrote:>> Hi Mike> > Since your wife is on other natural products you may want to take a look at:> <http://www.mdanderson.org/departments/cimer/display.cfm?id=737870D0-880E-48> 33-A3D564663545988F & method=displayFull>> http://www.mdanderson.org/departments/cimer/display.cfm?id=737870D0-880E-483> 3-A3D564663545988F & method=displayFull This is MD Anderson's> complimentary/alternative medicine page about oleander. Anyone that is> using oleander needs to at least be aware of the following. Because I> respect the power of herbs, I understand the importance of knowing even the> "possibilities" of any interactions. I would imagine that they are erring> on the side of extreme caution but again, it's always better to educate> before medicating - even if it is natural medicine. Everyone is different> in their lifestyles and biochemistry so while one may react, someone else> may not. > > > > Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements> > Common oleander and yellow oleander contain cardiac glycoside heart-active> substances. Herbs or supplements that may cause increased heart> effects/damage if taken with oleander include: adonis, balloon cotton, black> hellebore root/melampode, black Indian hemp, bushman's poison, cactus> grandifloris, convallaria, eyebright, figwort, foxglove/digitalis,> frangipani, hedge mustard, hemp root/Canadian hemp root, king's crown,> lily-of-the-valley, motherwort, pheasant's eye plant, plantain leaf,> pleurisy root, psyllium husks, redheaded cotton-bush, rhubarb root, rubber> vine, sea-mango, senna fruit, squill, strophanthus, uzara, wallflower,> wintersweet and yellow dock root. Notably, bufalin/Chan Suis is a Chinese> herbal formula that has been reported as toxic or fatal when taken with> cardiac glycosides.> > > > Toxic effects of oleander on the heart may be increased if used with calcium> supplements or herbs that lower potassium levels, such as licorice.> Potassium levels theoretically may be reduced by herbs and supplements with> laxative properties such as senna or psyllium, or herbs and supplements with> diuretic properties (increasing urine flow) such as artichoke, celery, corn> silk, couchgrass, dandelion, elder flower, horsetail, juniper berry, kava,> shepherd's purse, uva ursi, yarrow. Laxative herbs include alder buckthorn,> aloe dried leaf sap, black root, blue flag rhizome, butternut bark, dong> quai, European buckthorn, eyebright, cascara bark, castor oil, chasteberry,> colocynth fruit pulp, dandelion, gamboges bark, horsetail, jalap root, manna> bark, plantain leaf, podophyllum root, psyllium, rhubarb, senna, wild> cucumber fruit and yellow dock root.> > > > > > Be Well~> Loretta> > > > > Tony's note: This is really good information to have, and I agree that it> they are likely erring on the side of extreme caution - especially since> there are virtually no records to be found anywhere of death or serious> injury as a result of taking the oleander medications, supplements and> remedies that have been discussed in this forum - and I would also point out> that an ethanol extraction of oleander is used for heart conditions in> Russia, as well as for vertigo.> > > > Nevertheless, it would be a good idea to not mix oleander with supplements> containing any of the listed herbs.> > > > Thanks for the information. - Tony> > > > > > _____ > > oleander soup oleander soup On> Behalf Of Mike Golden> Friday, April 25, 2008 3:36 PM> oleander soup > Re: The amazing number of cancer fighting and immune> boosting compounds in oleander> > > > Tony,> > My wife has metastatic breast cancer. Two years ago she had a mastectomy> with a TRAM reconstruction, but has never had chemotherapy or radiation.> She received her current diagnosis in late December. In the last eight> weeks we have been on a program of LDN, Cantron, Paw Paw and pulsed doses> of artemisinin at night (4 days on and three days off). We have been> observing the contraindications regarding nutrients that might work counter> to the ATP inhibition of the Cantron and Paw Paw. In the last few weeks> tumor markers in the blood have decreased 35 points (from 197), and the> tumors sites ache within 10 minutes of taking Cantron. > In your opinion, can Sutherlandia OPC (we have it) be combined with what we> are doing? From what I have read concerning the hypothetical mechanisms of> SOPC, it does not look like something that would have an effect of> stimulating electron transport, and that it might, therefore be compatible> with what we are already doing. I hope this is so.> Your thoughts?> > Thank you!> > Mike Golden, D.C.>