Black Root Benefits and Black Root Side Effects
Black root is derived from the whole root or root bark, which contains tannic acid, volatile oils, gum, resin, a crystalline principle, a saccharine principle resembling mannite, and a glucoside-resembling senegin. Its tannic acid content has astringent and antisecretory properties. Black root is available as dried root, powdered root bark, and tincture.
Benefits And Uses of Black Root
Fresh black root is used as an emetic. The dried root has a gentler action and is used to treat constipation and liver and gallbladder disease , and to increase bile flow. Historically, black root was used to treat bilious fever.
Administration
- Powdered root bark: 1 to 4 g by mouth .
- Tea: 1/3 cup before each meal, not to exceed 1 cup of tea per day; prepared by steeping 1 teaspoon of black root in 1 cup boiling water for 30 minutes, then straining.
- Tincture: 2 to 4 gtt by mouth in water.
Side Effects of Black Root
Black root may reduce the effectiveness of digoxin. It decreases the absorption of iron. Laxatives and herbs with laxative effects such as aloe, blue flag rhizome, butternut, cascara sagrada bark, castor oil, colocynth fruit, manna bark exudate, podophyllum root, rhubarb, senna, wild cumber fruit, and yellow dock root may increase the cathartic effects of black root. Additive effects occur when black root is used with herbs that have potassium wasting effects, such as gossypol, horsetail, and licorice.
Patients with gallstones or bile duct obstruction should avoid using black root. Those with a GI disease like colitis or irritable bowel syndrome that may be aggravated by the cathartic effects of black root should use it with caution.
Pregnant patients shouldn’t use the herb because the fresh root has abortifacient and teratogenic effects. Also, breast-feeding patients should avoid use because the effects are unknown.
Clinical considerations
- Caution patient to use only the dry root, not the fresh root.
- Monitor patient for excessive diarrhea.
- Warn patient not to delay seeking appropriate medical evaluation because doing so many delay diagnosis of a potentially serious medical conditions.
- If patients is pregnant or breast-feeding or planning pregnancy, advise her not to use this herb.
- Advise patient not to drink more than 1 cup of black root tea per day.
- Advise patient to use caution when combining black root with other herbal, over-the counter, or prescription laxatives.
- Tell patient to remind prescriber and pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he’s taking when obtaining a new prescription.
- Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a treatment with proven efficacy may be available.
Research summary
The concepts behind the use of black root and the claims made regarding its effects have not yet been validated scientifically.
Tagged under:black root cascara sagrada bark cathartic digoxin gallbladder disease gallstones Herbs irritable bowel syndrome rhubarb root bark Posted by editor on December 24th, 2007 | Filed under Herbs
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