Gelsemium sempervirens
(Yellow jasmine, Gelsemium)

Therapeutic Actions:

• Anodyne
• Antispasmodic
• Initially stimulates then depresses neural function
• Sedative

Clinical Indications:

• Endometrosis
• Insomnia, in small doses
• Urinary tract irritation with scarce urine

Contraindications:

• Hypotension
• Pregnancy

Drug/Nutrient Interaction:

• Limited data

Chemical Constituents:

• Alkaloids (CNS depressants) including:
  
  Gelsdine
  Gelsemidine
  Gelsemicine
  Gelsemine
  Gelsevirine
• Coumarins:
  
  Fabitin
  Scopoletin, also known as gelsemic acid
• Iridoids:
  
  9-hydroxy-semperoside
  Brasoside
  Gelsemiol with 1- and 3-glucosides
  Gelsemide with 7-glycoside
  Semperoside
• Tannins

Toxicity:

• Sympotms include:
  
  Convulsions
  Double vision with drooping eyelids and lower jaw
  Hypotension
  Intense abdominal cramps
  Internal strabismus
  Lowered temperature
  Death from respiratory failure and cardiac arrest
• Treatment:
  
  2 mg. of atropine every 4 hours
  Activated charcoal
  Castor oil purge
  CPR
  Digitalis to sustain heart
  IV diazepam for seizures
  Lavage
  Morphine
  Oxygen as needed

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).