Background

Evodia (Evodia rutaecarpa) is a tree native to China and Korea. The fruit has a bitter taste and is commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Chemicals in evodia might have many effects in the body, such as reducing pain, swelling, diarrhea, and blood pressure, and stimulating the heart.

People use evodia for diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if evodia is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy: Evodia is possibly unsafe to use while pregnant. It contains some chemicals that affect pregnant animals. These chemicals cause the animals' uterus to contract and also seem to reduce the size of the litter. It's not known if evodia affects pregnancy in humans, but it's best to stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if evodia is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Irregular heartbeat: Evodia might make an irregular heartbeat worse. Don't use evodia if you have this condition.

Surgery: Evodia seems to slow blood clotting. This might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using evodia at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of evodia might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Caffeine

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

The body breaks down caffeine to get rid of it. Evodia might increase how quickly the body gets rid of caffeine. Taking evodia along with caffeine might decrease the effects of caffeine.

Chlorzoxazone (Parafon Forte, Paraflex)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

The body breaks down chlorzoxazone to get rid of it. Evodia might increase how quickly the body gets rid of chlorzoxazone. Taking evodia along with chlorzoxazone might decrease the effects of chlorzoxazone.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Evodia might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) substrates)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Evodia might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Evodia might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

Medications that can cause an irregular heartbeat (QT interval-prolonging drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Evodia might affect electrical currents in the heart. This can increase the risk of having an irregular heartbeat. Some medications can have this same effect. Taking evodia with these medications might increase the risk for a serious heart issue.

Medications that decrease break down of other medications in the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitors)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Evodia is changed and broken down by the liver. Some drugs decrease how quickly the liver changes and breaks down evodia. This could change the effects and side effects of evodia.

Medications that increase break down of other medications by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inducers)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Evodia is changed and broken down by the liver. Some drugs increase how quickly the liver changes and breaks down evodia. This could change the effects and side effects of evodia.

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Evodia might slow blood clotting. Taking evodia along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

Theophylline

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Evodia might increase how quickly the body gets rid of theophylline. Taking evodia along with theophylline might decrease the effects of theophylline.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Evodia might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.