Background

Purple nut sedge is a plant that resembles grass. The tuber is eaten as a source of starch. The tubers and above-ground parts are also used to make medicine.

People use purple nut sedge by mouth for conditions such as diabetes, diarrhea, and indigestion, and apply it to the skin for acne, dandruff, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: Purple nut sedge tuber is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth as a medicine for up to 8 weeks.

When applied to the skin: Purple nut sedge essential oil is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if purple nut sedge is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Bleeding disorders: Purple nut sedge might slow blood clotting. This might increase the risk of bruising or bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.

Slow heart rate (bradycardia): Purple nut sedge might slow down the heartbeat. This could be a problem in people who already have a slow heart rate.

Diabetes: Purple nut sedge might lower blood sugar levels. People with diabetes should monitor their blood glucose levels closely. If you have diabetes, it's best to check with your healthcare provider before starting purple nut sedge.

Gastrointestinal tract blockage: Purple nut sedge might cause "congestion" in the intestines. This might cause problems in people who have a blockage in their intestines.

Stomach ulcers: Purple nut sedge might increase secretions in the stomach and intestines. There is concern that this could worsen ulcers.

Lung conditions: Purple nut sedge might increase fluid secretions in the lung. There is concern that this could worsen lung conditions such as asthma or emphysema.

Seizures: There is concern that purple nut sedge might increase the risk of seizures.

Surgery: Purple nut sedge might lower blood sugar or slow blood clotting. There is some concern that it might interfere with bleeding or blood sugar control during surgery. Stop using purple nut sedge at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Urinary tract obstruction: Purple nut sedge might increase secretions in the urinary tract. There is concern that this could worsen urinary obstruction.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

The appropriate dose of purple nut sedge depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for purple nut sedge. 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 your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Drying medications (Anticholinergic drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Purple nut sedge contains chemicals that can affect the brain and heart. Some drying medications can also affect the brain and heart. But purple nut sedge works differently than drying medications. Purple nut sedge might decrease the effects of drying medications.

Some of these drying medications include atropine, scopolamine, and some medications used for allergies (antihistamines), and for depression (antidepressants).

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Purple nut sedge might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking purple nut sedge along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.

Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and others.

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Purple nut sedge might slow blood clotting. Taking purple nut sedge along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.

Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

Various medications used for glaucoma, Alzheimer disease, and other conditions (Cholinergic drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Purple nut sedge contains a chemical that affects the body. This chemical is similar to some medications used for glaucoma, Alzheimer disease, and other conditions. Taking purple nut sedge with these medications might increase the chance of side effects.
Some of these medications used for glaucoma, Alzheimer disease, and other conditions include pilocarpine (Pilocar and others), donepezil (Aricept), tacrine (Cognex), and others.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Purple nut sedge might lower blood sugar. Using purple nut sedge along with other herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar might lower blood sugar too much. Herbs that might lower blood sugar include devil's claw, fenugreek, guar gum, Panax ginseng, Siberian ginseng, and others.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Purple nut sedge might slow blood clotting. Using it with other herbs or supplements that have this same effect might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding in some people. These herbs include angelica, clove, danshen, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, horse chestnut, red clover, turmeric, and others.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.

Action

Purple nut sedge is an antioxidant. It might reduce blood sugar and prevent the growth of certain bacteria, including the type that causes dental cavities. Purple nut sedge might also help break down fat to increase weight loss.