Background

Siberian cocklebur is a spring weed that grows in parts of Asia, Europe, and North America. The plant invades farmlands and can be poisonous to domestic animals and humans.

People use Siberian cocklebur for conditions such as long-term swelling (inflammation) of the airways in the lungs (chronic bronchitis), common cold, constipation, diabetes, and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using Siberian cocklebur can also be unsafe.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: Siberian cocklebur is LIKELY UNSAFE when the seeds and seedlings are taken by mouth. Deaths have been reported.

There isn't enough reliable information to know if Siberian cocklebur fruit is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Siberian cocklebur is LIKELY UNSAFE when the seeds and seedlings are taken by mouth. Deaths have been reported. Avoid using.

Children: Siberian cocklebur is LIKELY UNSAFE when the seeds and seedlings are taken by mouth. Deaths have been reported. It is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when the Siberian fruit is taken by mouth. There has been a report of a 20-month old child dying after taking Siberian cocklebur fruit by mouth for 2 months.

Diabetes: Siberian cocklebur lowers blood sugar levels. Do not use Siberian cocklebur if you have diabetes.

Liver disease: Siberian cocklebur causes liver toxicity and, in some cases, liver failure. Do not use Siberian cocklebur if you have liver disease or you are at risk of liver disease.

Kidney disease: Siberian cocklebur causes kidney toxicity. Do not use Siberian cocklebur if you have kidney disease or you are at risk of kidney disease.

Surgery: Siberian cocklebur interferes with blood sugar control. This is a problem during and after surgery. Stop taking Siberian cocklebur at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

The appropriate dose of Siberian cocklebur 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 Siberian cocklebur (in children/in adults). 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

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)

Interaction Rating=Major Do not take this combination.

Siberian cocklebur decreases blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking Siberian cocklebur with diabetes medications can make blood sugar levels fall too low. Do not take Siberian cocklebur if you are using diabetes medications.

Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, metformin (Glucophage), pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.

Medications that can harm the kidneys (Nephrotoxic Drugs)

Interaction Rating=Major Do not take this combination.

Siberian cocklebur can harm the kidneys. Some medications can also harm the kidneys. Do not take Siberian cocklebur if you are using medications that can harm the kidneys.

Some medications that can harm the kidneys include cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); aminoglycosides including amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin, Gentak, others), and tobramycin (Nebcin, others); nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, others), indomethacin (Indocin), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene); and numerous others.

Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs)

Interaction Rating=Major Do not take this combination.

Siberian cocklebur can harm the liver. Some medications can also harm the liver. Do not take Siberian cocklebur if you are using a medication that can harm the liver.

Some medications that can harm the liver include acetaminophen (Tylenol and others), amiodarone (Cordarone), carbamazepine (Tegretol), isoniazid (INH), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), methyldopa (Aldomet), fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), erythromycin (Erythrocin, Ilosone, others), phenytoin (Dilantin), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), simvastatin (Zocor), and many others.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Herbs and supplements that might harm the liver: Siberian cocklebur can harm the liver. Some herbs or supplements also harm the liver. Do not take Siberian cocklebur with herbs and supplements that can harm the liver. Some of these herbs and supplements include androstenedione, chaparral, coenzyme Q-10 (only in high doses), comfrey, DHEA, germander, kava, niacin, pennyroyal oil, red yeast, and others.
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Siberian cocklebur lowers blood sugar levels. Some herbs and supplements also lower blood sugar levels. Taking Siberian cocklebur with herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar can make blood sugar levels fall too low. Do not take Siberian cocklebur with herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar.

Some herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar include alpha-lipoic acid, bitter melon, chromium, devil's claw, fenugreek, garlic, guar gum, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, psyllium, Siberian ginseng, and others.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.

Action

Siberian cocklebur contains many different chemicals. Atractyloside and carboxyatractyloside, which are found in the seed and seedling, can be poisonous.