Cape jasmine

Related Terms

Cape jasmine, chlorogenic acid, crocetin, crocin, crocin-1, crocin-2, crocin-3, dikamali (India), forest gardenia, fructus Gardeniae, Gardenia actinocarpa, Gardenia aqualla, Gardenia aubryi, Gardenia augusta, gardenia blue, Gardenia brighamii, Gardenia buffalina, Gardenia carinata, Gardenia cornuta, Gardenia erubescens, Gardenia flava, Gardenia fortune, Gardenia fructus, Gardenia gummifera, Gardenia imperialis, Gardenia jasminoides, Gardenia jovis-tonantis, Gardenia latifolia, Gardenia lutea, Gardenia manii, Gardenia resinifera, Gardenia resiniflua, Gardenia saxatilis, Gardenia sootepensis, Gardenia taitensis, Gardenia ternifolia, Gardenia thailandica, Gardenia volkensii, gardenia yellow, genipin, geniposide, geniposidic acid, gentiobioside, giginya, iridoid glycoside, kuchinashi (Japanese), na'u (Hawaiian), Oahu gardenia, Rubiaceae, sokujikoh (Japanese), Tahitian gardenia, ursolic acid, zhi zi (Chinese).
Combination product examples: Inchinko-to (Artemisia capillaris spike, gardenia fruit, and rhubarb rhizome); Long-dan-tan (gardenia fruit, Gentiana root, Scutellaria root, Alisma rhizome, and Bupleurum root); Oren-gedoku-to (OGT, Scutellaria baicalensis, Coptis japonica, Gardenia jasminoides, and Phellodendron amurense); sasim (gardenia and six herbs); Unmadnashak ghrita (Ferula narthex (6g), Gardenia gummifera (6g), Elettaria cardamom (6g), Bacopa monnieri (6g), and cow's ghee (clarified butter fat, 76g)); Yin-chen-hao-tang (Artemisia capillaris Thunb. (Compositae), Gardenia jasminoides Ellis (Rubiaceae), Rheum officinale Baill. (Polygonaceae)); Yin Zhi Huang (artemisia, gardenia, rheum, and Scutellaria baicalensis).

Background

The gardenia family (Rubiaceae) contains 10,200 species. The most commonly used species in medicine is Gardenia jasminoides (Cape jasmine).
Gardenia has been used in Asian traditional medicine for centuries. It is believed to have sedative, laxative, and fever-reducing effects, and it has also been used to treat bacterial infections, diabetes, liver disease, gallbladder disease, and some skin disorders. However, more human clinical trials are needed to confirm these effects.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
To treat stomach disease, 3-12 grams of gardenia fruit has been taken by mouth daily.
To treat vitiligo (skin pigmentation disorder), ground gardenia fruit has been applied to the skin several times daily.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Gardenia may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. People taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Gardenia may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some drugs. Examples include benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan?) or diazepam (Valium?), barbiturates such as phenobarbital, narcotics such as codeine, some antidepressants, and alcohol. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery.
Gardenia may also interact with antibiotics, anticancer agents, antifungal agents, anti-inflammatory agents, antimalarial agents, antiretroviral agents, antiviral agents, cholesterol-lowering agents, immunosuppressants, and laxatives.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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