Hortensia

Related Terms

Alkaloids, anthocyanins, caffeoylquinic acid, common Hydrangea, French hydrangea, glucosylcyanidin anthocyanins, glucosyldelphinidin, guilder rose, H. hortensia, hydragenol, Hydrangea arborescens, Hydrangea arborescens L., Hydrangea ashei Harbison, Hydrangea cinerea, hydrangea extract, Hydrangea macrophylla, Hydrangea macrophylla Thunb., Hydrangea paniculata Sieb., Hydrangea quercifolia Bart, Hydrangea radiata Walt., Hydrangea vulgaris, Hydrangea xanthoneura, Hydrangeaceae (family), Hydrangeae Dulcis Folium, hydrangeaic acid, hydrangenol, hydrangeol, hydrangin, mountain hydrangea, oakleaf hydrangea, panicled hydrangea, seven barks, silverleaf hydrangea, small ashy hydrangea, smooth hydrangea, wild hydrangea.

Background

Hydrangea is an ornamental plant native to North and South America and eastern and southern Asia. It has been used for the treatment of urinary tract disorders in traditional Chinese medicine and by the Cherokee tribe of North America.
Preliminary study has investigated hydrangea for its potential antifungal, antimalarial, and blood sugar-lowering properties. When applied to the skin, hydrangea may prevent male pattern baldness.
There is currently not enough human evidence available to support the use of hydrangea for any indication.

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)
Hydrangea has been consumed as a powdered herb, liquid extract, syrup, tincture, and tea. Doses have included 2 to 4 grams dried hydrangea rhizome and root three times per day; 2 to 4 milliliters hydrangea liquid extract three times per day; 1 teaspoon hydrangea syrup three times per day; 2 to 10 milliliters hydrangea tincture three times per day; and 2 to 4 grams dried hydrangea rhizome and root steeped in 150 milliliters boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes three times per day.

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
Hydrangea may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or injection should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Hydrangea may add to the effects of antifungal, anti-malarial, antihistamine, and cholesterol-lowering drugs, and drugs taken to prevent hair loss.

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

Avenel-Audran M, Hausen BM, le Sellin J, et al. Allergic contact dermatitis from hydrangea--is it so rare? Contact Dermatitis 2000;43(4):189-191.
Bruynzeel DP. Contact dermatitis from hydrangea. Contact Dermatitis 1991;24(1):78.
Bruynzeel DP, Hausen BM. Allergic contact dermatitis to hydrangea. Contact Dermatitis 1987;16(3):181.
Bruynzeel DP. Allergic contact dermatitis to hydrangea. Contact Dermatitis 1986;14(2):128.
De Rooij J, Bruynzeel DP, Rustemeyer T. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from hydrangea. Contact Dermatitis 2006;54(1):65-66.
Ishih A, Miyase T, Terada M. Comparison of antimalarial activity of the alkaloidal fraction of Hydrangea macrophylla var. Otaksa leaves with the hot-water extract in ICR mice infected with Plasmodium yoelii 17 XL. Phytother Res. 2003;17(6):633-639.
Kikuchi M, Kakuda R, Kikuchi M, et al. Three new glycosides from the leaves of Hydrangea macrophylla subsp. serrata (THUNB.) MAKINO. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2008;56(4):610-611.
Kuligowski ME, Chang A, Leemreize JH. Allergic contact hand dermatitis from hydrangea: report of a 10th case. Contact Dermatitis 1992;26(4):269-270.
Matsuda H, Wang Q, Matsuhira K, et al. Inhibitory effects of thunberginols A and B isolated from Hydrangeae Dulcis Folium on mRNA expression of cytokines and on activation of activator protein-1 in RBL-2H3 cells. Phytomedicine. 2008;15(3):177-184.
Meijer P, Coenraads PJ, Hausen BM. Allergic contact dermatitis from hydrangea. Contact Dermatitis 1990;23(1):59-60.
Rademaker M. Occupational contact dermatitis to hydrangea. Australas J Dermatol. 2003;44(3):220-221.
Tsuji Y, Denda S, Soma T, et al. A potential suppressor of TGF-beta delays catagen progression in hair follicles. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc. 2003;8(1):65-68.
Yang Q, Gong ZZ. Purification and characterization of an ethylene-induced antifungal protein from leaves of guilder rose (Hydrangea macrophylla). Protein Expr Purif. 2002;24(1):76-82.
Yoshida K, Ito D, Shinkai Y, et al. Change of color and components in sepals of chameleon hydrangea during maturation and senescence. Phytochemistry 4-16-2008;
Zhang H, Matsuda H, Kumahara A, et al. New type of anti-diabetic compounds from the processed leaves of Hydrangea macrophylla var. thunbergii (Hydrangeae Dulcis Folium). Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 9-1-2007;17(17):4972-4976.