Cyclamen
Cyclamen

Background

Cyclamen is a plant. The root and underground stem (rhizome) are used as medicine.

Despite serious safety concerns, people take cyclamen by mouth for "nervous emotional states" and problems with digestion. Women take it for menstrual disorders.

Cyclamen is also used as a nose spray to treat a condition called rhinosinusitis (swelling of the nasal passages and sinuses which is usually caused by an infection).
Cyclamen is UNSAFE for use by mouth. Symptoms of stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea have been reported with doses as low as 300 mg. High doses can cause poisoning, with symptoms including spasms and serious breathing problems.

Cyclamen is POSSIBLY SAFE for use as a nose spray. It has been used safely for up to 15 days. Cyclamen nose spray can cause runny nose, sneezing, and nose irritation.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Cyclamen is UNSAFE for anyone to use by mouth, including women who are pregnant or breast-feeding. It is poisonous. Don't use it.

Effectiveness

NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Likely effective Effectiveness definitions
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
Likely ineffective Effectiveness definitions
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
  • Rhinosinusitis (swelling of the nasal passages and sinuses which is usually caused by an infection). Early research shows that using a nose spray containing cyclamen every day for 15 days might decrease face pain from sinusitis. But it doesn't seem to improve other symptoms.
  • Menstrual disorders.
  • "Nervous emotional states."
  • Digestion problems.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of cyclamen for these uses.

Dosing & administration

The appropriate dose of cyclamen 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 cyclamen. 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

It is not known if Cyclamen interacts with any medicines. Before taking Cyclamen, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.

Action

There isn't enough information to know how cyclamen might work as a medicine when taken by mouth. When used as a nose spray, it seems to help loosen mucus and drain the sinuses.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 18/09/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 24/12/2012 22:00:40. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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