Dodder
Dodder

Background

Dodder is an herb. People use the parts that grow above the ground to make medicine.

Dodder is used to treat urinary tract, spleen, psychiatric, and hepatic disorders. It is also used for cancer, depression, and pain. Dodder is used with a protein called whey for eczema (atopic dermatitis).
When taken by mouth: Dodder seed extract is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in doses of up to 2 grams daily for up to 15 days. Dodder powder is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in doses of up to 2 grams daily for up to 8 weeks. There isn't enough reliable information to know if higher doses of dodder are safe. It might cause side effects such as stomach upset and diarrhea.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

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

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
  • Eczema (atopic dermatitis). Early research shows that taking a combination of whey powder and dodder seed extract helps to reduce itching in people with eczema.
  • Depression. Early research shows that taking dodder helps to improve depression in people who are also taking antidepressant medication.
  • Bladder problems.
  • Liver problems.
  • Pain.
  • Spleen problems.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of dodder for these uses.

Dosing & administration

The appropriate dose of dodder 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 dodder. 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 Dodder interacts with any medicines. Before taking Dodder, 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

Dodder contains chemicals that act like antioxidants. These chemicals might help to slow the growth of cancer cells, and improve the health of the liver, the kidneys, and the nervous system.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 26/08/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 20/12/2012 22:27:20. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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