Background

Solomon's seal is an herb. It is sometimes used to make medicine.

Solomon's seal is used for lung disorders, swelling (inflammation), and skin conditions such as bruises, boils, and hemorrhoids. But there is no good scientific evidence to support any use.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Solomon's seal is safe. Taking large doses or using it for long periods of time might cause some side effects such as diarrhea, stomach complaints, and nausea.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Solomon's seal is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

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

Diabetes: Solomon's seal might decrease blood sugar levels. There is some concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control. If you use Solomon's seal and take diabetes medications, monitor your blood sugar closely.

Surgery: Solomon's seal might lower blood sugar levels. There's a concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using Solomon's seal at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

The appropriate dose of Solomon's seal 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 Solomon's seal. 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

Chlorpropamide (Diabinese)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Chlorpropamide (Diabinese) is used to decrease blood sugar in people with diabetes. Solomon's seal might also decrease blood sugar. Taking Solomon's seal along with chlorpropamide (Diabinese) might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your chlorpropamide (Diabinese) might need to be changed.

Insulin

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Solomon's seal might decrease blood sugar. Insulin is also used to decrease blood sugar. Taking Solomon's seal along with insulin might cause your blood sugar to be too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your insulin might need to be changed.

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Solomon's seal might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking Solomon's seal along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.

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

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Solomon's seal might lower blood sugar levels. Using it with other herbs or supplements that have this same effect might lower blood sugar levels too much. Avoid this combination. Some other herbs that might lower blood sugar are devil's claw, fenugreek, garlic, guar gum, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, psyllium, and Siberian ginseng.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.

Action

There isn't enough reliable information available to know how Solomon's seal might work.