Benzoicum acidum 3 CH • Berberis vulgaris 3 CH • Formicum Acidum 3 CH • Lithium Carbonicum 3 CH • Ranunculus bulbosus 3 CH • Rhus toxicodendron 3 CH • Urtica urens 3 CH. Other Ingredients: Ethanol.
Brand name products often contain multiple ingredients. To read detailed information about each ingredient, click on the link for the individual ingredient shown above.
In 2004, Canada began regulating natural medicines as a category of products separate from foods or drugs. These products are officially recognized as "Natural Health Products." These products include vitamins, minerals, herbal preparations, homeopathic products, probiotics, fatty acids, amino acids, and other naturally derived supplements.
In order to be marketed in Canada, natural health products must be licensed. In order to be licensed in Canada, manufacturers must submit applications to Health Canada including information about uses, formulation, dosing, safety, and efficacy.
Products can be licensed based on several criteria. Some products are licensed based on historical or traditional uses. For example, if an herbal product has a history of traditional use, then that product may be acceptable for licensure. In this case, no reliable scientific evidence is required for approval.
For products with non-traditional uses, some level of scientific evidence may be required to support claimed uses. However, a high level of evidence is not necessarily required. Acceptable sources of evidence include at least one well-designed, randomized, controlled trial; well-designed, non-randomized trials; cohort and case control studies; or expert opinion reports.
Finished products licensed by Health Canada must be manufactured according to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) as outlined by Health Canada.
This is a homeopathic preparation. Homeopathy is a system of medicine established in the 19th century by a German physician named Samuel Hahnemann. Its basic principles are that "like treats like" and "potentiation through dilution." For example, in homeopathy, diarrhea would be treated with an extreme dilution of a substance that normally causes diarrhea when taken in high doses.
Practitioners of homeopathy believe that more dilute preparations are more potent. Many homeopathic preparations are so diluted that they contain little or no active ingredient. Therefore, most homeopathic products are not expected to have any pharmacological effects, drug interactions, or other harmful effects. Any beneficial effects are controversial and cannot be explained by current scientific methods.
Dilutions of 1 to 10 are designated by an "X." So a 1X dilution = 1:10, 3X=1:1000; 6X=1:1,000,000. Dilutions of 1 to 100 are designated by a "C." So a 1C dilution = 1:100; 3C = 1:1,000,000. Dilutions of 24X or 12C or more contain zero molecules of the original active ingredient.
Homeopathic products are permitted for sale in the US due to legislation passed in 1938 sponsored by a homeopathic physician who was also a Senator. The law still requires that the FDA allow the sale of products listed in the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States. However, homeopathic preparations are not held to the same safety and effectiveness standards as conventional medicines. For more information, see the Homeopathy monograph.
Below is general information about the effectiveness of the known ingredients contained in the product Rhus Toxicodendron Complex (Drops). Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
There is insufficient reliable information available about the effectiveness of bulbous buttercup.
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
Below is general information about the safety of the known ingredients contained in the product Rhus Toxicodendron Complex (Drops). Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
LIKELY UNSAFE ...when used orally or topically because it can cause severe local irritation (18).
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: LIKELY UNSAFE
when used orally or topically (18); avoid using.
LIKELY SAFE ...when the fruit is consumed orally in food amounts (13527). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of European barberry when used orally in medicinal amounts or when used topically.
CHILDREN: LIKELY UNSAFE
when used orally in newborns.
The berberine constituent of European barberry can cause kernicterus in newborns, particularly preterm neonates with hyperbilirubinemia (2589). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of European barberry when used orally in older children.
PREGNANCY: LIKELY UNSAFE
when used orally.
Berberine is thought to cross the placenta and may cause harm to the fetus. Kernicterus has developed in newborn infants exposed to berberine (2589).
LACTATION: LIKELY UNSAFE
when used orally.
Berberine and other harmful constituents can be transferred to the infant through breast milk (2589).
LIKELY UNSAFE ...when used orally or topically (6). Poison ivy is highly irritant and allergenic (68970).
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: LIKELY UNSAFE
when used orally or topically (6); avoid using.
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately. Stinging nettle root 360-600 mg has been used safely for up to 1 year (5093,11230,15195,76406,96744). ...when used topically and appropriately (12490).
PREGNANCY: LIKELY UNSAFE
when used orally due to possible abortifacient and uterine-stimulant effects (4,6,19).
LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.
Below is general information about the interactions of the known ingredients contained in the product Rhus Toxicodendron Complex (Drops). Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
Theoretically, taking European barberry with anticholinergic drugs might cause additive effects.
 Details
In vitro evidence suggests that European barberry might have anticholinergic properties (13527).
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Theoretically, European barberry may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
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Theoretically, taking European barberry with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
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Preliminary clinical evidence suggests that European barberry juice reduces fasting glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes who are also taking antidiabetes drugs (98575). Additionally, some animal studies show that berberine, a constituent of European barberry, has antiglycemic potential (33622,33667). Monitor blood glucose levels closely.
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Theoretically, taking European barberry with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.
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Theoretically, taking European barberry with cholinergic drugs might decrease the effects of cholinergic drugs.
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In vitro evidence suggests that European barberry might have anticholinergic properties (13527).
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Theoretically, concomitant use with drugs that have sedative properties may cause additive effects.
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Theoretically, concomitant use with cyclosporine may cause additive effects.
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Berberine, a constituent of European barberry, can reduce the metabolism and increase serum levels of cyclosporine. This effect is attributed to the ability of berberine to inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), which metabolizes cyclosporine (13524). Theoretically, European barberry might have a similar effect.
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Theoretically, European barberry might increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP3A4 substrates.
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There is very preliminary evidence suggesting that berberine, a constituent of European barberry, might inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme (13524). Theoretically, European barberry might have a similar effect.
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Theoretically, stinging nettle might have additive effects with antidiabetes drugs.
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Theoretically, combining stinging nettle with diuretic drugs may have additive effects.
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Theoretically, stinging nettle might reduce excretion and increase levels of lithium.
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Animal research suggests that stinging nettle has diuretic and natriuretic properties, which could alter the excretion of lithium (76402). The dose of lithium might need to be decreased.
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There is some concern that stinging nettle might decrease the effects of anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin.
Details
Stinging nettle contains a significant amount of vitamin K (19). When taken in large quantities, this might interfere with the activity of warfarin.
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Below is general information about the adverse effects of the known ingredients contained in the product Rhus Toxicodendron Complex (Drops). Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
General ...Orally, ingestion of bulbous buttercup can cause severe irritation of the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts, with colic and diarrhea (18). Topically, skin contact can cause blisters and burns that are difficult to heal (18).
Dermatologic ...Topically, long-term skin contact with bulbous buttercup can cause blisters and burns that may be difficult to heal (18).
Gastrointestinal ...Orally, ingestion of bulbous buttercup may cause severe irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, with colic and diarrhea (18).
Genitourinary ...Orally, bulbous buttercup may cause irritation of the urinary tract (18).
General ...European barberry is generally well tolerated when consumed in amounts commonly found in food. A thorough evaluation of safety outcomes has not been conducted for the use of larger, medicinal amounts. Topically, European barberry seems to be well tolerated.
Hepatic ...Orally, a case of hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia is reported in an adult male after consuming European barberry 15 drops and nannari root 15 drops twice a day for 2 weeks. The patient presented with lethargy, loss of appetite, and jaundice that progressed to high-grade fevers, chills, rigors, severe pancytopenia, and abnormal liver function tests. Liver biopsy was suggestive of drug-induced liver injury. The patient was hospitalized for multiple infections and symptomatic thrombocytopenia. Despite receiving supportive care, blood transfusions, and corticosteroids, the patient died 7 weeks after diagnosis (110021). The exact reason for this adverse effect is not clear.
General
...When used orally or topically, poison ivy may be unsafe.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Diarrhea, dizziness, fever, intestinal colic, nausea, vomiting, severe mucous membrane irritation.
Topically: Contact dermatitis, herpes-like blisters, reddening, swelling.
Inhaled: Fever.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: Fever, hematuria, nephritis, stupor, unconsciousness.
Topically: Erythema multiforme, black spot poison ivy dermatitis. Eye contact can cause severe conjunctivitis, corneal inflammations, or loss of sight.
Inhaled: Lung infection, respiratory distress syndrome, throat swelling.
Dermatologic ...Topically, poison ivy can cause contact dermatitis, reddening, swelling, and herpes-like blisters (18). These reactions occur at the area of contact, usually within a few hours, but are sometimes delayed for several days (68970). Sometimes papules and vesicles develop and can spread beyond the area of initial contact, but are generally self-limiting and eventually form crusts. (3839,68955,68960,68977,69007,69008,69038,69042). In a few cases, small white papules known as milia have developed on an area of poison ivy exposure after the typical skin reaction has subsided (94222). Occasionally, poison ivy causes more severe dermatologic reactions such as erythema multiforme (3839,68983,69032,112851). Black spot poison ivy dermatitis also occurs in rare cases, with black lacquer-like lesions on the skin that cannot be washed off, followed by the typical pruritic papules (112850). The black lesions are concentrated urushiol oleoresin that has darkened with exposure to oxygen and moisture (68960,68997,69027,69034). They eventually peel off and the skin heals normally (68960,112850).
Gastrointestinal ...Orally, poison ivy can cause severe mucous membrane irritation, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (18).
Genitourinary ...Orally, poison ivy can cause hematuria (18).
Immunologic ...Cross-allergenicity with poison ivy exists with cashew, mango, and ginkgo biloba (106574).
Neurologic/CNS ...Orally, poison ivy can cause dizziness, fever, stupor, and unconsciousness (18).
Ocular/Otic ...Topically, eye contact with urushiol from poison ivy can cause severe conjunctivitis, corneal inflammation, and potentially loss of sight (18).
Pulmonary/Respiratory ...Inhaled, urushiol in the smoke from burning of poison ivy can result in life-threatening throat swelling, fever, and secondary lung infections (6). Respiratory distress syndrome after smoke inhalation from burning poison ivy has also been reported (69036). Two fatal cases of acute respiratory distress and anaphylaxis after inhaling burned poison ivy are reported in patients with known allergies to poison ivy (112420).
Renal ...Orally, poison ivy can cause nephritis (18).
General
...Orally, stinging nettle seems to be generally well tolerated.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Constipation, diarrhea.
Topically: Contact with the raw plant causes itching, rash, and stinging.
Dermatologic ...Topically, fresh stinging nettle leaves and stalk can cause localized rash, itching, and stinging (12490,76399,76412,76414,76417,76428,76448,96746). Usually, short exposure to stinging nettle results in a transient urticarial reaction and a stinging sensation which may persist for more than 12 hours (76399,76414,76417,96746). In one report, a patient placed a fresh stinging nettle leaf on the tongue to suck out the sap of the leaf. Severe tongue edema, pain, and urticaria developed within 5 minutes. Symptoms continued for several hours after the leaf was removed (15197). In another case report, a young couple intoxicated with methamphetamine fell and laid in a stinging nettle bush for 20 minutes, after which urticaria and pain continued for 2-3 weeks, and a heightened sensitivity to cold persisted for several months (96746).
Endocrine
...A case of gynecomastia has been reported for a 33-year-old male who consumed stinging nettle tea 2 cups daily for one month prior to symptom onset.
The condition subsided one month after discontinuing stinging nettle tea (76410).
There have been two cases of galactorrhea associated with the consumption of stinging nettle for one month (76410,108902). In one case, a 33-year-old female consuming stinging nettle tea showed high levels of estradiol and low levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The levels of these hormones normalized 6 weeks after discontinuing stinging nettle tea (76410). In the other case report describing a 30-year-old female self-treating with stinging nettle 500 mg daily, hormone levels were not reported; however, a mammogram showed scattered areas of fibroglandular density and benign-appearing calcifications. This patient had complete resolution of symptoms 1 week after discontinuation of stinging nettle (108902).
Gastrointestinal ...Orally, stinging nettle root can cause gastrointestinal complaints, including diarrhea and constipation (1,7,11230). Stinging nettle above ground parts may cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort when taken on an empty stomach (7035). Stinging nettle juice may cause diarrhea (1). One patient taking a combination product containing stinging nettle root extract and pygeum bark extract (Prostatonin, Pharmaton) experienced continual gastrointestinal pain and hyperperistalsis. It is not clear if this effect was due to stinging nettle or pygeum (70230).
Genitourinary ...There is a case report of decreased ejaculatory volume associated with an herbal blend product containing stinging nettle root extract, saw palmetto extract, pumpkin seed oil extract, lemon bioflavonoid extract, and beta-carotene (5093). It is unclear if this was due to stinging nettle, other ingredients, or the combination.
Hepatic ...A case of idiosyncratic drug-induced liver disease (DILI) is reported in a 36-year-old female who presented with abdominal pain after 1 month of taking an herbal liver detox tea containing stinging nettle and other ingredients. Remarkable laboratory values included elevated liver enzymes, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin. The patient received a loading dose of N-acetylcysteine and was hospitalized for 12 days (112178). However, it is unclear if the adverse effect was due to the stinging nettle, other ingredients, or the combination.
Other ...Orally, stinging nettle root can cause sweating (1,7).
