Queen Anne’s Lace Herb- Precautions to be kept in mind while using this Herb
24 July 2007Taxonomic class
Apiaceae
Common Trade Names
None known.
Common Forms
Available as a crude extract and in teas
Sources
The active ingredients are obtained from the leaves, roots, and seeds of the Daucus carota subspecies sativas, which typically grows wild in various parts of North America.
Chemical Components
The fruits and leaves of D. carota contain aglycones and glycosides, which are flavonoids (apigenin, chrysin, luteolin) and porphyrins. Furanocoumarins (methoxypsoralens) are also found in the plant. The volatile oil contains many components (pinenes, geraniol, limonene, terpinens, carophyllene, carotol, daucol, and asarone). D. carota seeds consist predominantly of unsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid, linolenic acid, and palmitic acid) and myristicin. D. carota contains choline, ethanol, xylitol, coumarin, formic acid, and oxalic acid.
Actions
The tertiary base of the seeds has papaverine-like, nonspecific, antispasmodic activity. Only about one-tenth the antispasmodic activity of papaverine was found in animals . In vitro, spasmodic actions have been observed in both smooth muscle and skeletal muscle and have been attributed to the choline component of Queen Anne’s lace.
The petroleum ether extract and fatty acids of D. carota seeds were found to halt the normal estrogen cycle and decrease ovary weight in adult mice . Seed extracts produced weak estrogenic activity and inhibited implantation of embryo .
Pretreatment of D. carota extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatic damage in mice showed decreased serum enzyme levels of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, glutamate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and sorbitol and reduced elevated serum bilirubin and urea levels.
Minimal antifungal activity has also been suggested. Terpinen-4-ol is a documented component of other plants and known to produce diuresis by renal irritation. Various CV effects of wild carrot have been noted in animal models other studies in animals have reported hypotensive and cardiac depressant effects and CNS and respiratory depression at high doses .
Reported Uses
D. carota is claimed to be useful as an aphrodisiac, an abortifacient, a diuretic, and a hypoglycemic agent. It has been reported anecdotally to treat cancer, cardiac and renal disease, dysentery, dyspepsia, gout, menstrual abnormalities, night blindness, ulcers, uterine pain, and worms. No controlled clinical trials support these claims.
Dosage
No consensus exists.
Adverse Reactions
CNS: CNS depression.
CV: cardiac depression, hypotension.
GU: diuresis, renal irritation (excessive doses).
Skin: contact dermatitis, photosensitization (especially with wet leaves because of methoxypsoralen content).
Interactions
Analgesics, anxiolytics, sedative-hypnotic drugs: Risk of increased CNS depression. Monitor the patient.
Anticoagulants, antiplatelets: Theoretical increased risk of bleeding. Monitor PT and INR.
Antihypertensives: Risk of increased hypotensive effect. Use cautiously.
Digoxin, other rate-controlling drugs: Risk of increased depressant effects on myocardium. Monitor vital signs.
Hormones: Excessive use can interfere with hormonal therapy. Monitor the patient for clinical response.
Muscle relaxants, other drugs that affect muscle function: Risk of altered musculoskeletal contraction. Monitor the patient.
Contraindications and Precautions
Avoid using Queen Anne’s lace in pregnant or breast-feeding patients; effects are unknown. The seeds may have abortifacient action .
Special Considerations
- Inform the patient that data supporting the use of Queen Anne’s lace are insufficient.
Alert Inform the patient that some poisonous plants appear similar to and may be confused with D. carota, including water hemlock (Cicuta maculata) , poison hemlock (Conium maculatum), and fool’s parsley (Aethusa cynapium) .
- Advise women to report any planned or suspected pregnancy.
- Advise the patient to avoid hazardous activities until CNS effects are known.
- Encourage the photosensitive patient to avoid exposure to sunlight by wearing sunblock, a hat, sunglasses, and appropriate clothing.
points of Interest
- D. carota is known as Queen Anne’s lace because of its intricately patterned, flat flower cluster.
- The herb is also known as mother’s die because of the superstition, “If you bring it into your home, your mother will die”.
- The orange root of D. carota subspecies carota (the cultivated carrot) is consumed either cooked or raw and is different from D. carota subspecies sativas .
- D. carota is used as a dye, fragrance, and flavoring agent.
Commentary
Data from studies in animals suggest that D. carota has antifungal, antispasmodic, antisteroidogenic, and hepatoprotective properties. No data support the therapeutic use of D. carota for these claims. Contact with the leaves has been associated with dermatitis, and neurologic effects occur when the seeds are taken in high doses. Additional data are needed to determine the therapeutic potential for components of D. carota.
Tagged under:antispasmodic, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, Herbal Medicines, lactate dehydrogenase, oleic acid, unsaturated fatty acids xylitol
