Hemlock bark

Hemlock is a plant whose bark is used as a medicine.

Hemlockbark is used to treat indigestion, diarrhea, vitamin C deficiency, scurvy and diseases of the mouth and throat.

How does hemlock bark work?

Hemlock bark contains tannins. Drying chemicals such as tannins can contract the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat and digestive tract and form a protective layer on their surface.

How effective is hemlock bark?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of hemlock bark for indigestion, diarrhea, mouth and throat disorders, and severe vitamin C deficiency known as scurvy. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of hemlock bark in these applications.

Safety and side effects

There is not enough information to say whether hemlock bark is safe and harmless or what side effects it may have.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: Not enough is known about the use of hemlock bark during pregnancy and lactation. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid hemlock bark.

Interactions

Care should be taken when combining hemlock bark with the following medications:

Lithium

Hemlock bark may have a dehydrating (diuretic) effect. Taking hemlock bark may interfere with the body's excretion of lithium, which could result in increased lithium levels and serious side effects. For this reason, it is important to consult your doctor before using hemlock bark if you are taking lithium. The lithium dosage may need to be adjusted.

Medication taken orally

Hemlock bark contains large amounts of tannins. Tannins absorb substances in the stomach and intestines. Taking hemlock bark in combination with oral medications can reduce the amount of active drug ingredients absorbed by the body and thus reduce the effectiveness of these medications. To prevent this interaction, hemlock bark should be taken at least one hour after oral medication.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of hemlock bark depends on various factors such as age, health status and others. At this time, there is insufficient scientific data to determine appropriate dosage ranges for hemlock bark. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.