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Oscher

Oscher(Calotropis), also known as the fat-leaf tree, is a plant whose bark and root bark are used as medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, oscher is used for digestive disorders including diarrhea, constipation and stomach ulcers, for painful conditions including toothache, cramps and joint pain, and for parasitic infestations including worm infestations. Some people use oscher for syphilis, scalds, inflammatory swellings, epilepsy, hysteria, fever, muscle spasms, warts, leprosy, gout, snake bites and cancer. In the field of inhalation therapy, the smoke from the burnt bark is inhaled to treat coughs and asthma and to promote sweating.

How does Oscher work?

Oscher contains chemicals that may help to thin mucus and make it easier to cough up phlegm. In animal studies, Oscher has shown some activity against pain, inflammation, bacteria, fever and stomach ulcers caused by alcohol or medications such as aspirin, indomethacin and others.

How effective is Oscher?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of oscher for toothache, syphilis, epilepsy, fever, leprosy, gout, snakebite, digestive tract disorders, diarrhea, cramps, scalds, cancer, inflammatory swellings, joint pain and stomach pain, as well as the effectiveness of inhaled oscher for coughs and asthma. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of Oscher for these conditions.

Safety and side effects

Oscher is not safe and harmless, especially in large quantities. It contains chemicals that can impair heart function, especially in higher doses. Oscher can cause serious side effects including vomiting, diarrhea, slow heartbeat, convulsions and death. It is not known if it is safe and harmless to inhale the smoke from Oscher.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: Oscher is not safe to use during pregnancy and lactation.

Interactions

Care should be taken when taking Oscher in combination with the following medications

Digoxin

Digoxin helps the heart to beat more strongly. Oscher appears to affect the heart. Taking Oscher in combination with digoxin may increase the effect of digoxin and the risk of side effects. For this reason, if you are taking digoxin, you should only use Oscher after consulting your doctor.

Lithium

Oscher may have a dehydrating effect. Taking Oscher 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 Oscher if you are taking lithium. The lithium dosage may need to be adjusted.

Stimulant laxatives

Oscher can affect the heart. The heart uses potassium. Laxatives, called stimulant laxatives, can lower potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the risk of side effects from Oscher.

Diuretics

Oscher can affect the heart. Diuretics can lower potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can affect the heart and increase the risk of side effects from Oscher.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of Oscher 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 Oscher. For this reason, you should follow the dosing instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

  1. Kumar VL, Basu N. Anti-inflammatory activity of the latex of Calotropis procera. J Ethnopharmacol 1994;44:123-5.
  2. Mascolo N, Sharma R, Jain SC, et al. Ethnopharmacology of Calotropis procera flowers. J Ethnopharmacol 1988;22:211-21.
  3. Mossa JS, Tariq M, Mohsin A, et al. Pharmacological studies on aerial parts of Calotropis procera. Am J Chin Med 1991;19:223-31.
  4. Osol and Farar. The Dispensatory of the United States of America. 25th ed. JB Lippincott Co, 1955.
  5. Sen T, Basu A, Chaudhuri AK. Studies on the possible mechanism of the gastric mucosal protection by Calotropis procera - involvement of 5-lipoxygenase pathway. Fund Clin Pharmacol 1998;12:82-7.