Gelsemium

Alchemica · January 19, 2015

I became interested in Gelsemium after reading 'Extreme sensitivity of gene expression in human SH-SY5Y neurocytes to ultra-low doses of Gelsemium sempervirens' and located the plants at Bunnings. My main interest was the potential for ultra-low/homeopathic doses of the plant to be effective for anxiety [1] The plant is quite interesting, so I'll share some info:

Uses:

"Many studies have shown that the extracts and active alkaloids of Gelsemium have a variety of biological effects, including immunosuppressive and antitumor effects. Gelsemium has also been used to treat asthma, skin ulcers, whooping cough, hysteria, dysmenorrhea, chorea, pneumonia and bronchitis. It is interesting to note that G. elegans Benth. is also used to accelerate the growth of livestock and poultry such as chickens, horses, pigs and cows in China.

Gelsemium has several beneficial effects on the human central nervous system. Animal studies have shown that Gelsemium extracts, total alkaloids and single alkaloids such as gelsemine, koumine and gelsenicine have several biological effects on the central nervous system, such as analgesic, anxiolytic, sedative, antidepressant and antispasmodic effects. For example, the extracts and active alkaloids of Gelsemium significantly increase the sedative and hypnotic effects in mice. They also exhibit anxiolytic effects in a variety of animal anxiety models, such as the elevated plus maze model.

There may be some differences in traditional use among the three species. G. sempervirens Ait. has traditionally been used to treat pain, asthma and respiratory ailments, in addition to homeopathy in low and even ultra-low doses. Despite its toxicity, G. elegans Benth. has been used in Chinese folk medicine as a remedy for neuralgia and various painful conditions, inflammations and cancers. G. rankinii Small is a rare species originating from the southeastern United States, and has been addressed in few biological reports."

The initial article that reported effects on gene expression from very low concentrations (Gelsemium s. at 2c -30c dilution) has been criticised in the commentary 'High diluted molecules and gene expression'

For more information see:

Medicinal plants of the genus Gelsemium (Gelsemiaceae, Gentianales) - A review of their phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and traditional use.

Medicinal plants of the genus Gelsemium pt1.pdf

Medicinal plants of the genus Gelsemium pt2.pdf

Gelsemium analgesia and the spinal glycine receptor/allopregnanolone pathway

Genus Gelsemium analgesia and the spinal glycine receptor allopregnanolone pathway.pdf

Traditional use: Gelsemium (U. S. P.)

Preparations: Fluid Extract of Gelsemium - Tincture of Gelsemium

Gelsemium sempervirens - Wildcrafting and Medicine Making

:excl: Gelsemium plants and extracts are highly poisonous. The leaves, stems and roots are equally toxic.

Given their narrow therapeutic windows, their clinical uses are greatly limited.

gelsemium tox.pdf

Chemistry:

Indole alkaloids such as gelsemine, koumine, gelsemicine, gelsenicine, gelsedine, sempervirine, koumidine, koumicine and humantenine are the major active components in Gelsemium. Gelsemine is the principle alkaloid in G. sempervirens Ait. (0.07% by weight), which has lesser amounts of other related alkaloids but probably no koumine. Koumine is the dominant alkaloid in Gelsemium elegans Benth. at approximately 0.38% by weight. Gelsemine is the second-most present alkaloid in G. elegans Benth. at approximately 0.12% by weight.