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Overview: Gelsemium is a flowering vine. The root and other parts of the plant are used to make tinctures and other products. Gelsemium has been used in traditional and homeopathic practice for pain, anxiety, headaches, and skin problems, but these benefits are not well defined and are not backed by good human research. Most importantly, gelsemium is highly poisonous. All parts of the plant contain toxic chemicals, and even small amounts can cause serious harm or death. Talk to your health care provider before using any gelsemium product.

Uses

What is gelsemium used for?

Gelsemium (species in the gelsemium group of plants) has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine and in homeopathy, but it is best known for being highly poisonous. There is no good evidence for the use of gelsemium in humans and its benefits are not well defined. Despite this, it is sometimes used for the reasons below, as well as others.

Note: The FDA has not reviewed gelsemium for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here. Learn more about homeopathic products here.

How does gelsemium work (mechanism of action)?

Gelsemium comes from climbing vines with fragrant yellow flowers. Two species have mainly been used for health purposes. 

  • Gelsemium sempervirens (yellow jessamine), which grows in North America. This is the species used most often in homeopathic products in North America. These products are often marketed for anxiety, nervousness, and stage fright.
  • Gelsemium elegans (sometimes called heartbreak grass), which grows in Southeast Asia. This species has been used in traditional Chinese medicine. The root and other parts of the plant are used to make products such as tinctures (liquid extracts). In traditional practice, Gelsemium elegans has been used for pain, nerve pain, and related problems.

Gelsemium plants are rich in a large group of chemicals called monoterpene indole alkaloids. More than 120 of these alkaloids have been found in the plant. The best-studied ones include gelsemine, koumine, gelsenicine, and gelsevirine. In laboratory and animal research, some of these alkaloids appear to act on the nervous system. Gelsemine and koumine have been shown to affect a target in the spinal cord called the glycine receptor and increase the body’s production of a calming steroid called allopregnanolone, which may play a role in their pain-relieving effects in animals. Gelsemine also affects GABA receptors. Some researchers think this may contribute more to its toxic effects than to any calming effect. Gelsenicine, one of the most toxic chemicals in the plant, appears to act on receptors for acetylcholine (a nerve-signaling chemical), which might help explain both its effects and toxicity.

Many gelsemium products are homeopathic. Homeopathic products are very dilute, which means they contain very small amounts of each ingredient. Sometimes, these amounts are so small that there may not be any gelsemium in the product at all. But pure gelsemium can be poisonous and cause serious side effects when taken by mouth.

The benefits of gelsemium are not well defined. Almost all of the research is from laboratory and animal studies. There is no good evidence in humans that gelsemium helps with any health condition. Just as importantly, these same alkaloids are what make the plant poisonous, and the amount needed to cause harm can be very close to any amount thought to have an effect. Because of this, most experts do not consider gelsemium safe to take by mouth.

Herbal products, such as gelsemium, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amounts of each chemical in a specific gelsemium product may vary. Some, none, or all of these chemicals may have effects on the body. These effects may change depending on how much of each chemical is found in the product you are using.

How should I store gelsemium?

You should store gelsemium according to the product label. Most products should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of gelsemium?

Gelsemium is a highly poisonous plant, and there is not enough research to know what side effects may happen at the low doses found in some products. Because the plant is toxic, even small amounts taken by mouth can cause poisoning. Early signs of gelsemium poisoning that have been reported include the following.

  • Dizziness
  • Weakness
  • Drooping of the eyelids
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Dry mouth and trouble swallowing
  • Nausea

Do not ignore these symptoms. Stop using the product and get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms. See the Serious Side Effects section for more details.

There may be other side effects of gelsemium that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of gelsemium?

While less common, the most serious side effects of gelsemium are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Gelsemium Poisoning. Gelsemium is highly toxic. All parts of the plant contain poisonous chemicals, and swallowing even a small amount can cause severe, life-threatening poisoning. In parts of Asia, Gelsemium elegans has been a cause of serious and deadly poisonings. Poisoning can lead to death, often from slowed or stopped breathing. If you think you or someone else has been poisoned by gelsemium, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222. Below are some possible signs of poisoning.

  • Severe muscle weakness
  • Drooping eyelids
  • Trouble swallowing or speaking
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Dizziness
  • Sweating
  • Slow or irregular heartbeat
  • Seizures
  • Trouble breathing.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Gelsemium may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using gelsemium and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use gelsemium?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use gelsemium.

  • Carolina jasmine
  • Carolina jessamine
  • Evening trumpet flower
  • Gelsemium
  • Gelsemium elegans
  • Gelsemium root
  • Gelsemium sempervirens
  • Yellow jasmine
  • Yellow jessamine
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific gelsemium products they stock.

What should I know about gelsemium before using it?

Gelsemium may be sold as a dietary supplement or as a homeopathic product. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Gelsemium is highly poisonous. All parts of the plant contain toxic chemicals, and the amount that could cause harm can be very close to the amount some people take for an effect. There is no widely accepted safe dose of raw gelsemium taken by mouth. Do not make your own gelsemium products, and do not collect or eat any part of the plant. Keep the plant and any products made from it away from children and pets. Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are using, or use it as recommended by your health care provider.

Because gelsemium is highly poisonous, many experts advise against taking it by mouth at all. This is especially important for children, older adults, pregnant or breastfeeding people, and anyone with a serious health condition who may be more sensitive to its toxic effects. Talk to your health care provider before using any gelsemium product.

Gelsemium is available in different forms, including liquid extracts (tinctures) and very diluted homeopathic products. Different products may contain very different amounts of the plant’s toxic chemicals, so they cannot be assumed to be equally safe.

Herbal products, such as gelsemium, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific gelsemium product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year when it was harvested, and the way the plant was processed after being harvested. If you switch to a new product or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. With a poisonous plant like gelsemium, this variability can be dangerous. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

The FDA has not tested gelsemium products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

Gelsemium may also be used in homeopathic products, which are expected to contain only very small amounts of each ingredient. However, some homeopathic products have been found to contain larger amounts than those listed on the label. These large amounts can cause serious side effects. Learn more about the risks of homeopathic products here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using gelsemium?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if gelsemium is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Gelsemium may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using gelsemium, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Because gelsemium can be toxic, be sure to tell your health care provider if you have any of the following conditions before using gelsemium.

  • Heart problems
  • Breathing problems
  • Nervous system problems

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how gelsemium could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Because gelsemium is a poisonous plant and its safety in pregnancy has not been studied, it should not be used during pregnancy. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if gelsemium passes into breast milk. Because gelsemium is a poisonous plant and its safety while breastfeeding has not been studied, it should not be used while breastfeeding. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does gelsemium interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between gelsemium and foods or drinks. However, because gelsemium may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and weakness, drinking alcohol while using it could make these effects worse. It is best to avoid alcohol while using gelsemium.

Does gelsemium interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using so they can watch for any potential interactions.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using gelsemium.

  • Any medicine or supplement that can cause dizziness, sleepiness, or slowed breathing, such as prescription pain medicines, sedatives or sleep medicines, or medicines for anxiety
  • An opioid, such as codeine, fentanyl, morphine, or oxycodone, which is a medicine used to treat certain types of pain
  • A muscle relaxant, such as carisoprodol (Soma), cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone, or tizanidine (Zanaflex)
  • Certain allergy or cold medicines

The interactions between gelsemium and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements or homeopathic products, the research on drug interactions with gelsemium is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before using gelsemium with any medicines.

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much gelsemium?

If you or someone else has used too much gelsemium, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Gelsemium is highly poisonous, and taking too much can cause severe, life-threatening poisoning very quickly. Warning signs include severe muscle weakness, drooping eyelids, trouble swallowing or breathing, blurred vision, a slow or irregular heartbeat, seizures, and fainting. Do not wait for symptoms to get worse before seeking help.

Gelsemium is usually supplied as a liquid extract (tincture) or as a very diluted homeopathic product. Read the product label closely and speak to a health care provider about how to use gelsemium safely. Do not use double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.