Solomon’s Seal - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Who should not use Solomon’s seal?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Solomon’s seal.

• Huang Jing
• King Solomon’s seal
• Polygonatum species
• Solomon’s seal
• Yu Zhu
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific Solomon’s seal products they stock.

What should I know about Solomon’s seal before using it?

Solomon’s seal is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Solomon’s seal is available in many forms. Common forms include capsules, dried rhizome, teas, powders, and liquid extracts (tinctures). Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.

The berries of the Solomon’s seal plant are poisonous. Do not eat the berries. Only use products made from the rhizome (the underground stem), which is the part used in supplements. The raw, unprocessed rhizome can be harmful and is usually dried or otherwise prepared before use. Use only prepared products, and follow the directions on the label.

Solomon’s seal may be made from different polygonatum plant species. Each species contains different chemicals that may have different effects on the body. It is important to read the product label to confirm which plant was used to make that product.

Keep Solomon’s seal out of the reach of children.

Solomon’s seal can look similar to another plant called lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis), which is poisonous and can cause serious heart problems. If you grow or gather your own plants, make sure you can tell them apart. Only use commercially prepared products from a trusted source.

Herbal products, such as Solomon’s seal, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific Solomon’s seal 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 that the plant was processed after it was harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

The FDA has not tested Solomon’s seal 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.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Solomon’s seal?

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 Solomon’s seal is right for you.

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

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have or have had any of the following.

• Diabetes or low blood sugar
• Planned surgery

Other Medicines and Supplements. Before taking Solomon’s seal, 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.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Solomon’s seal could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Solomon’s seal passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.