-IBIS-1.5.0-
rx
herb
Brassica spp. (Cabbage, Kale, Cauliflower, Mustard, Broccoli, Etc.)
botanicals
definition
botanical name(s): Brassica oleacea, B. nigra (old genus name Sinapis)
synonyms: cabbage, kale, cauliflower, mustard, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, etc.
part(s) used: seed
qualities:
affinities:
actions:
dosage:
» B. alba seed: as emetic 4 - 12 g in 4-8 oz warm water
» B. nigra seed: external use only, 1/12 - 1/4 deep poultice (pyrrolizidine alkaloids 2 - 10 ppm)
therapy:
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 1
toxicity: 1; essential oil is very toxic
» contraindicated during pregnancy; possible abortifacient (Brinker, p. 110; Fuller and McClintock, p. 106)
» may cause changes in lactation, especially in regards to nutritional quality and flavor (Muenscher, p. 19)
» contraindicated in patients with thyroid problems, and caution is advised in patients with history of recent surgery, diabetes, hypoglycemia, nephrotic syndrome, urinary tract infections, acute infectious hepatitis, leukemias, Graves disease, hypothyroidism or related genetic disorders
(Langer and Greer, pp. 66-67)
» use with caution in young children, geriatric patients and renal patients due to possible suppression of urinary flow
» studies have shown possible goitrogenic response due to thiocyanates; less prevalent than is seen with other members of the mustard family; reduced iodine levels are most notable in milk produced by Brassicacea herbivores (Brinker, p. 19; Fuller and McClintock, p. 327; Langer and Greer, pp. 66-67)
» Hepatotoxicity and hepatogenic photosensitization have been linked to the Brassica toxin phylloerythin (Keeler and Tu, pp. 350-352)
» Isothiocyanates (mustard oils) cause a burning and irritation of epidermal and endodermal tissues, especially of the oropharynx and upper gastrointestinal tract. There is a potential for desquamation, ulceration and sloughing off of tissues. Following systemic uptake, liver and kidney damage can also occur (Fuller and McClintock, p. 106; Felter and Lloyd, p. 1758)
» The volatile oil is an intense irritant poison, producing intense burning pain and destruction of tissue. Profound depression, renal hyperemia and insensibility precede death (Felter, p. 633)
» The use of mustard as an emetic is contraindicated in cases of irritative poisoning or corrosive poisonings due to the re-exposure of esophageal tissue to corrosives (Brinker)
» contraindicated in stomach inflammation or intestinal inflammation due to the irritation caused by allyl isothiocyanate release (Felter & Lloyd)
» contraindicated for use externally over unprotected skin or applied for a long time (Lust) due to blistering and ulceration caused by isothiocyanate in the volatile oil
» contraindicated during pregnancy (Brinker) due to its potential abortifacient effect when taken in large amounts (Brinker, Farnsworth)
constituents: glucosinolates, sinapine, sinapic acid, fixed oil, protein, mucilage
drug interactions:
» Regular consumption of broccoli or other green, leafy vegetables high in vitamin K can interfere with the action of warfarin (Kempin, Walker)
footnotes
Brinker, Francis. 1997. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Farnsworth NR, Bingel AS, Cordell GA, Crane FA, Fong HHS. 1975. Potential Value of Plants as Sources of New Antifertility Agents I. J. Pharm. Sci., 64:535-98.
Felter, H. W., and Lloyd, J. U. 1983. King's American Dispensatory, Vols. I and II. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Felter, H.W. & Scudder, John K., 1922. The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Cincinnati, Ohio. Reprinted in 1985 by Eclectic Medical Publications, Portland, OR.
Fuller, T.C., and McClintock, E. 1986. Poisonous Plants of California. Los Angeles: University of Southern California Press.
Keeler, R.F., and Tu, A.T. 1983. Handbook of Natural Toxins. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.
Kempin SJ. 1983.Warfarin resistance caused by broccoli. New Engl. J Med., 308:1229-30.
Langer, P., and Greer, M.A. 1977. Anti-thyroid substances and Naturally Occurring Goitrogens. New York: Karyer, Greer.
Lust, J. 1983. The Herb Book. New York: Bantam Books.
Muenscher, W.C. 1951. Poisonous Plants of the United States. New York: The MacMillan Company.
Walker FB. 1984. Myocardial Infarction After Diet-Induced Warfarin Resistance. Arch. Intern. Med., 144:2089-90.