Stellaria media dry herb tincture • Zinc Oxide • Cade Oil • Chlorocresol • Peanut Oil • Alcohol .
Brand name products often contain multiple ingredients. To read detailed information about each ingredient, click on the link for the individual ingredient shown above.
Below is general information about the effectiveness of the known ingredients contained in the product Greenridge Chickweed Compound. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
There is insufficient reliable information available about the effectiveness of cade.
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
Below is general information about the safety of the known ingredients contained in the product Greenridge Chickweed Compound. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
LIKELY SAFE ...when rectified cade oil is used topically in concentrations of 1% to 5%, short-term. Preparations containing these concentrations have been used safely for short-term relief of minor skin conditions (16). The US FDA lists over-the-counter anorectal products containing cade oil (juniper tar) 1% to 5% as Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective (GRASE) (94777).
POSSIBLY UNSAFE ...when rectified cade oil is taken orally. It causes irritation of mucous membranes and has been associated with more serious adverse effects, including respiratory distress, delirium, acute renal failure, and blood dyscrasias, after both single and multiple doses (57209,94770,94772).
LIKELY UNSAFE ...when crude (unrectified) cade oil is used orally or topically. It contains carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo-alpha-pyrene and 1,2-benzanthracene (94228). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of extracts of cade leaves and berries.
CHILDREN: LIKELY UNSAFE
when unrectified or rectified cade oil or cade oil-containing products are used orally or topically.
Serious adverse effects including respiratory distress, pulmonary edema, renal and hepatic failure, convulsions, coma, and death have been reported after oral ingestion and after topical application of cade oil and cade oil-containing products (94770,94772,94776).
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of cade in pregnancy and lactation; avoid using.
LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally in the amounts commonly found in foods (12). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of chickweed when used orally or topically as a medicine.
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally in the amounts commonly found in foods (12).
There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of chickweed when used orally in amounts greater than those found in food; avoid using.
LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally in amounts commonly found in foods. Peanut oil has Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status for use in foods in the US (4912). ...when used topically. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of peanut oil when used orally in medicinal amounts or when used rectally.
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of medicinal amounts of peanut oil during pregnancy and breast-feeding; avoid using.
LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately. Zinc is safe in amounts that do not exceed the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 40 mg daily (7135). ...when used topically and appropriately (2688,6538,6539,7135,8623,11051,111291).
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately in doses higher than the tolerable upper intake level (UL). Because the UL of zinc is based on regular daily intake, short-term excursions above 40 mg daily are not likely to be harmful. In fact, there is some evidence that doses of elemental zinc as high as 80 mg daily in combination with copper 2 mg can be used safely for approximately 6 years without significant adverse effects (7303,8622,92212). However, there is some concern that doses higher than the UL of 40 mg daily might decrease copper absorption and result in anemia (7135).
POSSIBLY UNSAFE ...when used intranasally. Case reports and animal research suggest that intranasal zinc might cause permanent anosmia or loss of sense of smell (11155,11156,11703,11704,11705,11706,11707,16800,16801,17083). Several hundred reports of anosmia have been submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the manufacturer of some intranasal zinc products (Zicam) (16800,16801). Advise patients not to use intranasal zinc products.
LIKELY UNSAFE ...when taken orally in excessive amounts. Ingestion of 10-30 grams of zinc sulfate can be lethal in adults (7135). Chronic intake of 450-1600 mg daily can cause multiple forms of anemia, copper deficiency, and myeloneuropathies (7135,17092,17093,112473). This has been reported with use of zinc-containing denture adhesives in amounts exceeding the labeled directions, such as several times a day for several years (17092,17093). Advise patients to follow the label directions on denture adhesives that contain zinc.
CHILDREN: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally and appropriately (7135).
Zinc is safe in amounts that do not exceed the tolerable upper intake level (UL). The UL for children is based on age: 4 mg daily for 0-6 months, 5 mg daily for 7-12 months, 7 mg daily for 1-3 years, 12 mg daily for 4-8 years, 23 mg daily for 9-13 years, and 34 mg daily for 14-18 years (7135,97140).
CHILDREN: POSSIBLY UNSAFE
when used orally in high doses.
Taking amounts greater than the UL can cause sideroblastic anemia and copper deficiency (7135). ...when used topically on damaged skin. An infant treated with 10% zinc oxide ointment for severe diaper rash with perianal erosions developed hyperzincemia. Absorption seemed to occur mainly via the erosions; plasma levels dropped after the erosions healed despite continued use of the ointment (106905).
PREGNANCY: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally and appropriately.
Zinc is safe in amounts that do not exceed the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 34 mg daily during pregnancy in those 14-18 years of age and 40 mg daily in those 19-50 years of age (7135).
PREGNANCY: LIKELY UNSAFE
when used orally in doses exceeding the UL (7135).
LACTATION: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally and appropriately.
Zinc is safe in amounts that do not exceed the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 34 mg daily during lactation in those 14-18 years of age, and 40 mg daily for those 19-50 years of age (7135).
LACTATION: POSSIBLY UNSAFE
when used orally in doses exceeding the UL.
Higher doses can cause zinc-induced copper deficiency in nursing infants (7135).
Below is general information about the interactions of the known ingredients contained in the product Greenridge Chickweed Compound. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
Amiloride can modestly reduce zinc excretion and increase zinc levels.
Details
Clinical research shows that amiloride can reduce urinary zinc excretion, especially at doses of 10 mg per day or more. This zinc-sparing effect can help to counteract zinc losses caused by thiazide diuretics, but it is unlikely to cause zinc toxicity at usual amiloride doses (830,11626,11627,11634). The other potassium-sparing diuretics, spironolactone (Aldactone) and triamterene (Dyrenium), do not seem to have a zinc-sparing effect.
|
Zinc modestly reduces levels of atazanavir, although this effect does not seem to be clinically significant.
Details
Clinical research shows that zinc might decrease serum atazanavir levels by chelating with atazanavir in the gut and preventing its absorption (93578). Although a single dose of zinc sulfate (Solvazinc tablets) 125 mg orally does not affect atazanavir concentrations in patients being treated with atazanavir/ritonavir, co-administration of zinc sulfate 125 mg daily for 2 weeks reduces plasma levels of atazanavir by about 22% in these patients. However, despite this decrease, atazanavir levels still remain at high enough concentrations for the prevention of HIV virus replication (90216).
|
Zinc might decrease cephalexin levels by chelating with cephalexin in the gut and preventing its absorption.
Details
A pharmacokinetic study shows that zinc sulfate 250 mg taken concomitantly with cephalexin 500 mg decreases peak levels of cephalexin by 31% and reduces the exposure to cephalexin by 27%. Also, taking zinc sulfate 3 hours before cephalexin decreases peak levels of cephalexin by 11% and reduces the exposure to cephalexin by 18%. By decreasing cephalexin levels, zinc might increase the risk of treatment failure. This effect does not occur when zinc is taken 3 hours after the cephalexin dose (94163). To avoid an interaction, advise patients take zinc sulfate 3 hours after taking cephalexin.
|
Theoretically, zinc might interfere with the therapeutic effects of cisplatin.
Details
Animal research suggests that zinc stimulates tumor cell production of the protein metallothionein, which binds and inactivates cisplatin (11624,11625). It is not known whether zinc supplements or high dietary zinc intake can cause clinically significant interference with cisplatin therapy. Cisplatin might also increase zinc excretion.
|
Theoretically, taking zinc along with integrase inhibitors might decrease the levels and clinical effects of these drugs.
Details
|
Zinc might reduce the levels and clinical effects of penicillamine.
Details
By forming an insoluble complex with penicillamine, zinc interferes with penicillamine absorption and activity. Zinc supplements reduce the efficacy of low-dose penicillamine (0.5-1 gram/day), but do not seem to affect higher doses (1-2.75 gram/day), provided dosing times are separated (2678,4534,11605). Advise patients to take zinc and penicillamine at least 2 hours apart.
|
Zinc can decrease the levels and clinical effects of quinolones antibiotics.
Details
|
Zinc modestly reduces levels of ritonavir.
Details
Clinical research shows that zinc might reduce serum ritonavir levels by chelating with ritonavir in the gut and preventing its absorption (93578). In patients with HIV, ritonavir is taken with atazanavir to prevent the metabolism and increase the effects of atazanavir. A pharmacokinetic study shows that, in patients being treated with atazanavir/ritonavir, co-administration of zinc sulfate (Solvazinc tablets) 125 mg as a single dose or as multiple daily doses for 2 weeks reduces plasma levels of ritonavir by about 16% (90216). However, atazanavir levels still remains high enough to prevent HIV virus replication. Therefore, the decrease in ritonavir levels is not likely to be clinically significant.
|
Zinc might reduce levels of tetracycline antibiotics.
Details
Tetracyclines form complexes with zinc in the gastrointestinal tract, which can reduce absorption of both the tetracycline and zinc when taken at the same time (3046,4945). Taking zinc sulfate 200 mg with tetracycline reduces absorption of the antibiotic by 30% to 40% (11615). Demeclocycline and minocycline cause a similar interaction (4945). However, doxycycline does not seem to interact significantly with zinc (11615). Advise patients to take tetracyclines at least 2 hours before, or 4-6 hours after, zinc supplements to avoid any interactions.
|
Below is general information about the adverse effects of the known ingredients contained in the product Greenridge Chickweed Compound. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
General
...Topical application of rectified cade oil 1% to 5% is well tolerated (16).
Oral use of rectified or crude cade oil and topical use of crude cade oil are associated with serious adverse effects when taken either in single or multiple doses. Adverse effects associated with topical application generally occur in infants and children (94770,94772). Symptoms include respiratory distress, agitation, acute renal failure, metabolic acidosis, hepatic damage, hypotension, tachycardia, heart failure, mydriasis, electrolyte disturbances, convulsions, anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, hypotonia, delirium, somnolence, and coma. The effects are similar to phenol poisoning and are thought to be due to phenol, cresol, and guaiacols present in cade oil (57209,94770,94772). In a series of 30 cases describing the adverse effects of cade oil in Moroccan patients, there were 3 deaths: two involved oral ingestion and one topical, two were in infants, and two were due to acute renal failure (94772).
A 30-day old baby presented 30 minutes after a thick layer of cade oil had been applied to the face, neck and arms. Symptoms included respiratory distress with an oxygen saturation of 50%, hypotonia, convulsions, severe hypotension, tachycardia, pulmonary edema, acute renal failure, liver dysfunction, and metabolic acidosis. With symptomatic treatment, the baby recovered within one week, although it took three weeks for renal function to completely normalize (94770).
A 4-month old baby given a rectal enema containing cade oil to treat atopic dermatitis, presented with respiratory failure, diffuse pulmonary edema, hypotonia, severe hypotension, and coma requiring intensive supportive treatment (94776).
A 32-year old man who ingested a "spoonful" of homemade cade oil presented with fever, headache, myalgias, nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, gingival erosions, productive cough, and hypotension. Symptoms progressed to tachycardia, tachypnea, hypothermia, acute renal failure, thrombocytopenia, and a maculopapular rash with pustular lesions around the nose and mouth. He received supportive and symptomatic treatment for 11 days and made a full recovery (57209).
There is no reliable information about the adverse effects of cade leaves and berries.
Cardiovascular ...Oral ingestion and topical application of cade oil have been associated with hypotension, tachycardia, and heart failure (94770,94776).
Dermatologic ...Topical application of cade oil can cause urticaria, localized edema, and purpura (94772). After oral ingestion of a "spoonful" of homemade cade oil, a 32-year old man developed a maculopapular rash with pustular lesions around the nose and mouth (57209).
Gastrointestinal ...Oral ingestion of a "spoonful" of homemade cade oil was associated with gingival erosions, nausea, vomiting, and dyspepsia in a 32-year old man (57209).
Hematologic ...Oral ingestion and topical application of cade oil have been associated with anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia (57209,94772).
Hepatic ...Systemic absorption of cade oil after topical application can result in liver dysfunction with elevated liver function tests (LFTs) (94770,94772).
Musculoskeletal ...Oral ingestion and topical application of cade oil have been associated with hypotonia and myalgias (57209,94770,94776).
Neurologic/CNS ...Oral ingestion and topical application of cade oil have been associated with headache, convulsions, and coma (57209,94770,94776).
Ocular/Otic ...Cade oil can irritate the cornea and cause chemosis (edema of the conjunctiva) (16). Oral ingestion or topical application of cade oil has been associated with mydriasis (94772).
Pulmonary/Respiratory ...Oral ingestion and topical application of cade oil have been associated with respiratory distress, tachypnea, and pulmonary edema (94770,94776).
Renal ...Oral ingestion and topical application of cade oil can result in acute renal failure (16,57209,94770,94772).
General ...Orally, chickweed is generally well tolerated when consumed in food amounts. There is currently a limited amount of information on the adverse effects of chickweed when used as a medicine. A thorough evaluation of safety outcomes has not been conducted.
Immunologic ...Topically, chickweed extract has been reported to cause contact dermatitis (13478,41587,41590).
Neurologic/CNS ...Orally, consumption of large amounts of chickweed tea has been associated with some poorly documented cases of human paralysis (6). There is also one case of alleged nitrate toxicity leading to paralysis, but the chickweed implicated in this case may have been contaminated with fertilizer (12).
General
...Orally and topically, peanut oil is well tolerated.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
All routes of administration: Severe allergic reactions.
Immunologic ...Peanut oil can cause a severe allergic reaction in individuals allergic to the Fabaceae family. Members of this family include peanuts and soybeans (4079,4080). Peanut allergy is the number one cause of fatal food-induced anaphylaxis with hypersensitivity in 6% to 8% of children and 1% of adults. Various peanut protein allergens have been identified. Refined peanut oil, without contamination with peanut protein, is not allergenic. However, contamination of refined peanut oil can produce allergic reactions (94311).
General
...Orally, zinc is well tolerated in doses below the tolerable upper intake level (UL), which is 40 mg daily for adults.
Topically, zinc is well tolerated.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Abdominal cramps, diarrhea, metallic taste, nausea and vomiting (dose-related).
Topically: Burning, discoloration, itching, stinging, and tingling when applied to irritated tissue.
Intranasally: Bad taste, dry mouth, headache, irritation, reduced sense of smell.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: There have been cases of acute renal tubular necrosis, interstitial nephritis, neurological complications, severe vomiting, and sideroblastic anemia after zinc overdose.
Intranasally: There have been cases where intranasal zinc caused permanent loss of smell (anosmia).
Dermatologic
...Topically, zinc can cause burning, stinging, itching, and tingling when applied to inflamed tissue (6911,8623,87297).
Zinc oxide can be deposited in the submucosal tissue and cause dark discoloration of the skin. This can occur with prolonged topical application to intact skin, application to eroded or ulcerated skin, or penetrating traumatic exposure, and also parenteral administration (8618).
In rare cases, oral zinc has resulted in worsened acne (104056), skin sensitivity (6592), a leishmanial reaction with a macular rash that occurred on exposed parts of the body (86935), eczema (104055), systemic contact dermatitis (109457), and the development of severe seborrheic dermatitis (86946).
Gastrointestinal
...Orally, zinc can cause nausea (338,2663,2681,6592,6700,18216,106230,106233,106227), vomiting (2663,2681,6519,6592,96069,96074), a metallic or objectionable taste in the mouth (336,338,6700,11350,18216,106902), abdominal cramping (6592,96069), indigestion (87227), heartburn (96069), dry mouth (87533), and mouth irritation (336,2619).
When used orally in amounts above the tolerable upper intake level, zinc may cause irritation and corrosion of the gastrointestinal tract (331,86982,87315,106902), watery diarrhea (1352), epigastric pain (2663,2681), and severe vomiting (2663,2681).
Intranasally, zinc can cause bad taste, dry mouth, and burning and irritation of the throat (8628,8629).
When used topically as a mouth rinse, zinc may cause tooth staining (90206).
Hematologic ...There is concern that high daily doses of zinc, above the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 40 mg per day, might increase the risk of copper deficiency, potentially leading to anemia and leukopenia (7135,112473). To prevent copper deficiency, some clinicians give a small dose of copper when zinc is used in high doses, long-term (7303).
Hepatic ...There are two cases of liver deterioration in patients with Wilson disease following initiation of treatment with zinc 50-200 mg three times daily. The mechanism of action is not understood, and the event is extremely uncommon (86927,87470).
Immunologic ...Daily doses of 300 mg of supplemental zinc for 6 weeks appear to impair immune response (7135). A case of erythematosus-like syndrome, including symptoms such as fever, leg ulcers, and rash, has been reported following intake of effervescent tablets (Solvezink) containing zinc 45 mg (87506). In another case, severe neutropenia was reported after taking supplemental zinc 900 mg daily for an unknown duration (112473).
Neurologic/CNS
...Zinc-containing denture adhesives can cause toxicity if used more frequently than recommended for several years.
Case reports describe hyperzincemia, low copper levels, blood dyscrasias, and neurological problems, including sensory disturbances, numbness, tingling, limb weakness, and difficulty walking in patients applying denture adhesive multiple times daily for several years (17092,17093,90205,90233). Due to reports of zinc toxicity associated with use of excessive amounts of zinc-containing denture adhesives for several years, GlaxoSmithKline has reformulated Polygrip products to remove their zinc content (17092,17093).
Intranasally (8628) and orally (87534), zinc can cause headache. When used orally in amounts above the tolerable upper intake level (UL), zinc may cause central nervous system (CNS) symptoms including lethargy, fatigue, neuropathy, dizziness, and paresthesia (2663,2681,87369,87470,87533,87534,112473).
Oncologic ...There is concern that zinc might worsen prostate disease. For example, some preliminary evidence suggests that higher dietary zinc intake increases the risk for benign prostatic hyperplasia (6908). Epidemiological evidence suggests that taking more than 100 mg of supplemental zinc daily or taking supplemental zinc for 10 or more years doubles the risk of developing prostate cancer (10306). Another large-scale population study also suggests that men who take a multivitamin more than 7 times per week and who also take a separate zinc supplement have a significantly increased risk of prostate cancer-related mortality (15607). However, a large analysis of population research suggests that there is no association between zinc intake and the risk of prostate cancer (96075).
Pulmonary/Respiratory
...There are several hundred reports of complete loss of sense of smell (anosmia) that may be permanent with use of zinc gluconate nasal gel, such as Zicam (11306,11155,11707,16800,16801,17083,86999,87535).
Loss of sense of smell is thought to be dose related but has also been reported following a single application (11306,11155,11707,16800). Patients often report having sniffed deeply when applying the gel, then experiencing an immediate burning sensation, and noticing anosmia within 48 hours (17083). On June 16, 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised patients not to use a specific line of commercial zinc nasal products (Zicam) after receiving 130 reports of loss of smell (16800). The manufacturer of these products had also received several hundred reports of loss of smell related to its intranasal zinc products (16801). Zinc sulfate nasal spray was used unsuccessfully for polio prophylaxis before the polio vaccine was developed. It caused loss of smell and/or taste, which was sometimes permanent (11713). Animal studies suggest that zinc sulfate negatively affects smell, possibly by damaging the olfactory epithelium and neurons (11156,11703,11704,11705,11706). Zinc gluconate nasal spray has not been tested for safety in animals or humans. The clinical studies of intranasal zinc have not described anosmia as an adverse effect, but testing was not done to see if zinc use adversely affected sense of smell (6471,8628,8629,10247). Also, these clinical studies reported tingling or burning sensation in the nostril, dry nose, nose pain, and nosebleeds.
When used in amounts above the tolerable upper intake level (UL), zinc may cause flu-like symptoms including coughing (2663).
Renal ...In overdose, zinc can cause acute renal tubular necrosis and interstitial nephritis (331,1352,87338).
Other ...Occupational inhalation of zinc oxide fumes can cause metal fume fever with symptoms including fatigue, chills, fever, myalgias, cough, dyspnea, leukocytosis, thirst, metallic taste, and salivation (331).