Chrysothamnus Nauseosus
Also known as: Ericameria nauseosa, Rubber rabbitbrush, Common rabbitbrush, Whitestem rubber rabbitbrush, Chrysothamnus nauseosus
Overview
Chrysothamnus nauseosus, also known as rubber rabbitbrush, is a perennial shrub indigenous to western North America, thriving in arid rangelands and foothills. It is characterized by its distinctive yellow flowers that bloom in late summer and its remarkable ability to regenerate after wildfires. The plant produces essential oils rich in various phytochemicals, including cinnamic acid methyl esters and other volatile compounds. While it holds ecological significance for forage, habitat restoration, and erosion control, and has limited traditional ethnobotanical uses, it is not widely recognized or studied as a mainstream dietary supplement ingredient. Research primarily focuses on its ecological role and phytochemical composition, with a notable absence of clinical or nutritional studies supporting its use in humans.
Benefits
There are no high-quality clinical trials, systematic reviews, or meta-analyses that demonstrate direct health benefits of Chrysothamnus nauseosus as a dietary supplement in humans. While some preliminary in vitro studies have explored the antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities of its essential oils, these findings have not been confirmed in human trials. The plant's marginal forage value for livestock and occasional reports of toxicity in animals suggest caution regarding its consumption. Consequently, no quantified effect sizes, specific clinical outcomes, or population-specific benefits have been established for human use.
How it works
The potential mechanisms of action for Chrysothamnus nauseosus are primarily inferred from its phytochemical composition. Its essential oils contain volatile compounds, such as cinnamic acid methyl esters, which have demonstrated antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties in laboratory (in vitro) settings. However, there is a significant lack of detailed molecular target identification or pharmacokinetic data from clinical studies in humans. The bioavailability and absorption of these compounds in the human body remain uncharacterized, meaning how the plant's constituents might interact with human biological systems is not yet understood.
Side effects
The overall safety of Chrysothamnus nauseosus as a dietary supplement is not established due to a lack of clinical research in humans. Reports indicate that the plant has marginal forage value and can be occasionally toxic to livestock, suggesting a potential for adverse effects if ingested. There are no documented common or rare side effects in humans, nor are there any known drug interactions or contraindications, primarily because human clinical data is absent. Furthermore, safety data for specific populations, such as pregnant or lactating individuals and children, is completely unavailable, warranting extreme caution.
Dosage
Due to the complete absence of clinical research on Chrysothamnus nauseosus in humans, there are no established dosing guidelines. Information regarding minimum effective doses, optimal dosages for any potential purpose, or maximum safe doses is unavailable. There are also no recommendations concerning the timing of administration, specific formulations, or factors related to absorption. Without any scientific basis, any suggested dosage would be speculative and potentially unsafe.
FAQs
Is Chrysothamnus nauseosus safe to consume as a supplement?
There is insufficient evidence to confirm the safety or efficacy of Chrysothamnus nauseosus for human consumption. Caution is strongly advised due to reports of toxicity in animals and a complete lack of human clinical data.
Does it have proven health benefits?
No clinical evidence from human trials supports any health benefits for Chrysothamnus nauseosus. Preliminary in vitro studies are not sufficient to claim benefits.
Can it be used for antimicrobial or immunomodulatory purposes?
While preliminary in vitro studies suggest potential antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activity, these findings have not been validated in human clinical trials. Its use for these purposes is not supported by current evidence.
Research Sources
- https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1910&context=wnan – This study by Kituku et al. (2004) focused on the ecological aspects of Chrysothamnus nauseosus, specifically its regrowth morphology and herbivory patterns following fire events. The research involved controlled sampling of shoots to observe morphological changes, but it did not investigate any health-related outcomes or implications for human consumption.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11314070/ – Dosoky et al. (2024) conducted a chemical profiling study of Chrysothamnus nauseosus essential oil from Montana. They identified various volatile compounds, including cinnamic acid methyl esters, and noted their potential for in vitro antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activity. This research is purely chemical and lacks any clinical data or human trials.
- https://nrcs.usda.gov/plantmaterials/mtpmcpg9696.pdf – This USDA Plant Guide (2007) and related reports describe the ecological role of Chrysothamnus nauseosus, including its use in rangeland restoration and its occasional toxicity to livestock. The document provides no information on clinical trials, human supplement use, or health benefits for humans.
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/rm/boise/research/shrub/Links/2004papers/mcarthur-chrysothamnusnauseosus2004.pdf – This paper by McArthur (2004) discusses various aspects of Chrysothamnus nauseosus, likely focusing on its ecological characteristics and management. Similar to other ecological sources, it does not provide information on human health benefits, clinical trials, or its use as a dietary supplement.
- https://ag.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Chyrsothamnus-nauseosus-hololeucus.pdf – This document from Utah Agriculture provides information on Chrysothamnus nauseosus subspecies hololeucus, likely covering its identification, distribution, and ecological significance. It does not contain any data related to human health, supplement use, or clinical efficacy.
- https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2011-06/103150.pdf – This publication from UC ANR (University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources) likely discusses Chrysothamnus nauseosus in the context of rangeland management or plant identification. It is not a source for human health benefits, clinical trials, or supplement information.