Nandina
Also known as: Nandina, Heavenly Bamboo, Nandina domestica
Overview
Nandina domestica, commonly known as Nandina or Heavenly Bamboo, is an evergreen shrub native to eastern Asia. It is widely cultivated globally as an ornamental plant due to its attractive foliage and berries. Historically, it has been utilized in traditional Chinese and Japanese herbal medicine for various ailments, including respiratory conditions like colds, fevers, asthma, and chronic bronchitis. The plant contains several bioactive compounds, notably nantenine, which has demonstrated pharmacological activities such as antagonism of serotonergic and adrenergic receptors. Despite its traditional medicinal applications, Nandina is recognized for its toxicity, particularly its berries, which contain cyanogenic glycosides and other harmful compounds. Furthermore, it is considered an invasive species in certain regions, posing ecological concerns. Due to its inherent toxicity and lack of robust clinical safety data, its use as a dietary supplement is not recommended.
Benefits
While *Nandina domestica* has traditional uses, evidence-based benefits for human supplementation are limited and primarily derived from preclinical studies. Nantenine, a compound found in *Nandina*, acts as an antagonist to serotonergic (5-HT2A) and adrenergic (α1 and α2) receptors. This mechanism suggests potential effects on vascular contraction and central nervous system modulation, as observed in animal studies. Extracts from *Nandina* fruits and leaves have also shown insect repellent activity against *Aedes albopictus* mosquitoes, providing protection for approximately 3 hours in laboratory settings. Traditionally, it has been used for respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic bronchitis; however, these uses are based on ethnopharmacological data and lack support from high-quality clinical trials. The strength of evidence for any human health benefit is currently very low, with no confirmed efficacy for specific conditions or populations.
How it works
The primary mechanism of action attributed to *Nandina domestica* involves the compound nantenine. Nantenine functions as a receptor antagonist, specifically targeting serotonergic (5-HT2A) and adrenergic (α1 and α2) receptors. In preclinical models, this antagonism has been shown to suppress serotonin-induced contraction in isolated rabbit aorta and inhibit head twitch responses in mice by blocking CNS 5-HT2A receptors. It also suppresses adrenergic pressor responses through α1 and α2 receptor antagonism. These actions suggest a modulatory effect on vascular tone and central nervous system activity. The insect repellent effect is believed to be due to other bioactive compounds present in ethanol extracts of the plant, though their precise molecular targets and mechanisms are not yet fully elucidated.
Side effects
*Nandina domestica* poses significant safety concerns, primarily due to the high toxicity of its berries. These berries contain cyanogenic glycosides and other toxic compounds, which can be harmful or even fatal if ingested by humans or animals. Symptoms of poisoning can include gastrointestinal upset, respiratory distress, and neurological effects. While there are no high-quality clinical safety data specifically for human supplementation, the known toxicity of the plant components strongly contraindicates its internal use. There are no documented drug interactions or contraindications from clinical studies, largely because its use as a supplement is not supported or advised due to its inherent toxicity. The plant is also considered an invasive species in some regions, highlighting its potential negative ecological impacts. Due to the lack of safety data and the presence of potent toxins, *Nandina* should not be consumed as a supplement, and caution should be exercised around the plant, especially concerning children and pets.
Dosage
There are no established or safe dosing guidelines for *Nandina domestica* for human consumption, either from clinical trials or systematic reviews. Traditional uses involved various herbal preparations, but these lack standardization, and the quantification of active compounds and safe dosages remains undefined. Due to the significant toxicity concerns, particularly from the cyanogenic glycosides present in its berries, self-administration or supplementation with *Nandina* in any form is strongly advised against and should not be undertaken without strict medical supervision, which is currently not recommended given the safety profile. There are no known upper limits or safety thresholds for human intake because any internal consumption is considered unsafe. The form and absorption factors are also not studied in a clinical context for human use.
FAQs
Is *Nandina* safe to consume as a supplement?
No, there is no clinical evidence supporting safe human consumption. The berries are toxic, and no established dosing or safety data exist for its use as a supplement, making it unsafe for internal use.
Does *Nandina* have proven therapeutic benefits?
Pharmacological studies show receptor antagonism and insect repellent effects in preclinical models. However, no rigorous human clinical trials confirm its efficacy for treating human diseases, and traditional uses lack strong scientific validation.
Can *Nandina* be used as an insect repellent?
Extracts have shown insect repellent activity against mosquitoes in laboratory studies. However, practical applications and safety for human use as a repellent require further validation and are not yet established.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11263726/ – This systematic review by Qian et al. (2024) summarizes the traditional uses and pharmacological activities of *Nandina domestica*. It highlights nantenine's receptor antagonism and the plant's insect repellent properties, while also noting the critical lack of human clinical trials and emphasizing the need for further research on safety and efficacy. The review is comprehensive but primarily focuses on preclinical and ethnopharmacological data.
- https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/57810 – This source discusses the invasive nature of *Nandina domestica* and its ecological impacts. It highlights the plant's ability to outcompete native species and its spread in various ecosystems, contributing to biodiversity loss. The article also touches upon the plant's toxicity, particularly its berries, which can harm wildlife.
- https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/cabicompendium.35692 – This entry from the CABI Compendium provides a detailed overview of *Nandina domestica*, covering its taxonomy, distribution, uses, and environmental impacts. It confirms the plant's status as an ornamental and an invasive species in certain regions, reiterating the toxicity of its berries to animals and humans.
- https://jccwmg.org/wordpress/the-problems-with-nandina/ – This article from the Johnson County Community Wildflower & Native Plant Group discusses the problems associated with *Nandina domestica*, focusing on its invasive tendencies and the ecological harm it causes by displacing native plants. It also reiterates the toxicity of the berries to birds and other wildlife, which can then spread the seeds.
- https://mgnv.org/mg-in-the-garden/plant-this-not-that-replacing-nandina/ – This resource from Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia advises on replacing *Nandina* with native, non-invasive alternatives. It underscores the plant's invasive nature and its negative impact on local ecosystems, providing practical recommendations for gardeners to choose more environmentally friendly options.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39045046/ – This PubMed entry likely refers to the same systematic review by Qian et al. (2024) mentioned earlier. It summarizes the traditional uses and pharmacological activities of *Nandina domestica*, highlighting nantenine’s receptor antagonism and insect repellent properties. It notes the lack of clinical trials and emphasizes the need for further research on safety and efficacy. The review is comprehensive but mostly preclinical and ethnopharmacological in nature.