Venus Fly Trap for Crohn's Disease

People with Crohn's Disease who choose to treat their symptoms with an herbal remedy derived from the Venus flytrap plant may be risking their health. Crohn's disease is a condition in which the body's immune system attacks its own cells causing swelling, scarring and obstruction of the digestive tract. According to the American Cancer Society, claims of the plant's effectiveness in treating disease symptoms are sketchy at best and usage may cause harmful side effects in Crohn's patients.

History and Use

• The herbal remedy is derived from the liquid extract from the pressed leaves of the Venus flytrap plant. It has been sold as a cure for tumors, immune disorders and colitis since it was first patented by a German scientist in 1995. According to the American Cancer Society, the active ingredient in the plant is plumbagin, a compound containing flavenoids, acids and enzymes and found in other plants.

Doseages and Forms

• A range of manufacturers produce similar products that are available in capsule or liquid form. The liquid extract may be injected into a vein or placed under the tongue. There is no accepted drug route or dosage, however. The society reports that one manufacturer suggests using the extract full strength while another recommends diluting the recommended 15 to 30 drops in warm water before injection or swallowing. Still another company advises dissolving a half teaspoon under the tongue to avoid destruction of the extract by stomach enzymes.

Research Findings

• Research on plumbagin's effectiveness in treating tumors has been sketchy at best, according to the society. Although one animal study conducted in India found a positive degree of tumor shrinkage when the extract was combined with radiation therapy, results were inconclusive. A lab study done in Japan, reported plumbagin was somewhat effective against intestinal tumors that can sometimes occur in Crohn's disease. The society acknowledges such reports may be promising, but it asserts that studies on humans are needed.

Problems and Risks

• Although herbal remedies derived from Venus flytrap pose no reported problems when taken orally, injectible forms have been reported to cause nausea, vomiting, skin irritation and collapse of the circulatory system. Harmful interactions result when taken with certain medications such as disulfiram and metronidazole. Moreover, Venus flytrap extracts contain 25 percent to 30 percent alcohol, a substance that can trigger symptoms in Crohn's patients. Toxic effects of plumbagin include diarrhea and liver damage, and it can cause spontaneous abortion, according to the society.

Considerations

• The Mayo Clinic suggests patients with Crohn's disease exercise caution before using Venus flytrap extract or other herbal remedies to treat disease symptoms. These supplements are not regulated by the Federal Food and Drug Administration and cannot be prescribed by a physician. Experts there recommend managing symptoms with immunosuppressant drugs to control inflammation, avoiding milk, alcohol and spicy foods, and practicing relaxation techniques to reduce stress.