Canaigre
Botanical Description & Habitat
Rumex hymenocephalis
Family
Polygonaceae
Common Names
Canaigre (Cana Agria or sour cane)
Ganagra
Tanner's Dock
Wild Rhubarb
Habitat
Dry, barren, sandy soil in southwestern United States and in Mexico.
Medicinal Parts
Perhaps none. Maybe the root.
Historical Properties & Uses
The lowly canaigre played a role in one of the most notorious scams of recent years. It was pawned off as "wild American ginseng," with efforts being made to equate its value with one of the most lofty and expensive herbs around. It didn't take long for the herb industry to get wise, and efforts were successfully made to squelch the sale and promotion of canaigre as a type of ginseng.
As for the real value of canaigre, it is a powerful astringent, cathartic and tanning medium.
Method of Action
The Pharmacology of Canaigre Depends on Tannins
Canaigre is one of the richest sources of tannin (23%) in the plant kingdom. It also contains large amounts of anthraquinones (cathartic agents). Canaigre is closely related to rumex crispus (yellow dock) but lacks the medicinal activity of the plant.
Canaigre does contain small quantities of two chemicals with proven anti-cancer action: leucodelphinidin and lucopelargonidin.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Known Interactions
Canaigre, due to its cathartic activity, may potentiate anticoagulant therapy by reducing absorption of vitamin K from the gut. It may also inhibit absorption of dextrose from the intestines.
This cathartic may increase intestinal transit time of digitalis glycosides, inhibit their absorption and cardiac action. But cathartic-induced hypokalmia increases toxicity and potency of absorbed digitalis.
Cathartic-induced hypokalemia potentiates muscle relaxants.
In addition, the cathartic action of Canaigre tend to hasten the passage of all oral medications through the gut, thereby inhibiting their action.
In sub-laxative and sub-emetic doses Canaigre should have no drug interactions. At higher doses, interactions similar to those involving diuretics and cathartics may occur.
Possible Interactions
The topical application of the astringent herb canaigre, in conjunction with the acne product tretinoin (retinoic acid, vitamin A acid) may adversely affect the skin.
The tannin in this herb may potentiate the antibiotic activity of echinacea. The tannin in a tea made from Canaigre may be inactivated by the addition of milk or cream.
Laxative-induced diarrhea may result in decreased absorption of isoniazid the same is true with sulfisoxazole, but it appears to be a clinically unimportant interaction effect.
Comments
Laxative induced increased speed of intestinal emptying may result in decreased absorption of vitamin K and/or anticoagulants.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
Because of the extraordinarily high content of tannin, continued use of Caneigre could lead to cancer.
Preparation & Administration
Use of Caneigre is not recommended.
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
Duke, J.A. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, Florida, 1985.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Tyler, V. The New Honest Herbal, Stickley, Philadelphia, 1987.
Van Os, F.H. Les plantes a caractere cytostatique. Farmaco. Ediziion Scientifica, 25(6), 455-483, 1970.
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