WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants: Rauwolfia serpentina

This text provides information on the contraindications, warnings, precautions, dosage forms, and posology of the medicinal plant Rauwolfia serpentina.

Summary

Rauwolfia serpentina is a medicinal plant that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of conditions. However, there are some contraindications, warnings, and precautions associated with its use.

Questions

• What are the contraindications of Rauwolfia serpentina?
• What are the warnings for Rauwolfia serpentina?
• What are the precautions for Rauwolfia serpentina?
• What are the dosage forms of Rauwolfia serpentina?
• What is the posology of Rauwolfia serpentina?

Answers

• The contraindications of Rauwolfia serpentina are pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• The warnings for Rauwolfia serpentina are that it may potentiate the effects of barbiturates and reduce the effects of diazepam and clonazepam.
• The precautions for Rauwolfia serpentina are that it may interact with other drugs and that it should not be used in children.
• The dosage forms of Rauwolfia serpentina are the crude drug, extracts, and tinctures.
• The posology of Rauwolfia serpentina is 3–6 g of the dried powdered root or 250 mg twice daily.

For more information on Rauwolfia serpentina, please consult a healthcare professional.