Uzarae radix

Root of the Uzara plant. Uzarae radix, also known as Uzara root, is a drug that is used in herbal medicines for the treatment of non-specific and acute diarrheal diseases. Uzara originates from South Africa.

Commission e-monograph: acute, non-specific diarrheal diseases, diarrhea with vomiting.

ESCOP: not processed

HMPC: not processed

Empirical medicine: Native South African: stomach and intestinal complaints, colic, dysentery, headaches, fever and malaria, also as an emetic. External: Wound treatment.

Uzara root contains flavonoids, glycosides such as uzarin and xysmalorin, and tanning agents.

Uzara root has spasmolytic and motility inhibiting effects, stimulation of sympathetic fibers, secretion inhibiting, antiemetic.... A digitalis-like effect is only slightly pronounced.

Uzara root is used for non-specific and acute diarrheal diseases. As the Uzara root contains tannins as well as cardiac glycosides, the specified dosages must be strictly adhered to.

Use until the symptoms improve, no longer than 7 days.

Note: appropriate oral rehydration, especially for children

rarely allergic reactions, also nausea, vomiting.

Simultaneous administration of cardiac glycosides, hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, children under 6 years of age, pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Cardiac glycosides must not be taken at the same time, nor should quinidine, saluretics and preparations containing cortisone, as these increase the effect of the cardiac glycosides.

^Uzara® tablets, solution or juice

Permitted for children from 2 years of age. But only to be used in finished preparations!

Background: Heinrich Adolf Hopf (1887-1929) learned about the healing properties of uzara root on one of his trips to South Africa - his intestinal illness healed after chewing small pieces of root, which he received from a medicine man. Hopf took the plant with him to Germany, where the University of Marburg identified uzarin as the main active ingredient. Uzara root preparations have been available in Germany since 1911.

1. Wenigmann M.(2017) Phytotherapie Arzneidrogen Phytopharmaka Anwendung. Elsevier Munich: 5.116 Uzara root (Uzarae radix) p 207-208
2. https://www.awl.ch/heilpflanzen/xysmalobium-undulatum/uzara.htm
3. Blaschek W (2015) Wichtl tea drugs and phytopharmaceuticals. A handbook for practice. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Munich. S 677-678