Germander

Information about Germander

Germander refers to about 250 species of plants in the mint family (genus: Teucrium) used for centuries in herbal teas and more recently marketed as a germander extract as an aid for weight control and management of diabetes and hyperlipidemia. 

Liver safety of Germander

Germander extracts have been linked to multiple instances of clinically apparent liver injury which can be severe and lead to fatality.

Mechanism of action of Germander

Germander is derived from aerial parts of a perennial aromatic plant of the mint family (Teucrium Lamiaceae) which has been used in Europe for centuries to treat inflammatory and digestive disorders.  Germander is also widely used in gardening for its attractive flowers and uniform shape.  Only some species have been used as herbal medications.  Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys) was purported to be beneficial in inflammatory conditions including fever, arthritis, gout and digestive complaints.  Extracts of germander were developed and marketed in capsules of 600 mg in Europe as a weight loss and cholesterol lowering agent in the late 1980s.  However, multiple reports of hepatotoxicity from germander (including from both pill form as well as in tea) led to its ban as an herbal medication in many countries.  Nevertheless, raw germander remains available in some countries and other Teucrium L. species have been used as herbal medications and teas and have been linked to cases of liver injury.

Herbal and dietary supplements

• Aloe Vera, Ashwagandha, Astragalus, Bilberry, Black Cohosh, Butterbur, Cat's Claw, Cascara, Chaparral, Comfrey, Crofelemer, Echinacea, Ephedra, Fenugreek, Flavocoxid, Garcinia cambogia, Germander, Ginkgo, Ginseng, Greater Celandine, Green Tea, Hoodia, Hops, Horse Chestnut, Hyssop, Kava Kava, Kratom, Lavender, Maca, Margosa Oil, Melatonin, Milk Thistle, Noni, Passionflower, Pennyroyal Oil, Red Yeast Rice, Resveratrol, Saw Palmetto, Senna, Skullcap, Spirulina, St. John's Wort, Turmeric, Usnic Acid, Valerian, Yohimbine

Chinese and Other Asian Herbal Medicines

• Ba Jiao Lian, Bol Gol Zhee, Chi R Yun, Jin Bu Huan, Ma Huang, Sho Saiko To and Dai Saiko To, Shou Wu Pian

Multi-Ingredient Nutritional Supplements

• Herbalife, Hydroxycut, Move Free, OxyELITE Pro, SLIMQUICK

See also Nutritional supplements

• Dailymed label info on Germander
• FDA Germander

Germander Resources
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