Digitalis Leaf — Safety & Interactions
Yang Di Huang Ye · Folium Digitalis
Contraindicated / High risk. Use only under practitioner supervision.
Contraindications
- Any unsupervised self-medication
- Known bradyarrhythmia, advanced heart block, or unstable ventricular rhythm without specialist oversight
- Hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, or significant renal impairment
- Pregnancy
Cautions
- All parts of the foxglove plant are toxic, and dried leaf remains dangerous despite processing.
- Modern therapeutic use belongs to standardized prescription glycosides, not crude herbal preparations.
- Visual disturbance, nausea, vomiting, confusion, bradycardia, and arrhythmia are classic toxicity warnings that require urgent medical attention.
Drug Interactions
| Drug Class / Substrate | Mechanism | Severity | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loop or thiazide diuretics and other potassium-depleting therapies - electrolyte loss increases digitalis toxicity risk. | |||
| Verapamil, amiodarone, quinidine, and other conduction-slowing or interacting cardiovascular drugs - may raise toxicity risk or worsen rhythm disturbances. | |||
| Other cardiac glycosides or unmonitored stimulant-laxative use - additive cardiotoxic or electrolyte-mediated danger. | |||
Pregnancy
Not recommended during pregnancy. Consult a qualified practitioner before any use.
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal medicines, especially if you take prescription medications.