This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
How does Niyog Niyogan work to kill intestinal worms?
Niyog Niyogan (Quisqualis indica) contains quisqualic acid, which acts as an anthelmintic by paralyzing intestinal parasites. The active compound targets the nervous system of roundworms, causing them to lose their grip on the intestinal wall so they can be expelled through bowel movements. Traditional use and preliminary studies support this mechanism, though clinical evidence remains limited (Level C). The herb has been used in Filipino traditional medicine for centuries and is officially endorsed by the Philippine Department of Health for treating ascariasis.
What is the correct dosage of Niyog Niyogan seeds for adults and children?
The traditional dosage for Niyog Niyogan seeds is age-based: children aged 6-9 years should take 4 seeds, while adults can take up to 10 seeds. The seeds should be chewed thoroughly before swallowing. This dosing is based on traditional use and Philippine Department of Health guidelines rather than clinical trials (Level C evidence). Taking more than the recommended amount can cause serious side effects including hiccups, nausea, and potentially seizures. Always follow recommended dosages and consult a healthcare provider for children under 6 years old.
Is Niyog Niyogan safe to take during pregnancy?
Niyog Niyogan is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided. The herb's anthelmintic compounds, including quisqualic acid and various alkaloids, may pose risks to fetal development. Traditional contraindications explicitly warn against use by pregnant women. Additionally, the potential for adverse effects like seizures from overdose creates additional safety concerns. Women who are breastfeeding should also avoid this herb due to insufficient safety data. Consult a healthcare provider for alternative treatments for intestinal parasites during pregnancy.
Does Niyog Niyogan interact with any medications?
There is limited research on drug interactions involving Niyog Niyogan. Due to its anthelmintic properties, it may potentially interact with other antiparasitic medications, possibly enhancing effects or increasing side effects. Patients taking medications for seizures should exercise caution, as overdose of Niyog Niyogan has been associated with convulsions. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining this herb with prescription medications. The lack of comprehensive interaction studies (Level C evidence) warrants caution in concurrent use.
What are the side effects of taking Niyog Niyogan?
Common side effects of Niyog Niyogan include hiccups and mild nausea. These effects are typically temporary and resolve on their own. However, taking more than the recommended dosage can lead to serious adverse effects including severe hiccups, persistent nausea, and potentially seizures. The risk of seizures makes proper dosing critical, especially in children. If you experience severe symptoms after taking Niyog Niyogan, seek medical attention immediately. These safety concerns are based on traditional knowledge and case reports (Level C evidence).
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Quisqualis indica, also known as Chinese honeysuckle or Rangoon creeper, is a traditional medicinal plant used for gastrointestinal issues and lower urinary tract symptoms [PMID:36277358, PMID:36629062].
Background
Quisqualis indica L. (Combretaceae family) is a tropical Asian climber used in Traditional Chinese Medicine [PMID:36277358, PMID:38191129].
Traditional uses
Traditional uses include treating gastrointestinal discomfort such as stomach pain, constipation, and digestive problems [PMID:36277358, PMID:32793460, PMID:28943529]. It is also used in Chinese Medicine for peptic ulcers, diabetes, inflammation, colds with fever, headaches, and sore throats [PMID:39554608], and is noted for anthelminthic effects and use in treating cancer-related syndromes [PMID:25701753].
Active compounds
Identified compounds include the alkaloid trigonelline [PMID:40120340, PMID:15719678], quinoline-4-carbonitrile (QCN) [PMID:31264476], and 25-O-acetyl-23,24-dihydro-cucurbitacin F [PMID:25701753, PMID:18202018]. The plant also contains phenols, flavonoids [PMID:30184413], anthocyanins (specifically cyanidin 3-O-glucoside) [PMID:34583599], and various volatile components including fatty acids, aldehydes, and alcohols [PMID:38191129].
Mechanism of action
In the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a standardized seed extract (HU-033) acts as an antagonist to α1A- and α1D-adrenergic receptors and inhibits the protein expression of androgen and estrogen receptor alpha [PMID:31915646]. It also reduces the expression of androgen receptor (AR) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) [PMID:28943529]. Additionally, floral extracts exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities [PMID:31264476].
Clinical evidence
Evidence BLower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS)
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 135 men, both low-dose (1,000 mg) and high-dose (2,000 mg) Quisqualis indica significantly improved total International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) at 6 and 12 weeks compared to placebo [PMID:36629062].
Evidence DBenign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
In rat models, Quisqualis indica extract ameliorated low urinary tract symptoms and reduced prostate weight, serum testosterone, and DHT concentration [PMID:32793460, PMID:28943529].
Evidence DExperimental Esophagitis
Ethanolic flower extract was investigated for its role against esophagitis in albino Wistar rats via free radical scavenging [PMID:30184413].
Safety & adverse effects
A 13-week repeated oral dose toxicity study in rats (up to 2000 mg/kg/day) showed no treatment-related adverse clinical signs, significant decrement in body weight, or histopathological findings [PMID:36277358]. However, a case of photoallergic contact dermatitis caused by Quisqualis indica has been reported [PMID:27040881].
Drug interactions
In vitro studies showed that Quisqualis indica significantly enhanced the activity of the antibiotic novobiocin against Acinetobacter baumannii [PMID:22536985].
Dosage & administration
In a clinical trial for LUTS, doses used were 1,000 mg and 2,000 mg [PMID:36629062]. No PubMed data available. Consult a healthcare provider.
Evidence summary
Evidence consists of one clinical RCT for LUTS (Level B), several animal and in vitro studies for BPH and esophagitis (Level D), and toxicological assessments in rats (Level D).
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 39554608 (2024) — A comprehensive review on Chinese honeysuckle (Qusqualis indica): A Traditional Chinese plant. · Toxicology reports
2.PMID: 36277358 (2022) — Repeated oral dose toxicity and genotoxicity of a standardized Quisqualis indica extract. · Toxicological research
4.PMID: 38191129 (2024) — Origin differentiation based on volatile constituents of genuine medicinal materials Quisqualis indica L. via HS-GC-MS, response surface methodology, and chemometrics. · Phytochemical analysis : PCA
5.PMID: 36629062 (2023) — Quisqualis indica extract for men with lower urinary tract symptoms: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
6.PMID: 31264476 (2021) — A quinoline alkaloid rich Quisqualis indica floral extract enhances the bioactivity. · Natural product research
7.PMID: 30184413 (2017) — Effect of ethanolic extract of Quisqualis indica L. flower on experimental esophagitis in albino Wistar rats. · Indian journal of experimental biology
9.PMID: 30159538 (2018) — Light induces petal color change in Quisqualis indica (Combretaceae). · Plant diversity
10.PMID: 27491031 (2016) — One-pot biogenic fabrication of silver nanocrystals using Quisqualis indica: Effectiveness on malaria and Zika virus mosquito vectors, and impact on non-target aquatic organisms. · Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology
11.PMID: 40120340 (2025) — Combination of ultrasound and supercritical carbon dioxide extraction for trigonelline production from Quisqualis indica. · Ultrasonics sonochemistry
12.PMID: 29156527 (2018) — Synthesis and characterization of copper nanoparticles stabilized with Quisqualis indica extract: Evaluation of its cytotoxicity and apoptosis in B16F10 melanoma cells. · Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
13.PMID: 27072926 (2016) — Pollinator responses to floral colour change, nectar, and scent promote reproductive fitness in Quisqualis indica (Combretaceae). · Scientific reports
15.PMID: 15719678 (2004) — [IE-HPLC analysis of trigonelline in Fructus Quisqualis]. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
16.PMID: 26766870 (2016) — Enhanced antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles-Lonicera Japonica Thunb combo. · IET nanobiotechnology
17.PMID: 30964041 (2019) — Sustainable green synthesis of silver nanoparticles by using Rangoon creeper leaves extract and their spectral analysis and anti-bacterial studies. · IET nanobiotechnology
18.PMID: 34583599 (2023) — Temporal accumulation of pigments during colour transformation from white to red in Combretum indicum (L.) DeFilipps (syn. Quisqualis indica L.) flowers. · Natural product research
19.PMID: 30772796 (2019) — Antioxidant activity of an ethnobotanically important plant Quisqualis indica Linn. · Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
20.PMID: 31915646 (2019) — Standardized Seed Extract of Quisqualis indica (HU-033) Attenuates Testosterone Propionate-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia via α1-Adrenergic Receptors and Androgen/Estrogen Signaling. · Preventive nutrition and food science
21.PMID: 13051885 (1953) — [Study of the siliceous hairs of Quisqualis indica]. · Comptes rendus hebdomadaires des seances de l'Academie des sciences
22.PMID: 41330099 (2025) — Microbial-viral synergy in Eisenia fetida gut supports earthworm survival, detoxification, and functional resilience. · The Science of the total environment
23.PMID: 27959441 (2017) — Protective effects of Cambodian medicinal plants on tert‑butyl hydroperoxide‑induced hepatotoxicity via Nrf2‑mediated heme oxygenase‑1. · Molecular medicine reports
24.PMID: 22536985 (2012) — Thai ethnomedicinal plants as resistant modifying agents for combating Acinetobacter baumannii infections. · BMC complementary and alternative medicine
25.PMID: 25701753 (2015) — 25-O-acetyl-23,24-dihydro-cucurbitacin F induces cell cycle G2/M arrest and apoptosis in human soft tissue sarcoma cells. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
26.PMID: 32807192 (2020) — An ethnoveterinary study on medicinal plants used by the Buyi people in Southwest Guizhou, China. · Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine
27.PMID: 11267752 (2001) — Screening of the anticoccidial effects of herb extracts against Eimeria tenella. · Veterinary parasitology
28.PMID: 18202018 (2008) — Phytochemistry and pharmacogenomics of natural products derived from traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese materia medica with activity against tumor cells. · Molecular cancer therapeutics
29.PMID: 26382959 (2016) — Assessment of Air Pollution Tolerance Index of some plants to develop vertical gardens near street canyons of a polluted tropical city. · Ecotoxicology and environmental safety
30.PMID: 15546639 (2005) — Dust accumulation and leaf pigment content in vegetation near the national highway at Sambalpur, Orissa, India. · Ecotoxicology and environmental safety