K
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Kombe) — Not covered (AHP).“Health
hazards not known with proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2). Side effects may include cardiac
arrhythmia, headache, ophthalmia (disturbance of color vision), queasiness, stupor, and vomiting.
May enhance effects and side effects with calcium salts, glucocorticoids, laxatives, quinidine, and
saluretics (PH2). Powdered seeds LDlo 25 mg/kg ivn dog (HH2); g-strophanthidin LDlo 0.33–0.44
mg/kg ivn dog (HH2).KONJAC (Amorphophallus konjac K. Koch) ++Synonyms: A. rivieri Durieu, A. rivieri var. konjac (K. Koch) Engl.
Activities (Konjac) — Antitumor (1; APA); Hypocholesterolemic (1; APA); Hypoglycemic (1;
APA).
Indications (Konjac) — Cancer, lung (1; APA); Constipation (1; APA); Diabetes (1; APA);
Enterosis (1; APA); Gas (1; APA); High Cholesterol (1; APA); Obesity (1; APA); Tumor (1;
APA).
Dosages (Konjac) — 2 (500 mg) tablets glucomannan 1 hour before meals (APA).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Konjac) — Not covered (AHP; KOM;
PHR). May cause diarrhea. Severe esophageal obstructions reported for glucomannan tablets
(always take with plenty of water) (APA). “Australian health authorities have banned tablets
containing glucomannan” (APA). May alter insulin requirements (APA). Glucomannan, the
polysaccharide extracted from the tubers of Amorphophallus konjac, is indigestible in the human
GI tract, lacking enzymes to break it down. Hence, it passes through the body, mostly undigested.
In addition, the glucomannan swells in the gut, or wherever it contacts water, sometimes absorbing
60 times its weight in water. Hence, it is often recommended, perhaps too enthusiastically, for
constipation, high cholesterol, and obesity. According to APA, in one study of 20 obese patients,
those who took 2 capsules of 500 mg of purified glucomannan, 60 minutes before meals, lost
an average 5.5 pounds after 8 weeks, cf. 1.5 pounds for placebo patients. In another study, total
cholesterol fell some 10% in 63 men taking 3900 mg glucomannan for 4 weeks, in a double-
blind crossover trial.KOREAN MINT (Agastache rugosa (Fisch. & C. A. Mey.) Kuntze) ++Synonym: Lophanthus rugosus Fisch. & C. A. Mey.
Activities (Korean Mint) — Analgesic (f; DAA); Antiemetic (1; AKT); Antiatherogenic (1;
X11334881); Antibacterial (1; AKT); Antiintegrase (1; X10549582); Antipyretic (f; DAA);
Antiviral (1; ABS; X10071964; X10549582); Carminative (f; DAA); Decongestant (f; DAA);
Fungicide (1; AKT); Mucolytic (1; AKT); Protease-Inhibitor (1; X10071964); Stomachic (f;
DAA).
Indications (Korean Mint) — Angina (f; DAA); Atherosclerosis (1; X11334881); Bacteria (1;
AKT); Chemotherapy (f; AKT); Cold (f; DAA); Congestion (f; DAA); Diarrhea (f; DAA); Dys-
pepsia (f; DAA; AKT) Enterosis (f; DAA); Fever (f; DAA); Fungus (1; AKT); Gas (f; DAA);
Gastrosis (f; DAA); Headache (f; DAA); HIV (1; ABS; X10071964); Hyperemesis (1; AKT);
Infection (1; AKT); Mycosis (1; AKT); Nausea (1; AKT; DAA); Pain (f; DAA); Splenosis (f; DAA);
Thirst (f; DAA); Virus (1; ABS; X10071964; X10549582); Vomiting (1; AKT).
Dosages (Korean Mint) — 4.5–9 g herb or 1–3 g herb concentrate (AKT).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Korean Mint) — Class 1 (AHP).