Arabinogalactan is a starch-like chemical that is found in many plants. It is found in highest concentrations in larch trees. Most of the larch arabinogalactan found in stores is produced from western larch or eastern larch trees. But larch arabinogalactan can also be produced by other larch tree species. Larch arabinogalactan is sometimes used for medicine.
Larch arabinogalactan is used for common cold, flu (influenza), ear infection (otitis media), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support its use.
In foods, larch arabinogalactan is used as a stabilizer, binder, and sweetener.
Is It Effective?
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
- Common cold. Early research shows that taking 4.5 grams of a specific larch arabinogalactan extract daily for 12 weeks does not lower the overall number of colds or reduce cold symptoms in people who frequently suffer from cold symptoms. But more people taking larch arabinogalactan seem to avoid getting the cold compared to people taking a placebo pill.
- High cholesterol. Early research shows that taking larch arabinogalactan does not lower total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol, other blood fats called triglycerides, body weight, blood pressure, or sugar levels in healthy people. It is not yet known whether larch arabinogalactan improves these outcomes in people with high cholesterol.
- Ear infection (otitis media).
- Flu (influenza).
- HIV/AIDS.
- Inflammation.
- Liver cancer.
- Liver disease.
- Pneumonia.
- Tetanus.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of larch arabinogalactan for these uses.
Is it Safe?
Larch arabinogalactan is a fiber that ferments in the intestine. It might increase intestinal bacteria, such as lactobacillus, and have other effects that could be beneficial to digestive tract health. There is also information that suggests larch arabinogalactan might boost the immune system and help prevent cancer cells in the liver from growing.
When taken by mouth: Larch arabinogalactan is LIKELY SAFE when eaten in food amounts. It's POSSIBLY SAFE when taken in higher doses of 1.5-8.4 grams daily for less than 6 months. It can cause side effects such as bloating and intestinal gas (flatulence). There isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use for longer than 6 months or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if larch arabinogalactan is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
"Auto-immune diseases" such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Larch arabinogalactan might cause the immune system to become more active, and this could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it's best to avoid using larch arabinogalactan.
Organ transplant recipients: Larch arabinogalactan might increase the risk of organ transplant rejection. If you have received an organ transplant, don't use larch arabinogalactan until more is known.
Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Larch arabinogalactan seems to increase the immune system. By increasing the Larch arabinogalactan seems to increase activity of the immune system. By increasing the immune system, larch arabinogalactan might decrease the effectiveness of medications that decrease the immune system.
Some medications that decrease immune system activity include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), corticosteroids (glucocorticoids), and others.
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
There are no known interactions with foods.
The appropriate dose of larch arabinogalactan depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for larch arabinogalactan. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
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