Why should individuals taking immunosuppressants be wary of Dendrobium use?
It could theoretically interfere with drugs designed to suppress the immune system
Individuals managing autoimmune conditions often rely on immunosuppressant drugs to manage chronic inflammation and prevent the body from attacking its own tissues. Botanicals, including those like Dendrobium which are traditionally viewed as balancing the body's internal environment, often possess inherent properties that can modulate immune or inflammatory pathways. If Dendrobium possesses such modulatory effects, its introduction into the system while taking prescription immunosuppressants creates a theoretical risk of interfering with the medication's intended mechanism of action. This interference could either dampen the suppressive effect of the drug, potentially leading to a flare-up of the underlying condition, or perhaps over-suppress the system, leading to secondary complications.
