Gardenia is used in herbal medicine with many purported benefits. Unfortunately it can also have adverse side effects.
Species: Gardenia jasminoides, Gardenia gummifera, Gardenia florida, other
The fruit is the most frequently used plant part, but other parts may be used as well.
A wide range of compounds have been isolated from Gardenia including:
(1) genepin
(2) geniposide
(3) gardenia blue (a food colorant derived from genepin)
(4) crocin
(5) terpenoids
(6) iridoid glycosides
Adverse effects:
(1) mesenteric phlebosclerosis
(2) blue-gray skin pigmentation (due to gardenia blue)
(3) allergic contact dermatitis
(4) bronze coloration of the colonic mucosa (due to genepin)
