Aloe Vera

(Aloe capensis or

 barbadensis)

Burns, cold sores, dry skin, inflammation, pain, and itching

Do not confuse

With aloe juice.

Which is a laxative

Oral use; GI upset, (nausea and vomiting)

Hypoglycemia

Oral use: Glyburide,  diuretics,  & Digoxin.

Topically: Hydrocortisone

Bitter Melon

(Momordica

charantia)

Cancer prevention, fever, diabetes, HIV, psoriasis, infec-tions & menstrual disorder.

Pregnant women

(may induce bleeding , contractions, or abortion)

Hypoglycemia

Insulin & hypoglycemic drugs

Black Cohosh

(Cimicifuga

rademosa)

Cough, dysmenorrheal, PMS, arthritis, &

sedation.

Do not confuse with blue cohosh.

GI upset

Anticoagulants & antiplatelets

Depakote

Boswellia

(Boswellia Serrate)

Arthritis, asthma,

colitis, inflammation,& menstrual cramps

People with compromised immune system

GI upset

Skin rash

None known

Butchers Broom

(Ruscus aculeatus)

Circulatory disorders, leg cramps, inflammation, hemorrhoids,

Varicose veins

None known

Diarrhea

Anticoagulants,

Antiplatelet drugs, and MAO-I  antidepressants

Capsaicin

(Cappsicum sp.)

cayenne

Circulatory disorders, colic, H/A, motion sickness, muscle pain,  &arthritis,

Avoid contact with eyes or broken skin

GI irritation, sweating, flushing, lacrimation, & rhinorrhea

ACE Inhihibators,

Sedatives, Theophylline, MAO-I antidepressants, & Antihypertensives

Cat’s Claw

(Uncaria

tomentosa)

Birth control, Cancer treatment,

GI disorders, inflammation, HIV & AIDS

Systemic lupus erythematosus

Diarrhea & lower blood pressure.

Anti-hypertensives, anticoagulants,  &

Antiplatelets,

Chamomille

(Matricaria recutita L.)

Colic, GI disorders, spasms. infections, intestinal gas, inflammations, &

skin ulcers

People allergic to Ragweed/

Hypersensitivity

Reaction in people allergic to Ragweed.

Anticoagulants,

Antiplatelets, & sedatives

Comfrey

(Symphytum

officinale)

Bronchitis, fractures, inflammation, Peptic ulcers, arthritis, & wound healing

FDA advised supplement manufactures to remove comfrey from the market

Liver disease

None known

Devils Claw

(Harpagophytum

procumbens)

Arteriosclerosis

arthritis, inflammation, muscle pain, & osteoarthritis

None known

Diarrhea, possible slow pulse rate

Antacids/H2 Antagonist, Beta-blockers , Digoxin. & anticoagulants

Dong Quai

(Angelica sinensis)

Dysmenorrheal, PMS. Spasms, menopausal symptoms, & health maintenance

Pregnant or breast-feeding women

Photosensitivity

Anticoagulants

Ephedra

(Ephedra sinica)

Mahuang

Asthma, bronchitis, common cold, cough, infections,

Strength and stamina, & weight loss

Anxiety, hypertension, heart disease, glaucoma, prostrate enlargement, & hyperthyroidism.

Hypertension, palpitations, heart attack, stroke, seizures, insomnia, psychosis, & death.

Aspirin, Antianxiety medications, sedatives, Beta-adrenergic agonists, CNS stimulants, MAO-I antidepressants, Theophylline, & Digoxin

Echinacea

(Echinacea purura)

Common cold, infections,

immunostimula-tion, & wound healing

Autoimmune disorders (MS, SLE, arthritis, TB, HIV, & AIDS

Fever, H/A, dizziness, nausea, & constipation

CYP3A4 (Immuno-suppressant), Xanax, calcium channel blockers,

Fennugreek

(Trigonella foenum-graecum)

Alopecia, induce childbirth, arthritis, diabetes, infections, & inflammation.

Pregnant women

(due to inducing childbirth)

Flatulance, diarrhea, bleeding, & hypoglycemia

Anticoagulant

Anti diabetic agents & insulin, MAO-I antidepressant

Feverfew

(Tanacetum parthenium)

Arthritis, prevent Migraine H/A, & Psoriasis

Allergies to ragweed, chrysanthemums, or marigold

Minor GI distress

Anticoagulants / Antiplatelets

Garlic

(Allium sativum)

Decrease cholesterol, circulatory disorders, heart disease, hypertension, cancer prevention, & skin infections

*** Discontinue garlic 7 days prior to surgery

People with bleeding disorders

H/A, fatigue potential for bleeding, diarrhea, sweating, & hypoglycemia

Insulin, & hypoglycemic drugs, anticoagulant, antiplatelets, Cylclosprine, and Saquinavir

Ginger

(Zingiber officinale)

Motion sickness, colic, nausea, vomiting, arthritis, & spasm

None known

Heartburn & dermatitis

Anticoagulants,  antiplatelets, antihypertensives, hypoglycemics, & insulin

Ginko

(Ginkgo biloba)

Anxiety, asthma, bronchitis, heart disease, hearing loss, memory loss,

Stress, & tinnitus.

***Discontinue 36hrs. prior to surgery.

H/A, dizziness, GI upset, contact dermatitis, & palpitations

Anticoagulants, antiplatelets, antipsychotics, Trazodone,  &MAO-I antidepressants

Ginseng

(American, Siberian or Asian)

Angina, diabetes, health maintenance, HIV & AIDS, improve clotting, strength & stamina

People with Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, coronary thrombosis

Dry mouth, tachycardia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, & insomnia.

Anticoagulants, insulin, and MAO-I antidepressants,

Goldenseal

(Hydrastis Canadensis)

Anorexia, diuretic, laxative, cirrhosis, colitis, diabetes, fever, & infections

Pregnant or nursing women, hypertension, or cardiovascular disorders.

GI distress, hallucinations, & delirium

Antihypertensives, anticoagulants, antiplatelets, barbiturates, & vitamin B complex.

Gotu Kola

(Centella asiatica)

Burns, cancer treatment, GI disorders, memory loss, psoriasis, scars, sedation, & varicose veins.

Dermatitis & itching, photosensitivity, & abortion

Contact dermatitis, itching, H/A, & photosensitivity

Hypoglycemics, Insulin, & antihypertensives

Green Tea

(Camellia sinensis)

Cancer treatment & prevention, cardiovascular disorder , GI disorders & weight loss

Pregnant or nursing women and infants

Nausea, GI upset, insomnia, & irritability

Neuroleptics,

anticoagulants, antiplateletes, Atropine, Codeine, hypoglycemics & iron supplements

Guarana

(Paullinia cupana)

Weight loss,

Fatigue,

CNS stimulation to enhance athletic performance

People with hypertension, heart or valve disorders, anxiety,

Schizophrenia. or Bipolar Disorder due to caffeine content in Guarana.

GI distress,

Rapid pulse & irregular heart beat,

Increased urination, insomnia, irritability

MAO-I anti-depressant, Adenosine, Clozapine, Benzodiazepines, Lithium, Aspirin, birth control pills, ephedrine, antifungal drugs, Tylenol, Cimetidine, Verapamil, Mexiletine, & Quinolone antibiotics.

Guggul

(Commiphora mukul)

Acne,

Arthritis, reduces triglycerides & cholesterol, weight loss, urinary tract disorders

Hperthyroidism

H/A, mild nausea,

Anticoagulants,  antiplatelets, & thyroid supplements.

Hawthorn

(Crataegus monogyna)

Angina,

Hypertension ,

Congestive heart failure, &

Indigestion

Pregnant or nursing women

Nausea, fatigue, sedation, & sweating.

Digoxin and antiarrhythmics,

CNS depressants, & hypertensives.

Horse Chestnut

(Aesulus hippocastanum)

Varicose veins, circulatory disorders, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, & phlebitis.

***FDA has classified Horse Chestnut as an unsafe herb

Renal or Liver Insufficiency

GI distress, Muscle twitching, and paralysis.

Anticoagulants, antiplatelets

Kava

(Piper Methysticum)

Anxiety, stress, restlessness,  & Insomnia,

Wound healing, colds,  & H/A

***May cause severe Liver disease.

May impair ability to operate heavy machinery

***Discontinue before surgery

H/A, impaired reflexes or judgment, visual disturbances, sedation, restless-ness,  & tremors.

Levadopa, Benzodiazepines, alcohol, barbiturates,  & sedatives.

Licorice

(Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Respiratory illness,

GI disorders, &

Inflammation

People with liver or renal disease & pregnant or nursing women

Hypertension, muscle pain, irregular heart beat,  & lethargy

Anticoagulants, diuretics, ASA, Spironolactone, Corticosteroids,

insulin, & hormone therapy.

Lobelia

(Lobelia inflata)

Smoking cessation, Asthma, Bronchitis,

Depression, &

Inflammation

People with heart disease or GI disorders,

Pregnant or nursing women

GI distress, sweating, cough, dizziness, slow heart rate, hyer-

tension, rapid breathing, & seizures

Nicotine containing products

Maitake

(Grifola frondosa)

Cancer prevention, diabetes, high cholesterol, weight loss, & immunostimula-tion

None known

None known

Hypoglycemic agents

Mate or

 Yerba Mate

(Llex paraguariensis)

Weight loss, CNS stimulant, depression, fatigue, H/A, promote urination  & pain

People with hypertension, heart problems, anxiety, pregnant or nursing women.

Insomnia, anxiety,  H/A, restlessness,  agitation,  nausea, ,tremors, & palpitations.

ASA, Tylenol, sedatives, beta-adrenergic agonists, Clozapine, MAO-I
antidepressants, Theophylline,  & diuretics.

Milk Thistle

(Silybum marianum)

Alcoholism

Cancer prevention

Cirrhosis & other liver disease

People allergic to ragweed

Diarrhea, uterine and menstrual stimulation

Cytochrome P –450 3A4, antifungal drugs, and erythromyocin

Myrrh

(Commihora milmol)

Asthma & cough

GI distress

Inflammation

Pregnant women

(may cause abortion)

May affect heart rate

Hypoglycemic agents

Nettle

(Urtica dioica)

Benign prostrate hypertrophy,

Allergies, arthritis, spasms inflammation,

 Urinary tract disorders

Mild GI distress

GI distress, skin irritation or rash, & sweating.

Diuretics & Diclofenac

Noni

(Morinda citriffolia)

Cancer treatment

Diabetes, pain, hypertension, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, menstrual cramps and immuno -stimulation.

Diabetics o & people with renal failure due to potassium content

Constipation

None known

Pau D ‘Arco

(Tabebulia

impetiginosa)

Cancer prevention,

Candida yeast infections,

Parasititc infections, & respiratoty infections

***Quinone compounds in Pau D ‘Arco may have a toxic effect

People with bleeding disorders

GI distress, dizziness, anemia, bleeding and discoloration of the urine

Anticoagulants & antiplatelets

Quercetin

(3,3’,4’,5,7-pentapentahydroxyflavone)

Arthrosclerosis, heart disease.

Inflammation, &

Hay fever

People with renal diseases

None known

Papain, Bromelain, and Quinolone antibiotics

Red Clover

(Trifolium pratense)

Respiratory congestion,

Spasms, &

Menopausal symptoms

People with coagulation disorders or estrogen sensitive conditions

Skin rash

Anticoagulants & antiplatelets

Reishi Mushrooms

(Gandoerma lucidum)

Immunostimula-tion, fatigue,

Viral infections,

Reduce cholesterol,

Inflammation

Strength & stamina

None known

GI distress, itchiness, dry throat & nose.

Anticoagulants, antiplatelets, & antihypertensives

Rhuburb

(Rheum palmatum)

GI distress,

Hypertension,

Immuno –suppression

Inflammation

Constipation

People with arthritis, kidney, or liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease

Abdominal cramps, GI distress,  & diarrhea resulting in renal or liver damage.

Diuretics

Digoxin

Sassafras

(Sassafras albidum)

Inflammation, arthritis, sprains, urinary tract disorders &

syphilis

*** Has caused liver cancer in animals

People with urinary conditions

Hot flashes and diaphoresis

Barbiturates & other sedatives

Saw Palmetto

(serenoa repens)

Benign prostratic hypertrophy

Inflammation

Prostrate cancer

Promote urination

*** Discontinue prior to surgery due to possibility of prolonged bleeding.

Intraoperative bleeding,  &

GI distress

Anticoagulants, 

Hormone therapy, & birth control pills

Schisandra

(schisandra chinensis)

Asthma, cough,

GI distress. PMS,

Influenza, sweating, strength & stamina, & Liver disease

None known

Heartburn

CNS depression

None known

Seasliver

(contains aloe vera, seaweed, cranberry, & PauD’Arco)

Cancer prevention

Detoxification

***Aloe vera taken orally may have adverse effects. (Inconclusive clinical data)

GI distress

dermatitis

Hypoglycemic agents, diuretics, Digoxin, anticoagulants,  & antiplatelets.

Shark Cartilage

Cancer treatment and prevention,

Arthritis, colitis, glaucoma, inflammation, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, &

psoriasis

*** Brands vary in amount shark

cartilage in product.

People with liver disease

GI distress

None known

Skullcap

(Scutellaria baicalensis)

Cancer treatment,

Atherosclerosis,

Hepatitis,

Insomnia,

Infections, &

Inflammation

Liver Disorders

Liver toxicity

pneumonitis

Anticoagulants & antiplatelets

St. John’s Wort

(Hypericum perforatum)

Anxiety , depression, fatigue, pain, insomnia, PMS, SAD, & wound healing

***Discontinue 7 days prior to surgery. Photosensitivity

Pregnant or nursing women

Bipolar Disorder

HIV/AIDS

H/A, GI distress,

Fatigue, confusion, dry mouth, sleep disturbances, &

sedation

Cytochrome 3A4

Barbituturates,

Antidepressants & MAO-I antidepressants

Theophylline, Cyclosporin, Diltiazem & Nifedipine

Superoxide Dismutase

(SOD)

Inflammation,

Scleroderma,

Anti-aging,

Cystitis, &

Urinary tract disorder