TOC |  Herbs  

  Popular Herbal Remedies

West Los Angeles Jul 2003

Name	Uses and Claims	Precautions	Interactions
Aloe	Gel products: for wound healing, burns, frostbites Oral products: enhance immune system, so some AIDS patients are taking it	Topical products: no side effects reported Oral use of latex products: stomach cramps, diarrhea, electrolyte imbalance (like potassium loss); avoid in pregnancy	May increase toxicity of digoxin, thiazide-type diuretics (water pills)
Bearberry	For antibacterial and astringent effects on urinary tract infections; not effective in weight loss (used as a diuretic)	May cause nausea, vomiting; do not use in acute inflammation or during pregnancy or for prostate disorders	Urine must be alkaline to be effective; thus, urinary acidifiers such as cranberry juice can inactivate bearberry.
Birch Leaf	Shown to be a diuretic in animals	No side effects reported in literature; avoid in impaired heart and kidney function
Black Cohosh	For hot flashes, premenstrual discomfort	Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding; may cause stomach upset and low blood pressure
Capsicum	Topical products used for pain as in shingles, trigeminal and diabetic neuralgia (nerve pain)	Can cause burning sensation; avoid contamination/rubbing onto eyes and mucous membranes
Cascara	Used as a stimulant laxative (for constipation)	Avoid in pregnancy or breastfeeding; fresh bark can cause severe vomiting; misuse can cause electrolyte loss including potassium	May increase toxicity of digoxin and thiazide-type diuretics (water pills)
Cat’s Claw	Anti-inflammatory, arthritis; enhances immune system	No reports of toxicity

 

Name	Uses and Claims	Precautions	Interactions
Chamomile	Anti-inflammatory; for stomach spasms, ulcers and bowel problems;	Rarely, may cause allergic reaction; eating large quantities of dried flower heads can cause vomiting
Chaparral	Blood purifier, cancer cure, acne treatment	6 cases of non-viral hepatitis; may lead to liver damage with chronic use and/ or large doses
Chaste Tree Berry	For menopausal and premenstrual symptoms	Rarely, can cause stomach upset, itching; interferes with hormonal release; thus, may result in early onset of menstruation after child delivery
Chondroitin and Glucosamine	For stimulating cartilage growth and repair; for arthritis	Few side effects; mostly stomach upset
Chromium Picolinate	For weight loss, effective in diabetic patients with chromium deficiency	No major side effects	Antacids lower absorption of chromium while aspirin, vitamin C, indomethacin, and diet high in complex carbohydrates increase its absorption
Cranberry	For prevention of urinary tract infections	Overuse (over 3-4 liters per day) can cause diarrhea
Coenzyme Q10	Slows aging process, also used in heart failure (increase in force of heart muscle contraction)	Very low incidence of side effects
Comfrey	For healing wounds, ulcers, psoriasis	May cause liver damage; avoid in pregnancy
Cordyceps	Adaptogen, asthma, cancers, cough, diabetes, heart disease, cholesterol lowering, kidney tonic

 

Name	Uses and Claims	Precautions	Interactions
DHEA	Called the "fountain of youth" Used to restore youth, boost immune system, prevent age-related diseases	May cause acne, facial hair growth, aggressiveness, breast cancer in women, prostate cancer in men
Dong Quai	Used to stimulate normal menstrual flow and prevent cramping	Avoid in pregnancy; essential oil contains safrole (a carcinogen—cancer causing potential)
Echinacea	For prevention and treatment of cold/flu symptoms	Possibly suppresses immune system with continuous use (6-8 weeks)? Avoid in autoimmune diseases
Ephedra or Ma Huang	For asthma, congestion, depression; not safe and effective for weight loss; although it is common in many weight loss products	Misuse has caused strokes and deaths; can cause high blood pressure, nervousness, insomnia, palpitations, high blood sugar	Avoid in patients taking medications for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes
Evening Primrose Oil	For lowering cholesterol; atopic eczema	No reports of side effects
Feverfew	For prevention and treatment of migraine; used to treat fevers and menstrual problems; not effective for treating rheumatoid arthritis	Can cause stomach upset; avoid in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and in children; fresh leaves can cause mouth ulcers	May interact with blood thinners (CoumadinÒ ) to increase bleeding
Garlic	For lowering cholesterol; may have beneficial effects on bacterial infections, clotting disorders, high blood pressure, cancers	Rarely, can cause allergic reactions; heat and acid destroy ingredients responsible for cholesterol lowering, so enteric-coated products show best results; may lower blood sugar so may affect diabetes control	May interact with blood thinners (CoumadinÒ ) to increase bleeding

 

Name	Uses and Claims	Precautions	Interactions
Ginger	For motion sickness and nausea; arthritis	Avoid during pregnancy (controversial) and during times of cancer chemotherapy or after surgery when bleeding is a concern	May interact with blood thinners (CoumadinÒ ) to increase bleeding
Ginkgo	Increases circulation to the brain and extremities of the body; Used in Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss, claudication, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), depression, dizziness (vertigo)	Can cause mild headaches, allergic rashes, stomach upset	There have been few reports of subdural hematoma (bleeding in the brain) with chronic use; May interact with blood thinners (CoumadinÒ ), aspirin, and anti-inflammatory drugs (MotrinÒ , AdvilÒ ) to increase bleeding risk
Ginseng—Korean	Used as an "adaptogen" to normalize the body and provide resistance to stress; increase energy and stamina; may lower cholesterol	There have been reports of high blood pressure, insomnia, irritability, anxiety, tachycardia (increase heart rate); may raise blood sugar; long term use is not recommended in high blood pressure patients	May interact with blood thinners (CoumadinÒ ) to increase bleeding; may interact with MAO-inhibitors (PhenelzineÒ )
Ginseng—Siberian	Use not supported by adequate clinical studies; not proven to increase endurance	No side effects reported
Glycine (found in soy products)	Anti-cancer, heart protection, menopausal symptoms
Goldenrod	Used for prevention and treatment of urinary tract inflammation; urinary or kidney stones	Rarely, can cause allergies
Goldenseal	For "cleansing" the liver and blood; Used to mask urine drug screens (not effective); for mucosal inflammation and gastritis	Avoid in pregnancy; high doses can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory failure, high blood pressure, convulsions

 

Name	Uses and Claims	Precautions	Interactions
Gotu Kola	Promote wound healing, including bladder lesions; for stress, memory; topical products used to clear psoriasis.	Can cause rash; large doses can cause drowsiness
Grapeseed extract "pycnogenol"	To improve circulation, reduce inflammation; protects skin from wrinkles	No side effects reported
Green Tea	Anti-cancer and anti-bacterial activity; cholesterol lowering
Guarana (contains caffeine)	For increasing energy (stimulant); used to treat drowsiness	May cause high blood pressure and excessive stimulation; avoid high doses in heart disease
Hawthorne	Used to treat heart failure, angina (chest pain), sleep disorders; dilate coronary blood vessels	High doses cause low blood pressure	May interact with heart and blood pressure medications.
Herbal Phen-Fen	Contains ephedra and St. John’s Wort; for weight loss	See sections on ephedra and St. John’s Wort
Hops (related to marijuana)	May have sedative effects	Can cause rash
Horehound	Used as an expectorant; cough suppressant; digestive aid, appetite stimulant	No side effects reported; however, at large doses may produce heart rhythm irregularities
Horse chestnut	Treat varicose veins	Whole horse chestnuts (containing aesculin) are toxic; Venastat, standardized horse chestnut, does not contain aesculin	May interact with blood thinners (CoumadinÒ ) to increase bleeding
Hydrangea	Roots used for diuretic effects, kidney and prostate disorders	Leaves contain cyanide (do not consume)

 

Name	Uses and Claims	Precautions	Interactions
Kava-Kava	For sleep disorders and anxiety	High doses can cause muscle weakness; chronic use causes reversible skin discoloration and eye disturbances; avoid in pregnancy, depression	Interacts with alcohol, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers (depressants) to enhance sedative effects
Kolanut—Cola (contains caffeine)	Used in beverages for caffeine content	Can cause nervousness, anxiety, stimulating effects like coffee
Lemon balm	Treat sleep disorders and nervous stomach disorders; topical treatment for early stages of herpes
Licorice	Used to treat stomach ulcers; as an expectorant	Considered unsafe. High doses result in high blood pressure, water retention, potassium loss; avoid in pregnancy, liver disorders, low potassium patients	Avoid in patients taking digoxin, thiazide-type diuretics (water pills)
Lobelia	For asthma, bronchitis; cough suppressant	Nicotine-like effects; only use short term
Melatonin	For insomnia, jet lag; slows aging; enhances sex life	May worsen existing depression
Milk Thistle	Antioxidant effects; liver protective	Mild diarrhea, allergic reactions; do not use in severe liver cirrhosis
Morinda citrifolia (also known as noni juice, Indian mulberry, hog apple, wild pine, Tahitian noni juice, mora de la India)	Insufficient reliable information available to support claims for diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, arthritis, menstrual cramps, gastric ulcers, addiction, fever, berberi, cholic, convulsions, cough, dysuria, cancer, arthritis, asthma, bone and joint problems, infections, kidney disorders, stroke, cataracts, colds, depression, digestive problems. Topically, used as an emollient to reduce the signs of aging.	Take on empty stomach because stomach acid caused by food ingestion will destroy the enzyme required to form the active ingredient. Possibly safe when used orally or topically. Avoid using in pregnancy or breastfeeding—insufficient data to support.	In patients with kidney disease or taking potassium-sparing diuretics (waterpills such as spironolactone and triamterene), there is a potential for an increase risk of hyperkalemia (high potassium). Morinda fruit juice contains about 56 mEq per liter of potassium. Urine can be discolored from pink to rust and interfere with diagnostic tests.

 

Name	Uses and Claims	Precautions	Interactions
Nettle	Fresh sap has mild diuretic effect; roots may relieve prostate symptoms; stimulates immune system	Rarely, can cause allergic reactions; avoid in patients with heart disease and kidney disease
Noni	See Morinda citrifolia	See Morinda citrifolia	See Morinda citrifolia
Passion Flower	Used as a sedative	No side effects reported
Pau D’Arco	Anti-cancer and anti-flammatory but evidence is inconclusive	Causes nausea, vomiting, dizziness	May interact with blood thinners (CoumadinÒ ) to increase bleeding
Peppermint	Reduce muscle spasms in the GI tract (stomach); treats abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome	Avoid in children; overuse leads to heartburn; may worsen hiatal hernia symptoms
Psyllium (MetamucilÒ )	Laxative for constipation, irritable bowel syndrome; lowers cholesterol	Rarely, causes allergic reaction; intestinal blockage if not taken with enough water	May interfere with the absorption of many medications; space out other medications as long as 4-6 hours apart
Pumpkin Seeds	Used to increase urination in patients with prostate problems (BPH)	No side effects reported
St. John’s Wort	Shown effective for mild to moderate depression; sedative effects	May cause photosensitivity, increase in liver function tests	Avoid in patients taking concurrent anti-depressants
Sarsaparilla	Used to treat syphilis; act as a diuretic; being promoted erroneously for body building; does not contain testosterone or converted into anabolic steroids	Causes throat and intestinal irritations	May interfere with absorption of simultaneously administered medications; increases absorption of digoxin
Sassafras	For rheumatic pain, antiseptic	Contains safrole (carcinogen—cancer causing potential); may cause liver damage

 

Name	Uses and Claims	Precautions	Interactions
Saw Palmetto	For treatment of prostate condition (BPH); has anti-inflammatory effects	Rarely, can cause stomach upset, mild headache; high doses cause diarrhea; avoid in children, breastfeeding, and pregnancy
Senna	Used to treat constipation	Chronic use can result in electrolyte imbalance and potassium loss; may turn urine red; do not use more than 2 weeks	May increase toxicity of digoxin
Slippery Elm	Treats sore throats, gastritis, colitis, ulcers	Pollen may cause allergic reaction; may cause rash
Tea Tree Oil	Used to treat boils, abscesses, cuts, abrasions, and acne	Skin irritation
Tragacanth	Used as a thickening agent; not proven to reduce cholesterol or blood sugar	Is easily contaminated.
Valerian	Shown to have mild sedative/hypnotic effects; used for sleep disorders	May cause morning drowsiness
White Willow	Used as a pain killer; has ingredients similar to aspirin	Side effects similar to aspirin (stomach upset, uclers)	Not shown to interact with blood thinners
Witch Hazel	Astringent, anti-inflammatory; used to treat skin inflammation	Nausea, vomiting, constipation
Yerba Mate	Used to treat drowsiness	May cause high blood pressure, excessive stimulation (anxiety, nervousness); Heavy use increases risk of cancer of the esophagus.

 

Name	Uses and Claims	Precautions	Interactions
Yohimbe	Used to treat impotence	Recommended for use under the supervision of a doctor; may cause anxiety; nausea, vomiting, high or low blood pressure; should not be used in kidney disease or psychological disorders

Herbs Considered Unsafe (need supervision of a doctor or health care provider):

Chaparral Yohimbe

Ephedra Licorice

Hydrangea Lobelia

Sassafras Comfrey