| Herb | Action/Use | Caution | Drug Interactions |
|---|
| DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) | | - Hx of prostatic or breast carcinoma
- Hepatic dysfunction
- Diabetes
| - Antidiabetic agents
- Estrogen
- Corticosteroids
|
| Ginkgo biloba | - ↑ Mental function (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease)
- Antiplatelet agent
- CNS stimulant
| Contraindication: - Discontinue 2 wk before surgery
- Blood clotting disorder
- Renal failure
- Acute infection
- ↑ or ↓ BP
| - Blood-thinning medications (e.g., Coumadin, heparin, NSAIDs, ASA)
- Hormonal
- Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors
- Antihypertensives
- Caffeine
- Decongestants
|
| Ginseng | - ↓ Fatigue, stress
- ↑ Mental alertness
- ↑ Physical endurance
- ↑ Appetite
- Antidepressant
- ↑ Immune response
| Contraindicated with: - Peptic ulcer
- Intracranial bleeding
- Elderly with cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
| - MAO inhibitors
- Antihypertensives
- Barbiturates
- Anticoagulants
- Insulin and oral hypoglycemics
- Digoxin
|
| Kava | - ↓ Anxiety
- ↓ Stress
- ↓ Restlessness
- ↑ Sleep (↓ insomnia)
- ↑ Relaxation
| - Discontinue after 3 mo (yellow hair, skin, nails)
- Reaction:
- Euphoria
- Depression
- Somnolence
- Eye accommodation disturbance
- Muscle weakness
| - Alcohol/CNS depressants
- Barbiturates
- Antipsychotics (e.g., Haldol)
- Antianxiety drugs (Valium, Xanax, Ativan)
- ↓ Effects of levodopa (Parkinson’s disease)
- Statins (liver injury)
|
| SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) | | | - Other antidepressants (MAO inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants [TCAs], selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs])
- Potentiates St. John’s wort
|
| St. John’s wort | | - ↑ Panic, agitation, confusion
- ↑ Skin sensitivity in sun (if also on sulfa, Feldane, Prilosec, Prevacid)
| - ↑ Serotonin level if on antidepressants (e.g., MAO inhibitors, SSRIs, TCAs)
- Reduces effect of:
- Digoxin
- Immunosuppressants
- Protease inhibitors (HIV)
- Oral contraceptives
- Coumadin
- Theophylline (asthma)
- Antipsychotics (e.g., clozapine)
- Chemotherapy
|
| Valerian | - Minor tranquilizer
- Anxiety, panic attacks
- Sleep disorders (insomnia)
| - Light-headedness
- Restless
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Tremor
- Blurred vision
| - Potentiates other CNS depressants (e.g., alcohol)
- Benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax, Valium)
- Anticonvulsants (e.g., Dilantin, phenobarbital)
- Antidepressants (e.g., Elavil, Tofranil, Prozac)
- Avoid taking with substances that cause drowsiness
|