| Herb | Use | Adverse Effects/Drug Interactions/Cautions |
|---|
| Aloe | External: - Heal burns, wounds
- Anti-infective
- Moisturizer
| Adverse effect: |
| Internal: | Adverse effect: Caution: - Avoid oral use in GI conditions (e.g., inflammation, ulcers, pain of unknown origin)
|
| Arnica | External: - Inflammation caused by insect bites
- After muscular and joint injuries (e.g., bruises)
| Adverse effect: - Toxic skin reaction
- Avoid use on broken skin
|
| Black cohosh | - Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Menopause
| Interaction with: - Oral contraceptives
- Anticoagulants (e.g., Coumadin)
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Caution with: - Estrogen-sensitive cancers (breast, ovarian)
- Salicylate allergies
- History of thromboembolic disease
|
| Burdock leaf and root | - Severe skin problems
- Arthritis
| Adverse effect: - Contaminated with belladonna
|
| Chamomile | External: - Topical anti-inflammatory agent (for eczema, hemorrhoids, mastitis, leg ulcers)
| Caution with: |
Internal: - Indigestion
- Antispasmodic (irritable bowel syndrome)
| |
| Echinacea | - Immune system stimulant at onset of cold
- Anti-infective
- Antipyretic
| Interaction with: - Immunosuppressants (e.g., cyclosporine, anabolic steroids)
Caution with: |
| Evening primrose oil | - Asthma
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Eczema
- Hyperglycemia
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Menopause
- Multiple sclerosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
| Interaction with: - Phenothiazines
- ASA
- NSAIDs
- Anticoagulants
- Antiplatelet agents
- Anticonvulsants
Caution with: - Peptic ulcer
- Intracranial bleeding
- Epilepsy
- Schizophrenia
|
| Feverfew (see also Appendix E) | | Adverse effect: - Increase bleeding
- Spontaneous abortion in early pregnancy
Interaction with: - Anticoagulants
- Antiplatelets
- NSAIDs
Caution: - Do not use before or after surgery
|
| Ginger | - Antiemetic
- Colds, flu
- Headaches
| Interaction with: - Anticoagulants
- Antiplatelets
- Cardiac glycosides
- Hypoglycemic agents
Caution with: |
| Goldenseal | Topical treatment of:
- Sores
- Inflamed mucous membranes
| Interaction with: - Tretinoins (Retin-A)
- Anticoagulants
Adverse effect: - Causes uterine contractions
Caution with: - Women who are pregnant
- Lactation
|
| Hawthorne | - Dementia
- Congestive heart failure (CHF)
- Angina
| Interaction with: - Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
- Anticoagulants
- Coronary vasodilators
Caution with: |
| Melaleuca oil® | - Topical use for burns
- Bactericidal
- Fungicidal
| Adverse effect: - CNS depression
- Allergic dermatitis
|
| Milk thistle | - Liver: hepatitis and cirrhosis
- Gallstones
- Psoriasis
| Interaction with: Adverse effect: |
| Nettle leaf | - Kidney, bladder stones
- UTI
| Caution with: |
| Pennyroyal | External: Internal: - Digestive disorders
- Liver and gallbladder disorders
- Gout
| Use not recommended because of hepatotoxicity |
| Sassafras oil | | Adverse effect: - Carcinogenesis (e.g., hepatic tumors)
|
| Saw palmetto | - Antiandrogen therapy
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
| Interaction with: |
| Senna | | Adverse effect: - Electrolyte imbalance (decreased K+)
Caution with: - Acute intestinal inflammation (e.g., Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, appendicitis)
|