- Professional Formulas (as needed in a clinical setting)
Drug-Herb Conflicts
|
Herb |
Drug |
Contraindication |
|
Bladderwrack |
Hyperthyroid
medication |
May decrease effectiveness of drug due to natural iodine
content. |
|
Bladderwrack |
Thyroid
replacement therapies |
May add to effect of drug. |
|
Bugleweed |
Radioactive
iodine |
May interfere with administration of diagnostic
procedures using radioactive isotopes. |
|
Bugleweed |
Thyroid
hormones |
Should not be administered concurrently with
preparations containing thyroid hormone. |
|
Chaparral |
Sulfur
drugs, cortisone, chemo drugs |
Interacts negatively with drugs, especially with sulfur
drugs, cortisone and chemotherapy agents. |
|
Dan
Shen |
Warfarin |
May potentiate effect of drug. |
|
Echinacea |
Immunosuppressant
medication |
May decrease effectiveness of drug. |
|
Garlic |
Warfarin |
May potentiate effect of drug. |
|
Ginger |
Warfarin |
Increased risk of spontaneous bleeding, particularly at
levels greater than 4 gms/day ginger. |
|
Gotu Kola |
|
Accelerates the action of penicillin and sulfur drugs. allow at least 2 hours between the two. |
|
Green Tea, Chamomile, Lime Flower, Vervain
Rosemary, & other herbs high in polyphenols |
Iron |
Inhibition of non-heme iron
absorption where iron supplementation is required; do not take simultaneously
with meals or iron supplements. |
|
Korean
(Panax) Ginseng |
MAO
inhibitors |
May cause headaches and tremor, mania. |
|
Licorice |
Anti-hypertensive
medications |
May decrease effectiveness of drug when licorice
consumed long-term at doses greater than 100 mg/day glycyrrhizin. |
|
Licorice |
Digoxin |
Excessive licorice intake causes hypo-kalemia, which can potentiate the toxicity of the drug;
therefore avoid long-term use of licorice
at doses greater than 100 mg/day glycyrrhizin. |
|
Licorice |
Thiazide diuretics and other potassium depleting drugs |
The combined effect of licorice and the drug could
result in excessive potassium loss; avoid long-term use of licorice at doses greater than 100 mg/day
glycyrrhizin. |
|
Nervine and
“mood altering” formulas (Valerian, Passion Flower,
Wood Betony, Scullcap, Hops, Kava Kava, St John’s Wort) |
Anti-depressants,
anti-psychotics, anxiety drugs, tranquilizers, sleep medications |
Allow at least 3 to 4 hours between psychiatric or
anti-psychotic drugs or mood altering drugs. |
|
St
John’s Wort |
Chemotherapeutic
drugs |
Decreases drug levels. |
|
St
John’s Wort |
Digoxin |
Decreases drug levels at doses greater than 1 g/day
dried herb. |
|
St
John’s Wort |
HIV
non-nucleoside transcriptase inhibitors |
Decreases drug levels. |
|
St
John’s Wort |
Immunosuppressives |
Decreases drug levels. |
|
St
John’s Wort |
HIV protease
inhibitors |
Decreases drug levels. |
|
St
John’s Wort |
Phenprocoumon |
Decreases plasma drug levels. |
|
St
John’s Wort |
Warfarin |
Decreases drug levels. |
Bilberry: will fortify vein and capillary support, aids in kidney function and is a mild diuretic for bloating
Blue Cohosh: stops and eliminates false labor pains; for final weeks of pregnancy, to ease and/or induce labor
Burdock Root: helps prevent water retention and jaundice in the baby
Chamomile: aids digestive and bowel problems and relaxes for good sleep.
Echinacea: aids the immune system to help prevent colds, flu and infections
Ginger Root: excellent for morning sickness
Lobelia: helps to relax the mother during delivery and helps speed up the delivery of the placenta
Nettles: will guard against excessive bleeding as it has vitamin K in it; it will improve kidney function and help prevent hemorrhoids
Peppermint: after the first trimester, may be used to help digestion, soothe the stomach and overcome nausea. It is an over-all body strengthener and cleanser
Red Raspberry: it is an all-around excellent herb to use for pregnancy. It is a uterine tonic, anti-abortive, and helps prevent infection. It also aids in preventing cramps and anemia. Prevents excessive bleeding during and after labor and will facilitate the birth process by stimulating contractions.
Wild Yam: for pregnancy pain, nausea or cramping and will lessen miscarriage
Yellow Dock: aids in iron assimilation and will help to prevent infant jaundice
______________________________________________
Bowel: Psyllium with a good amount of water. Cascara Sagrada - start with a very small amount and increase if needed. Do not take so much that it causes cramping or diarrhea.
Build Mother's Milk: Blessed Thistle, Red Raspberry Leaf, Cell Salts, Fenugreek
Cough, Congestion: YS Formula
Depression: Skunk Cabbage
Infection: Echinacea (take two weeks, then off one week), Colloidal Silver, Olive Leaf
Kidney: Fluid Retention: Buchu
Nausea: Red Raspberry Leaf, Spearmint, Peppermint Leaf (not oil) Ginger, Peach Leaf (take in small amounts as it can have laxative effect)
Nerves: Chamomile, Valerian Root
Pregnancy Support Cell Salts
Stomach:Dandelion Root
Thyroid: Dulse, Cell Salts (a lack of iodine in mother's system can cause Down's Syndrome)
Weaning: Sage or Parsley will assist drying up milk production
HERBS TO BE AVOIDED DURING PREGNANCY
The following herbs should not be used during pregnancy.
Aloe Vera, Whole Leaf: use externally only
Alfalfa: in high amounts as it can stimulate hormones
Angelica: can cause uterine contractions
Barberry
Black Cohosh, or any herb that has hormone effect
Buckthorn
Cascara Sagrada
Chestnut Leaf
Cinchona: Cinchona and its alkaloids should be avoided in pregnancies because of their oxytocic effects
Coffee: avoid caffeine, as it irritates the uterus; excessive amounts in some sensitive individuals can cause premature birth or miscarriage
Coltsfoot
Dandelion Root (while nursing)
Dong Quai
Eucalyptus oil: should be avoided during pregnancy as it is difficult to eliminate through the kidneys
Feverfew: has been shown to stimulate menses in some women, and may therefore precipitate miscarriage
Gentian
Golden Seal
Juniper: a too-strong vasodilating, diuretic effect
Lovage: causes uterine contractions
Ma Huang (Ephedra): should be avoided during pregnancy as it has too strong of an antihistamine effect; also raises pulse rate and blood pressure
Mathake
Male Fern: too strong a vermifuge
Mandrake
Milkweed: avoid internally
Mistletoe: can cause uterine contractions
Mugwort: stimulates uterine contractions and can be toxic in large doses
Myrrh
Parsley: in nursing mothers will dry up milk
Pennyroyal: can cause abortion of the unborn child
Poke root: should be avoided during pregnancy as it is a powerful emetic
Rue: can cause abortion
Safflower
Saffron
Sage: in nursing mothers will dry up milk
Senna
Schizandra Berry
Shatavari
Shepherds Purse: too astringent; may be used for after-birth bleeding
Suma:- use with caution
Tansy: can cause uterine contractions
Thuja
Turkey Rhubarb
Wild Ginger: an emmenagogue that causes uterine contractions
Wormwood: stimulates uterine contractions and can be toxic in large doses
Yarrow: a strong astringent and mild abortifacient (may cause abortion of the unborn child)
HERBS TO BE LIMITED DURING PREGNANCY
The herbs listed below should not be taken except by the recommendation of your herbalist, and in limited amounts, and then with caution, and then perhaps only in combinations.
Black Cohosh: use only the final weeks of pregnancy; will ease and/or induce labor.
False Unicorn: use only the final weeks of pregnancy; will ease and/or induce labor.
Golden Seal: large amounts can cause uterine contractions.
Pennyroyal: this herb can cause abortion; may be used in final weeks.
NOTE: The following herbs will move the bowels and should be used very sparingly or in combinations.
• Aloe Vera
• Barberry
• Buckthorn
• Cascara Sagrada
• Mandrake
• Turkey Rhubarb
• Senna
Strong laxatives should be used with discretion as they cause stomach and intestinal cramping
