Download Herbal Supplements - St. Vincent Healthcare

*This product list of the most commonly used herbal supplements is for information only. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist for specific information
about a particular product. Not all available herbals are listed. St.Vincent Healthcare does not promote nor condone the use of these supplements.
Herbal Supplement
Common Uses
Side Effects and Drug Interactions
Black Cohosh
Menopausal symptom relief
Gastrointestinal upset
Echinacea
Immune system enhancement to
help fight colds and flu and aid
in wound healing
Can cause dizziness and allergic
reactions; may decrease effectiveness
of immunosuppressant agents
Feverfew
Migraines, arthritis and
menstrual irregularities
GI upset; may increase bleeding in
patients taking anti-clotting medications
Garlic
Cholesterol, triglyceride and
blood pressure reduction
Malodorous breath; GI upset; may
increase bleeding in patients taking
anti-clotting medications; can increase
the effects of oral diabetic agents
Ginkgo or Ginkgo Biloba
Memory and mental alertness aid;
blood circulation enhancement
Allergic reactions; may increase
bleeding in patients taking anti-clotting
medications
Ginseng (Siberian)
Physical stamina, mental
concentration and alertness aid
Insomnia; may elevate heart rate and
blood pressure; may lower blood sugar;
may cause bleeding in menopausal
women; may interfere with anti-clotting
medications and oral diabetic agents
Goldenseal
Mild laxative and diuretic
GI upset; delirium; may worsen high
blood pressure
Green Tea
Antioxidant to promote health,
prevent cancer and aid weight loss
Insomnia; gastric irritation; high blood
pressure; may increase bleeding in
patients taking anti-clotting medications
Kava-kava
Nervousness, anxiety or restlessness
Can cause liver damage; may increase
the effects of certain anti-seizure
medicines and sedatives
Licorice
Stomach ulcers and abdominal pain
May cause high blood pressure and
electrolyte disturbances; interacts with
blood pressure drugs
Saw Palmetto
Enlarged prostrate or
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)
May interfere with hormone therapies
St. John’s Wort
Mild to moderate depression,
anxiety and sleep disorders
GI upset; allergic reactions; fatigue;
dizziness; confusion; dry mouth;
sensitivity to light; may interact with
anti-depressant medications
Valerian
Mild sedative or sleep aid
Morning drowsiness; headache; may
enhance the effects of anti-seizure
medicines and sedatives
03/05
Herbal
Supplements
What you need to know
What you should know about
herbal supplements:
We’ve all seen herbal supplements advertised on
television and in vitamin aisles of grocery stores,
but are they safe? This brochure is designed to
inform you of different herbal supplements and
how they interact with your body and/or other
medications.
Are herbal supplements
considered medicines?
Yes. Herbal supplements are a type of dietary
supplement made from a plant or plant part.
Many herbs have a long history of use and
claimed health benefits. However, some herbs
have caused health problems for users.
Does the federal government
make sure that herbal supplements
are safe?
No. Unlike OTC and prescription drugs, herbal
products are not regulated for purity, safety or
potency because manufacturers are not required
by law to submit this information to the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA).As a result,
any given herbal supplement may lack active
ingredients, contain contaminants or be
mislabeled.
Points to consider if you use or
are thinking of using herbal
supplements:
Inform your healthcare provider before starting
any herbal supplement.Treat herbal supplements
the same way you would OTC and prescription
drugs. Remember that natural does not equate to
“safe” or “without harmful effects.”
(For example, Kava-kava has been linked
to serious liver damage.)
Do I need to tell my doctor about
all the herbal products and
other supplements I take?
Yes. It is essential that you tell your doctor
about any treatments you are using,
including herbal or nutritional
supplements, vitamins and any other
prescribed or OTC drugs. Because herbal
supplements are medications, they can have side
effects and interact with other medications you
may be taking. Even though herbal products are
available without a prescription, medical
guidance is still necessary to ensure safety.
Could herbal medicines affect my
anesthesia if I need surgery?
Anesthesiologists are conducting research to
determine exactly how certain herbals interact
with certain anesthetics.They are finding certain
herbals may prolong the effects of anesthesia.
Others may increase the risks of bleeding or raise
blood pressure. Some effects may be subtle and
less critical, but for anesthesiologists, anticipating
a possible reaction is better than reacting to an
unexpected condition. So it is very important to
tell your doctor about everything you are taking
before surgery. The American Society of
Anesthesiologists recommends that patients stop
all herbal remedies at least 2 weeks prior to
surgery.
Research your options:
Do your research before exposing yourself to
herbal products, and ask your doctor or
pharmacist the following questions before
taking them:
• Is the product safe?
• Could it adversely interact with any
prescription or OTC medications I am
taking?
• Are there any side effects?
• Does it work? Has research been conducted
to prove its effectiveness?
Don’t rely on other people’s testimonials or
small studies done by the manufacturer as proof
of product effectiveness. Selling herbal
supplements is big business, and these products
do not go through FDA testing.
Use reliable sources when finding
information about herbal
supplements and remedies.
Examples include:
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),
www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-savvy.html
• National Center for Complementary and
Alternative Medicine Clearinghouse (NCCAM),
888-644-6226 or www.nccam.nih.gov
• National Institute of Health: Office of Dietary
Supplements (ODS), www.ods.od.nih.gov
Women who are pregnant or nursing should be
especially cautious about using herbal
supplements. Caution also applies to treating
children with herbal supplements.
Immediately stop taking an herbal supplement if
you notice any problems and consult your
physician.