Health Herbs and Drug Interactions

Conventional medicines are not always without side-effects. The same goes for herbal treatments. Health herbs and drug interactions is an interesting topic to explore. With alternative medicine treatments, scientific bases are practically nonexistent; which causes problems for doctors who are unable to accurately guide patients on potential toxicity and appropriate usage. Standardized references are absent and most herbal formulations weren't quality controlled and lack uniformity.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences' Dr. Lucinda Miller took it upon herself to review known drug-herb interactions to establish data on the subject of health and herbs and published it in the Archives of Internal Medicine journal.

Toxicities and Drug Interactions for Healthy Herbs

The list below came from Miller's article along with summaries of several herbs, emphasizing potential drug-to-herb interactions. It must be made clear that the "uses" info are largely unsupported by scientific research.

1. Echinacea - Echinacea claims to boost the ability of the body to fight infection because white blood cells in the lab can be pushed to devour particles.

Nasty taste is the common side-effect, but Echinacea ingestion can also lead to a toxic liver. Avoid using it together with other meds affecting the liver.

2. Garlic - Cholesterol and blood pressure levels can be lowered with garlic. However, Miller says that there is still limited evidence to support its routine usage in the clinical practice setting.

Stomach upset, allergic reactions and skin inflammations were reported along with bad breath. Garlic can lower normal blood clotting. Use with care when taking anticoagulants.

3. Ginseng - This works toward adrenal gland stimulation, upping energy. Diabetics can also benefit from using ginseng as it is said to reduce blood sugar levels.

Ginseng elevates blood pressure, causes vomiting, nose bleeds, insomnia, headaches, nervousness and tremors. It can also register false abnormal blood tests for digoxin levels among heart disease patient.

4. Saw Palmetto - This herb is often used for prostate gland enlargement problems. It's also been praised for its urinary antiseptic and diuretic benefits to ward off bladder infection.

Upset stomachs are the main complaint with saw palmetto. It can also affect sexual performance, driving down the sex drive because of lowered testosterone.

5. Chamomile - It's an herb that usually comes in the form of tea and acts as a sedative.

An allergic reaction can take place in people with ragweed allergies. Known reactions include tongue thickness, lips, eyes and throat swelling, body itching, breathing passage blockages, throat tightness and abdominal cramps.

6. St. John's Wort - Also called Hypericum perforatum, this herb treats anxiety, sleep disorders and depression.

A common side-effect is sun sensitivity. Nerve changes may also be observed in the sunburned body parts.

7. Feverfew - This treats migraine headaches.

People allergic to ragweed, yarrow or chamomile can have allergic reactions. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can limit feverfew's effects. Post-feverfew syndrome is characterized by nervousness, joint pain, insomnia, headaches, stiffness and exhaustion. It impairs the normal platelets.

8. Gingko Biloba - This one treats dementia and improves thinking.

There have been reports of headache and mild indigestion. It appears to possess blood thinning characteristics. Epilepsy patients taking seizure meds should avoid using gingko biloba.

9. Ginger - Bowel spasms and nausea can be treated with ginger.

Reactions: Ginger intake may result in blood thinning.

Many other herbal treatments are available besides the ones listed here. In terms of popularity, alternative medicine ranks right up there with most therapies. However, further study is required regarding health herbs and drug interactions. The lack of data prevents doctors from fully helping patients heavily using herbal nutritional supplements.