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Drug-Herb Interactions and Asthma
Some herbs
have been approved by the United States Food and Drug
Administration (USFDA) for certain uses. Visit
http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/ for
more information on dietary supplements.
USFDA Approved Herbs
- Aloe – laxative
- Capsicum – topical analgesic
- Cascara – laxative
- Psyllium – laxative
- Senna – laxative
- Witch Hazel – astringent
Other herbs have been shown to be unsafe for any use.
Unsafe Herbs
- American Mistletoe
- Androstenedione
- Arnica
- Bittersweet Nightshade
- Bloodroot
- Broom
- Chapparal
- Comfrey
- Deadly Nightshade
- English Tonka Bean
- Dutch Tonka Bean
- Ephedra - banned April 2004
- European Mistletoe
- Germander
- Heliotrope
- Horse Chestnut
- Jimsonweed
- Lily of the Valley
- Lobelia
- Madagascar Periwinkle
- Mandrake
- Mayapple
- Morning Glory
- Periwinkle
- St. Johns Wort
- Snakeroot/Aristolochic acid
- SpindleTree
- Sweet Flag
- True Jalap
- Wahoo
- Wormwood
- Yohimbe
It is important to talk to your doctor about the herbs you are thinking about, or are, taking. The USFDA has found that some herbs can
interact with prescription and other drugs to cause people harm. There are many medical and scientific terms in the following list,
feel free to print it off and take it to your doctor if you have questions about herbs.
Drug-Herb Interactions
Aloe
Indications:
- Laxative (FDA approved)
- Topically for burns, sunburn, cuts, abrasions, and acne
Contraindications/possible interactions:
-
Increases the effects of antiarrythmics, cardiac glycosides
-
Increases potassium loss with loop diuretics,
thiazides, and corticosteroids
Betal Nut
Indications:
- Breath
sweetener; appetite stimulant
- Contraindications/possible interactions:
- Decreases
the effects of prednisone and salbutamol causing poorer
control of asthma
Indications:
- Laxative,
appetite stimulant, digestive disorders
- Topically
for skin conditions and burns
Cascara
Indications:
- Laxative (FDA approved)
- Wound cleanser
Contraindications/possible interactions:
- Increases potassium loss with thiazide diuretics, corticosteroids, and licorice root
- Decreases the effect of NSAIDs
Cats Claw
Indications:
- Anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive
- Folk medicine use:
- Rheumatism, diarrhea, gastritis
- Wound healing, asthma
- Contraception, menstrual abnormalities
Contraindications/possible interactions:
- Decreases serum estradiol and progesterone levels
Chamomile
Indications:
- Cough, bronchitis, fevers, colds
- Inflammation of the skin, mouth and pharynx
Contraindications/possible interactions:
- Risk of anaphalaxis (severe allergic reaction) in people with
hay fever and/or asthma caused by pollen
- May interact with anticoagulants and benzodiazepines
Ephedra - see Ma Haung
Ginkgo Biloba
Indications:
- Memory enhancer, Alzheimers disease
- Chronic schizophrenia, cerebro-vascular ischemia
- Asthma (decrease airway inflammation, decrease airway sensitivity)
Contraindications/possible interactions:
- MAO inhibitor, NSAIDs, anti-coagulants, thiazide diuretics
Ginseng
Indications:
- Fatigue, decreased concentration
- Folk medicine use:
- Anorexia, cachexia, anxiety, expectorant, asthma, rheumatism, mental strengthener
Contraindications/possible interactions:
- Hypertension, hypoglycemia, insulin, warfarin, NSAIDs, anti-platelet agents, MAOI, and loop diuretics
Garlic
Indications:
- Decrease cholesterol and triglycerides
- Folk medicine use:
- Inflammatory conditions, joint conditions, diuretic, expectorant, and asthma
Contraindications/possible interactions:
- Increases bleeding with anticoagulant use
- Increases serum insulin levels
Green Tea
Indications:
- Mouthwash may inhibit dental caries
- Antidepressant, antidiarrheal, migraines and fatigue
Contraindications/possible interactions:
- The tea may be an asthma-inducing agent
- It may interact with antacids, carafate, proton pump inhibitors, antipsychotics, beta-adrenergic agonist, beta
blockers, MAOIs, quinolones, theophylline, and warfarin
Kava Kava
Indications:
- Anxiety, stress, restlessness, muscle relaxant
- Anticonvulsive, antispasmodic, analgesic and insomnia
- Folk medicine use:
- Sedative, asthma, rheumatism, dyspepsia
- Chronic cystitis, and weight loss
Contraindications/possible interactions:
- Increases risk with alcohol, alprazolam, barbiturates, psychoactive agents, and dopamine antagonist
- Abnormal liver function has been linked to use.
Kelp
Indications:
- Constipation, bronchitis, emphysema
- Asthma, indigestion, ulcers, colitis
- Obesity, disorders of the gastro-intestinal and genitourinary tracts
Contraindications/possible interactions:
- Abnormal erythropoiesis, autoimmune
- Thrombocytopenia, bleeding, hypotension, contamination with arsenic
Licorice
Indications:
- Cough, bronchitis, gastric/duodenal ulcers, viral hepatitis
Contraindications/possible interactions:
- Increases potassium loss when used with furosemide or thiazide diuretics
- Potentiation of oral and topical corticosteroids
Ma Haung (Ephedra)
Indications:
- Cough, bronchitis, asthma, weight loss
- Cardiovascular and CNS stimulation
Contraindications/possible interactions:
- May interact with cardiac glycosides and MAOIs
- The FDA has banned Ma Haung due to its effects on the CNS and heart
St. John’s Wort
Indications:
- Anxiety, depressive moods, bronchitis
- Asthma, gall bladder disease, dyspepsia, and myalgia
Contraindications/possible interactions:
- Paroxetine, Trazadone, Sertraline, Nefazodone, Digoxin, Cyclosporin, Etoposide, decreases theophylline concentrations
Rhubarb Root
Indications:
- Laxative, appetite stimulant, digestive disorders
- Topically for skin conditions and burns
Contraindications/possible interactions:
- Increases potassium loss when used with thiazide diuretics, corticosteroids, and licorice root
Yohimbe
Indications:
- Marketed as a sexual stimulant and herbal Viagra
Contraindications/possible
- Blood pressure changes, heart beat irregularities and heart attacks have been reported
The following herbs have had adverse-event reports or pose theoretical risks:
- Bitter orange- Associated with high blood pressure, increased risk of heart arrhythmias,
heart attack, and stroke
- Organ/glandular extracts- Theoretical risk of mad cow disease, particularly from
brain extracts
- Lobelia- Associated with difficulty breathing and rapid heart rates
- Pennyroyal oil- Associated with liver and kidney failure, nerve damage, convulsions, abdominal tenderness, burning of the throat-
deaths have been reported
- Scullcap- Associated with liver damage
Adapted from United States Food and Drug
Administration materials. For
more information contact the NIH Office of
Dietary Supplements:
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