| Herbal Supplement | Usual Apply | Possible Problems | May Interact With |
| Dong Quai (Angelica) | To relieve menopausal symptoms, PMS, irregular menstruation cycles. | Enhances bleeding. | Drugs that hinder the clotting of blood. |
Echinacea
(Goldenseal) | To cure colds, flu, and mild infections, especially upper respiratory infections (chest colds). | May lead to injury of the liver and intestinal/ stomach and diarrhea upset. It can lead to skin rash. Its use may suppress the immune system. Eechinacea applied for eight weeks or more can affect the liver. | Drugs that lead to injury to the liver; synthetic hormones; some anti-cancer drugs. |
Ephedra
(Ma Huang,
Ephedrine,
Pseudo-
ephedrine) | To cure asthma and coughs; to provide quicker weight loss. | May lead to seizures, adverse cardiac events, such as irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, stroke or heart attack. | Some heart medicines and medicines that increase blood pressure. Decongestants; stimulants, antidepressants and general anesthesia. |
| Garlic | To lessen cholesterol and blood clot production. To avoid stroke, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, to reduce cholesterol | Enhances bleeding. It upset stomach, leads to intestinal problems, heartburn, bad breath and body odor. | Drugs that hinder the clotting of blood. |
| Ginger | To reduce nausea. | Enhances bleeding; imoroves the state of the central nervous system; reduces blood pressure and blood glucose levels; causes irregular heartbeat. | Drugs that hinder the clotting of blood; medicines that increase blood pressure; cardiac drugs; drugs that reduce blood sugar level and increase the effects of sedatives. |
| Ginkgo Biloba | For better blood circulation, especially to brain; against memory loss, dizziness and headache. It is used in the cases of tinnitus and memory loss. | Enhances bleeding; leads sometimes to cramps and/or muscle spasms. Allergic skin reactions, and mild digestive problems are possible. | Drugs that hinder the clotting of blood. |
| Ginseng | To provide the body with more energy and lessen stress. | Enhances bleeding; leads to irregular heartbeat and/or increased blood pressure; leads sometimes to mania. | Drugs that hinder the clotting of blood; stimulants; medicines that lower blood pressure; some antidepressants; digoxin (a heart drug); may increase the effects of steroids and estrogens. |
| Goldenseal | It is applied as a mild antibiotic for the treatment of sore throats and upper respiratory infections. | Increases fluid retention; blood pressure; may lead to nausea or nervousness. | Drugs that increase urination; medicines that reduce blood pressure. |
| Kava Kava | To cure anxiety, nervousness and insomnia. | May lead to upset stomach; liver damage and/or the stimulation of an allergic skin reaction that leads to a yellow color of skin. | May increase the effects of sedatives, muscle relaxants, anesthetics and antidepressants. |
| Licorice | To cure hepatitis and peptic ulcers. | May increase blood pressure; may reduce levels of potassium in the blood; may lead to swelling. | Medicines that reduce blood pressure; may increase the effects of steroids. |
SAM-e
(S-adenosyl-
L-methionine) | To cure depression or osteoarthritis. | May lead to drowsiness; nausea and/or upset stomach. | May increase the effects of some antidepressants. |
| St. John's Wort | To treat mild depression, anxiety or seasonal affective disorder. Enhances bleeding. | It may cause sensitivity to sunlight if applied for long periods of time Itching, headache, fatigue, bloating, weight gain and constipation are also possible. | May increase the effects of anti-depressants; lessens the effectiveness of medications consumed by organ-transplant patients. |
| Valerian | To cure insomnia or anxiety. | May lead to drowsiness and digestion problems. | Enhances the effects of sedatives. |
