So-called bad herbs

[teishabee]

So Im making a list of herbs that can have an adverse effect.

Generally on perscribed medicines, but also wanting any so called side effects, or herbs that dont mix together.

So far I have -

St Johns Wort
Enchicea
Milk Thisle

[teishabee]

:idea:

[SageofThyme]

:lol: well you did ask a difficult question .....as the answer even with St John's Wort isn't straight forward

It depends on the type of medicine you are taking, quantity taken other medical history etc

It depends how indepth you want to get

[teishabee]

Yeah I suppose it was. :hahugh:

Oh well I just want general could have this efffect.

[Isil Darkmoon]

Hops should never be taken by anyone on antidepressants. (It's in a lot of sleep blends.)

Pennyroyal, false unicorn root, black cohosh, blue cohosh, and even catnip should never be taken by a pregnant woman, as they can cause miscarriages.

[Tanya]

foxglove and valerian... not good for thoese with heart problesm.. also there's a large list to be avoided by the pregnant. Black cotosh comes to mind... its stimulates contractions.

[Gracecat]

St John's renders oral birth control useless I believe. It also inhibits clotting so if you are looking towards surgery, stop use at least a week before. (That comes from a local herbalist so don't quote me before doing a bit of research into that)

Raspberry leaf is good overall but don't drink the stuff daily if you're pregnant until you're in your late third trimester. It strengthens uterine muscles but it also can induce contractions.

ANY mint (including pennyroyal) will cause contractions but I checked with my OB on this one and Peppermint is ok in tea or flavorings but do stay away from the essential oils. We don't get that much from general peppermint flavorings but the EOs regularly used could be quite different.

An important factor in determining unsafe herbs is that it varies from individual to individual. Sorrel is a a common winter herb for soups and such. And it has definite advantages but it can also be deadly for the right or wrong person. http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/8513/31402/348971.html?d=dmtContent for example gives a healthy understanding in the knowledge that any herb can go either way.

http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/8513/31402/346469.html?d=dmtContent
As noted here, Chamomile can cause upset stomachs if taken excessively. And that's one of the safest things out there.

I've asked two gynecologists during all three of my pregnancies about herbs that should be avoided. They understood I was talking about very basic very safe common herbs, chamomile, peppermint, rose leaves, hibiscus.... standard herbal tea 101 stuff. You'll find that on literally any herb will have a claim to avoid it during pregnancy. And from my experiences and the doctor's agreement, as long as you're not quaffing it down by the gallons, a cup of your favorite should be fine in the morning or evening.

As a general standard, I have stepped back from my feverfew and valerian intake completely however :).

I'd suggest researching any herb you're going to take on a routine basis because each and every one of them can react with a current health condition. (You wouldn't want to take anything that has had rare adverse affects and causes kidney stones if you've had them in the past naturally)

[mothwench]

So Im making a list of herbs that can have an adverse effect.

Generally on perscribed medicines, but also wanting any so called side effects, or herbs that dont mix together.

So far I have -

St Johns Wort
Enchicea
Milk Thisle
what's bad or adverse about milk thistle? :huh:

as for your list, so far i've had odd experiences with sage. :shaker:

[Gracecat]

Milk thistle is one of those that's normally ok, it's good for most livers. But if you have pre-existing liver problems then it may react opposite the desired effects.

[teishabee]

Milk thistle and the contreception pill dont mix, It stops it from working.

[mothwench]

oh! :foh: well that's useful to know. :graduate: ta very much for the info.

[Meadhbh]

If you look here they have a good lists of herbs and what you should watch out for : http://www.personalhealthzone.com/herbsafety.html

[BlueMoon13]

Also-don't use licorice if you're pregnant or have high blood pressure.

[teishabee]

Just read that kelp isnt suppose to be good for people with high blood pressure also.

[innocent]

its not really an herb but grapefruit can have nasty reactions with certain medications. So use with caution if your doing potion work that contains grapefruit.

[Sev]

So Im making a list of herbs that can have an adverse effect.

Generally on perscribed medicines, but also wanting any so called side effects, or herbs that dont mix together.

So far I have -

St Johns Wort
Enchicea
Milk Thisle

Any -- ANY -- medicinal herb can have adverse effects. The list of side-effects, contraindications, and synergistic reactions is very large. There -are- books available out there which list known side effects/contraindications/interactions, and you can get 'em at your local Borders or what-have-you pretty cheap.

[Sev]

Pennyroyal, false unicorn root, black cohosh, blue cohosh, and even catnip should never be taken by a pregnant woman, as they can cause miscarriages.

Unless, of course, this is the effect that you're hoping for.

[Misteria]

Great idea, I will see if I can find any info for ya
Please share your list, it could be helpful to all of us :)

[Astara Seague]

St johns wort also makes you sensitive to the sunlight

[banondraig]

Unless, of course, this is the effect that you're hoping for.

Pennyroyal should be avoided anyway, unless you know exactly what you are doing, as it is highly poisonous.

[Kylie]

Ginseng can cause irritability and and basically just "wind you up" in a similar but more dangerous (when taken orally, it's easy to take too much) way as caffeine. I've also read that you should definitely not take ginseng when taking oral acne medications, but i'm not sure why that is.

[iceskater12]

If you look here they have a good lists of herbs and what you should watch out for : http://www.personalhealthzone.com/herbsafety.html


I'm so glad I looked that this site, I didn't know that chamomile was canceling out my medication for my epilspy. :hairred:

I'll have to be more carefull from now on. :thumbsup:

[princeether]

Herbs that contain natural MAO inhibitors, such as Syrian Rue, Yage, Passiflora, St. Johns Wort and Yohimbe, or any plant containing harmala alkaloids, should never be taken with SSRI anti-depressants, as this can cause Serotonin Syndrome.

[teishabee]

Major warning slippery elm affects most drugs.

[Raven Reed]

This site often lets one know what herbs interact with what meds, as well as often listing studies that have shown promise or cast doubt on a particular use of certain herbs.

http://medlineplus.gov/

[brymble]

kava-kava. While I have definately benefitted from it's short-term use, used long-term or in high doses it can be habit-forming and damage the liver. Not that I wouldn't recommend it's use for either medicinal or ritual purposes. Just be smart about it, don't take it if you're on anti-biotics, or other meds that are rough on the liver, or if you drink heavily. And be smart and moderate with its use.

[JadeAmber]

w:lol:ell you did ask a difficult question .....as the answer even with St John's Wort isn't straight forward

It depends on the type of medicine you are taking, quantity taken other medical history etc

It depends how indepth you want to get

This is true and even mixing it with alchohol can have an adverse effect on people.

[Ceilidh]

What's wrong with echinacea?

[Raivynne]

What's wrong with echinacea?



Echinacea, a North American wildflower, contains a variety of biologically active substances.

Claims: Echinacea is said to stimulate the immune system. When taken at the start of a cold, it is said to shorten the duration of cold symptoms. Well-designed studies have not supported this effect. Topical preparations are used to promote wound healing.

Adverse effects: Most adverse effects are mild and transitory; they include dizziness, fatigue, headache, and GI symptoms. No other adverse effects are known. Theoretically, echinacea is contraindicated in patients with autoimmune disorders, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, TB, and organ transplants because it may stimulate T cells. Echinacea inhibits some cytochrome P-450 enzymes and stimulates others; it can therefore potentially interact with drugs metabolized by the same enzymes (eg, anabolic steroids, azole antifungals, methotrexate Some Trade Names
RHEUMATREX
Click for Drug Monograph
). Allergic reactions are possible in patients with pollen allergies.

http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec22/ch331/ch331j.html


I'm currently enrolled in a diploma program for Western Herbalism. Echinacea is considered to be a generally SAFE herb for use by almost anyone. I would recommend that if you are taking medication, are pregnant, nursing, etc and are considering using herbs that you consult a local herbalist in your region. They will be familiar with all the plants in your area and can advise you to use them safely. Most herbalists agree for most of the common plants, but each herbalist will vary on their opinions depending on their experience. It is definitely recommended that you do research as well, and don't just take their word for it. :) I will attach some good links from my teacher, who has been practicing for over 25 years. Using general google search is a BAD idea! If you don't know what you're looking for you can get all kinds of inaccurate information.

http://herbnet.com (http://www.herbnet.com)

http://herbmed.org (http://www.herbmed.org)
This site is sort of technical, it has case studies and such, if you're into that kind of thing.

http://www.merck.com

http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/comindx.htm

Any of these will give you general information on the herb, lore, history, uses, recipes, contraindications, etc. Some are more useful than others. They are all very user-friendly, with search options.

http://www.plants.usda.gov
this one is good for general plant info, cultivation, where it grows, etc

ETA: I'm not an herbalist, YET, but I wanted to share my experience/information from my teacher. Please do your research! :D I also take Echinacea myself for sinus infections, I have pretty bad allergies, and have had no noticeable side effects from using it. But please keep in mind your own situation and comfort level before ingesting herbs. :)

[Twilight Siren]

So Im making a list of herbs that can have an adverse effect.

Generally on perscribed medicines, but also wanting any so called side effects, or herbs that dont mix together.

So far I have -

St Johns Wort
Enchicea
Milk Thisle

Yeah, I've never had even the slightest side effects from any of those, but I don't drink or smoke, and only ever take non-prescription acid-reducers.



Ginseng can cause irritability and and basically just "wind you up" in a similar but more dangerous (when taken orally, it's easy to take too much) way as caffeine. I've also read that you should definitely not take ginseng when taking oral acne medications, but i'm not sure why that is.

It may have something to do with possible hormonal effects, but don't take my word on it.

I've also read that women shouldn't consume Ginseng on a regular basis, long term because of "loosening of the breasts" . . . .yeah, that's an actual quote!! . . .not sure if it's literal, or is some sort of terminology that Im unaware of . . . .but it's worth using caution!! . . . .It's more of a "man's herb" I guess.

[~Runa~]

Deadly Nightshade or Belladonna was always used in cosmetics. Women painted their eyes with this poison and some of the eye make-up was full of belladonna as it was supposed to make them look sparkly.

I read a novel recently about a fictional queen who used belladonna to make herself look young and I checked it out later, doing some research. It was common to use Atropa Belladonna for centuries by women, especially ladies and princesses.

I think it's still used today in some products that mention it.

[DiscordianKitten]

^^^ Our adoration of all things sparkly will be the death of us.

[HecticEclectic]

I have to agree about Echinacea and mention that to an even stronger degree, Goldenseal can upset the GI tract. These are powerful antibiotic and antiviral medications, and should be used with caution. Taking probiotics before, during, and after their use can help replenish the natural GI flora that is depleted while on these meds. I think that sometimes folks aren't sure quite how/when to take them. A friend of mine was taking an Echinacea capsule once a day with her multivitamin...

Overuse of antibiotics can result in C. Diff - clostridium difficile which is a very serious and potentially fatal disease. I had never heard of it until a loved one contracted and ultimately died from it. Antibiotics are wonderful drugs, but their use should be only as needed and they should be taken with great care. Protect your tummies!

[svehex]

Almost every herb can have an adverse effect on someone

[Landra]

All medicinal herbs, and in fact every organic substance on Earth can have an adverse effect on your health, depending on your individual biochemistry, your medical history, medications, dosages, frequency of use, and so on.

Even water is toxic in large doses (we're talking gallons daily, people who have OCD that manifests in drinking water every twelve seconds can have problems), because it actually thins your blood and other fluids in the body and can result in mineral deficiencies because the more water you have to eliminate the more minerals go with it.

Some of the top herbs to be wary of:
Atropa Belladonna- Raises the heart rate to dangerous levels.

Aconitum Napellus- Aconite, lowers the strength and rate of the pulse, and will stop it in high enough doses.

Amanita muscaria- Agaric Mushroom, causes vivid hallucinatory experiences, followed frequently by death.

Digitalis purpurea- Foxglove, strengthens the heart muscle, but can also cause cardiac arrest.

Cannabis Sativa- Marijuana, has powerful effects on the mind and emotions, but can cause depression, usually destroys motivation, and always decreases intelligence. Some research suggests permanent brain damage and chromosomal damage, but this has not been proven conclusively.

Nerium oleander- Oleander is commonly used decoratively, but merely touching the sap to your skin can cause a systemic toxic reaction.

Datura stramonium- Datura, commonly known as Jimson Weed, and occasionally ingested for its psychedelic and hallucinatory effects, but it is well known for producing "bad trips" and frightening hallucinations, often resulting in death by cardiac arrest.

This list is very short, it includes only plants which are routinely deadly or permanently debilitating to those who are exposed to them, and of those only a small few that are commonly known and that the average person stands a high chance of actually encountering.

I have not included exotic lethal substances, or commonly available toxins that may reasonably be used safely without extensive training, such as Wormwood (which I actually have at home).

I may post again later with some of those, and I'd be happy to dig through my references for information on specific plants.

May you find what you seek,
Landra