Patient's Use of Herbal Medicine

Question 1

Aloe Vera

Answer 1

Uses: Topically for skin lesions, especially burns, orally for GI irritation and constipation.

Interactions: Diarrhea caused by laxative effect may decrease absorption of other oral medications making those medications less effective for their purpose.

Question 2

Arnica

Answer 2

Common Uses: Sprains and strains, ecchymosis, osteoarthritis (only used topically or in homeopathic doses)

Interactions: none known

Question 3

Black Cohosh

Answer 3

Uses: Menopausal symptoms

Interactions: May potentiate liver toxicity with statins; may inhibit CYP450

Question 4

Cranberry

Answer 4

Uses: Urinary Tract Infection

Interactions: Delayed Clearing of anti-coagulants, anti-platelet medications; possible weak inhibition of CYP450

Info: contain salicylate and oxalate; may increase risk of oxalate kidney stones

Question 5

Echinacea

Answer 5

Use: Common cold, influenza, URI (orally). TOpically for boils and acne.

Interactions: Potential CYP450 inhibitor; immuno-suppresant drugs

Info: Patients with MS and autoimmune disease should avoid

Question 6

Feverfew

Answer 6

Use: Migraine prophylaxis

Interactions: augments effects of anti-coagulants, NSAIDs, anti-platelet medications, thrombolytics, potential CYP450 inhibitor

Info: Avoid in people sensitive to Asteraceae or Compositae family

Question 7

Ginger

Answer 7

Uses: Nausea, osteoarthritis, back pain

Interactions: augmentation of anti-coagulants, anti-platelets, some chemotherapy drugs

Info: Increases GI motility, lowers blood sugar, lowers BP

Question 8

Ginkgo

Answer 8

Common Uses: Alzheimer’s and other dementias, memory enhancement

Interactions: Augmentation of anti-coagulants, anti-platelet drugs, potential inhibitor of AND inducer of CYP450

Question 9

Hawthorn

Answer 9

Common Uses: Angina, heart failure, hypertension

Interactions: May potentiate anti-arrhythmics, inotropes, beta-blockers, and cardiac glycosides; contraindicated with ED drugs, nitrates

Question 10

Horse Chestnut Seed Extract

Answer 10

Uses: Chronic venous insufficiency, hemorrhoids, varicose veins

Interactions: Oral diabetic medications, protein-bound medications (amiodarone, phenytoin, warfarin); may increase lithium levels; may augment anti-coagulants and anti-platelet meds

Info: Diuretic; lowers blood sugar

Question 11

Licorice

Answer 11

Uses: Gastric or duodenal non-H. Pylori ulcer

Interactions: may reduce effectiveness of warfarin, premarin; may inhibit or potentiate CYP450

Info: Can cause hypokalemia

Question 12

Milk Thistle

Answer 12

Common Use: Liver disease

Interactions: in vitro inhibitor of CYP450

Info: Lowers blood sugar; lowers blood lipids in diabetics

Question 13

Saw Palmetto

Answer 13

Use: Benign prostatic hyperplasia

Interactions: decreased effectiveness of OCPs and estrogen; augmentation of anti-coagulants, anti-platelet meds

Question 14

St. John’s Wort

Answer 14

Uses: Mild to moderate depression

Interactions: Inducer of CYP450; reduced effectiveness of OCPs, alprazolam, digoxin, HAART, anti-clotting and anti-platelet meds, anticonvulsants, antidepressants

Info: Historically used topically to treat post-herpetic neuralgia

Question 15

Tea Tree Oil

Answer 15

Uses: mild to moderate acne, fungal infections

Interactions: none

Info: Toxic! Topical use only!