dietary supplements + herbal

Black Cohosh

helps with menopause and benign prostatic hyperplasia

Black Cohosh Warning

do not use with selective estrogen receptor modulators (those with breast cancer) or with liver disease

Co Q-10

improves heart health

Co Q-10 Warning

do not use with Warfarin

Cranberry

can reduce incidence of UTIs

Cranberry Warning

will not treat existing UTIs

Echinacea

stimulates immune system, treat viral infections and skin issues. VITAMIN C

Echinacea Warning

do not use if you have an autoimmune disease

Feverfew

suppresses migraines

Feverfew Warning

increased risk of bleeding

Flaxseed

helps with constipation and GI motility

Flaxseed Warning

reduces drug absorption

Garlic

reduce triglycerides and LDL cholesterol

Garlic Warning

can reduce blood pressure and has anticoagulation properties

Ginger root

helps with dizziness

Ginger root Warning

has anticoagulation properties

Gingko biloba

improve age-related memory impairment

Gingko biloba Warning

increased blood flow, anticoagulation properties

Glucosamine

treats osteoarthritis

Glucosamine Warning

caution with shellfish allergy

Green tea

weight loss, anti-cancer

Green tea Warning

caffeinated, don’t take if you have liver disease

Probiotics

treats IBS, diarrhea, prevents C.diff and H.pylori

Probitoics Warning

can get rid of good bacteria

Saw Palmetto

benign prostate hyperplasia

Saw Palmetto Warning

Pregnancy Category X

Ma-Huang (Ephedra)

stimulant, weight loss

Ma-Huang (Ephedra) Warning

can cause MI and stroke

Kava-Kava

used for anxiety

Kava-Kava Warning

can cause liver damage

Comfrey

helps with back pain

St. John’s wort

induces CYP 450 enzymes and accelerates metabolism of antidepressants

Ginseng

improves sexual performance, good for male fertility

Valerian

helps you sleep, similar to melatonin

DSHEA (1994)

things can be marketed as dietary supplements rather than drugs if it hasnt met FDA approval

Acetaminophen

can cause hepatotoxicity