Medicine/therapies

Asian ginseng

Overall health; avoid pregnancy, high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes; may affect bleeding and digoxin.

Aloe vera

Burns and skin irritation; internal use can cause cramps, diarrhea, electrolyte problems, and kidney damage.

Cayenne

Pain and cardiovascular health; causes a heat sensation and may increase bleeding.

Comfrey

Wound healing; external use only because it can cause liver damage internally.

Echinacea

Boosts immunity and helps respiratory infections; avoid with ragweed allergies.

Evening primrose oil

PMS and hot flashes; can increase seizure risk.

Ginger

Nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness; may increase bleeding.

Ginkgo

Memory and circulation; can cause bleeding.

Goldenseal

Infections and diarrhea; can affect blood sugar and heart medications.

Kava

Anxiety, stress, and insomnia; causes sedation and can cause liver damage.

Lavender

Relaxation and sleep; can cause sedation and increase effects of alcohol and sedatives.

St. John's wort

Depression, anxiety, and insomnia; has many drug interactions; do not take with antidepressants.

Tea tree oil

Acne and athlete's foot; external use only; do not swallow.

Valerian

Insomnia, anxiety, and stress; causes sedation.

Valerian + barbiturates

Can cause excessive sedation.

Ginseng + digoxin

Ginseng may interfere with digoxin.

St. John's wort + antidepressants

Avoid taking them together.

Chamomile essential oil

Pain, stomach spasms, stress, and insomnia; may increase bleeding; avoid during pregnancy.

Eucalyptus essential oil

Respiratory problems; can lower blood sugar and cause breathing problems in children.

Lavender essential oil

Insomnia, stress, and depression; causes sedation; avoid alcohol.

Lemon essential oil

Colds, flu, and mental stimulation; can cause sun sensitivity.

Peppermint essential oil

Acne and stomach upset; can worsen GERD; avoid in infants and small children.

Rosemary essential oil

Mental stimulation and pain; avoid pregnancy and seizure disorders; high doses can cause seizures.

Tea tree essential oil

Antiseptic and skin problems; do not swallow; mainly topical.

Chiropractic therapy contraindications

Acute myelopathy, fractures, dislocations, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and malignancy.

Acute myelopathy

Contraindication to chiropractic manipulation.

Fractures

Contraindication to chiropractic manipulation.

Dislocations

Contraindication to chiropractic manipulation.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Contraindication to chiropractic manipulation.

Osteoporosis

Contraindication to chiropractic manipulation.

Malignancy

Contraindication to chiropractic manipulation.

Massage contraindications

Acute back pain, phlebitis, thrombosis, and infectious skin diseases.

Acute back pain

Avoid massage until evaluated.

Phlebitis

Inflammation of a vein; massage is contraindicated.

Thrombosis

Blood clot; do not massage.

Infectious skin diseases

Avoid massage over infectious skin conditions.

Bruises or swelling

Have the area evaluated by a physician before massage.

Aromatherapy and asthma

Use caution because asthma symptoms may become exaggerated.

Aromatherapy and atopic eczema

Do not apply essential oils to the skin.