Herbal Medications. Their Uses, and Interactions.
List of Herbal Medications:
Ginseng is used to treat a variety of conditions, including erectile dysfunction, hepatitis C, postmenopausal symptoms, diabetes, and hypertension. Anti-diabetic medicines interact with ginseng, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia, and immunosuppressants interact with ginseng, reducing its effectiveness. When used with coffee, it can cause tachycardia, palpitations, and hypertension.
Glucosamine can be found naturally in shellfish shells or synthesised in the lab. Cells in the joint produce synovial fluid and cartilage as a result of this. It has anti-inflammatory properties that target the joints, making it beneficial for osteoarthritis. By interacting with antiplatelets and anticoagulants, it can enhance their effectiveness.
Hawthorn is used to treat heart failure, angina, kidney issues, and hypertension. PDE 5s, nitrates, antihypertensives, and digoxin can all be affected by this.
Kava Kava can help with anxiety, stress, and muscle relaxation. When coupled with benzodiazepines, it can exacerbate the effects or symptoms of CNS depression, such as weariness or drowsiness. Kava kava can diminish the effects of levodopa when taken together.
Licorice is used to treat peptic ulcers, pneumonia, sore throats, viral hepatitis, and eczema. Antihypertensive drugs may be less effective as a result of it. When used with corticosteroids and diuretics, its deleterious effects can be increased.
Milk thistle is used to treat cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, gallbladder problems, excessive cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. It has the potential to interact with anti-diabetic medications by increasing their hypoglycemia effect.
Peppermint is used to treat nausea, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, muscle and nerve pain, cold symptoms, and headaches. It has the potential to interact with cyclosporine, worsening the drug’s side effects.
Saw Palmetto is used to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy, chronic pelvic pain, migraine headaches, reduced libido, and alopecia. Saw palmetto can reduce the effectiveness of estrogen-containing contraceptives while boosting the effect of finasteride.
St. John’s wort is used to treat nerve pain, sadness, sleep problems, and wound healing. St. John’s Wort can interact with antidepressants, birth control pills, cyclosporine, HIV medicines, digoxin, calcium channel blockers, anticoagulants, and anti-seizure medications.
Turmeric is used to treat burns, peptic ulcers, gallbladder stones, inflammation, and some cancers. Turmeric can make you bleed more if you take it with anticoagulants.
Valerian is used to treat insomnia, anxiety, migraines, sadness, irregular heartbeats, and tremors. Valerian can cause CNS depression when combined with alcohol or benzodiazepines. Any of these natural remedies may interact with certain prescription medications. As a result, prior to using herbal supplements, it’s vital to comprehend them.