I have been doing some research on side effects of herbs and some of them contain some very serious side effects. Now of course there are some of you that are trying these herbal supplements but we don’t know the long term effects. It just seems to me that we are taking a pretty big risk using some of these products considering the investments we have made. Here are a few examples of actual documented cases and one of many of the web sites that carry warnings. I would highly recommend doing your own research. Here is one of many web sites I found.
http://www.personalhealthzone.com/herbsafety.html
Oregon grape contains berberine and side effects can result from high dosages including gastrointestinal discomfort, dyspnea, lowered blood pressure, flu-like symptoms, and cardiac damage. Berberine usage should be avoided in pregnancy, due to potential for causing uterine contractions and miscarriage, and in jaundiced neonates because of its bilirubin displacement properties.
Devil's Claw has been associated with documented reports of potential interactions with warfarin. Avoid during pregnancy. Mild gastrointestinal distress at higher dosages.
- Newall CA, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines: A guide for Health-care Professionals.London: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996:296.26.
Goldenseal is a potent plant and must be used with care. Do not take on a daily basis for more than a week at a time. In high doses, goldenseal can irritate the skin, mouth, throat, and vagina. It may cause nausea and diarrhea. If any of these develop, stop taking immediately.
- Murray, M. -- The Pill Book Guide to Natural Medicines: Vitamins, Minerals, Nutritional Supplements, Herbs, and Other Natural Products. -- Bantam, 2002. 541, 681. Do not use during pregnancy; it may stimulate the uterus. Do not use goldenseal without consulting a physician if you have had heart disease, diabetes, glaucoma, a stroke, or high blood pressure. It stimulates the heart muscle, and the result is increased blood pressure. Do not give goldenseal to children under two. Start with small doses for older children and adults.
- Murray, M. -- The Pill Book Guide to Natural Medicines: Vitamins, Minerals, Nutritional Supplements, Herbs, and Other Natural Products. -- Bantam, 2002. 541, 681.
Echinacea purpurea might influence fetal development in humans also, because they may interfere with embrional angiogenesis, and should not be recommended for pregnant women.
- Folia Histochem Cytobiol. 2007;45 Suppl 1:S35-9.
Yellow dock may include excessive urination, nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting, skin eruptions, kidney damage (blood in urine, decreased urine flow, swelling of hands and feet). Excessive use of yellow dock may lead to laxative-like side effects such as stomach cramping and diarrhea. Yellow dock also contains oxalic acid, an acidic phytochemical. Oxalic acid reportedly can interfere with normal calcium levels in the blood, leading to complications with blood coagulation. Yellow dock has caused dermatitis in livestock that have eaten it. There have been several cases of animal deaths from oxalate poisoning. - Panciera RJ; Martin T; Burrows GE; Taylor DS; Rice LE. Acute oxalate poisoning attributable to ingestion of curly dock (Rumex crispus) in sheep. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1990. 196(12):1981.
Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianesis) is a medicinal plant from the Amazon commonly used to treat disorders such as arthritis, gastritis and osteoarthritis. The mechanism of cat's claw appears to be as an inhibitor of TNFalpha and antioxidant. Understanding the processes in osteoarthritis may facilitate and clarify the potential role of cat's claw as a complementary therapy to assist in the reduction of pro-inflammatory mediators and effectors. Use caution if you are using anti-inflammatory medications.
- Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2007 Feb;13(1):25-8. Epub 2006 Dec 13. -- Cat's claw: an Amazonian vine decreases inflammation in osteoarthritis. -- Hardin SR.
Not recommended for children, women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or are trying to become pregnant.
- Murray, M. -- The Pill Book Guide to Natural Medicines: Vitamins, Minerals, Nutritional Supplements, Herbs, and Other Natural Products. -- Bantam, 2002. 586.
Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) Side-effects can result from high dosages and may include gastrointestinal discomfort, dyspnea, lowered blood pressure, flu-like symptoms, and cardiac damage. Berberine usage should be avoided in pregnancy, due to potential for causing uterine contractions and miscarriage, and in jaundiced neonates because of its bilirubin displacement properties.
- Birdsall TC, Kelly GS. -- Berberine: Therapeutic potential of an alkaloid found in several medicinal plants. -- Altern Med Rev 1997;2:94-103.
Indian gooseberry seems safe for most people when consumed in amounts found in foods. There isn’t enough information to know if it is safe for in medicinal amounts, which are larger.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of Indian gooseberry during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.