Glossary of Herbal Supplements - Herbs N-Z

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Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

This flowering plant has been used for centuries. It is used in gum, toothpaste, mouthwash, and tea. Research supports its effectiveness to relieve indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome.

Attention for Liver Disease: Avoid peppermint oil if you have liver damage or bile duct obstruction. Use peppermint tea in moderate amounts and with caution. Use under medical supervision if taking anti-rejection drugs, such as cyclosporine.

Safety Information: As a tea, it is likely safe when used in moderate amounts. Peppermint oil can be deadly at high doses. Side effects include skin, eye, and digestive tract irritation. Infants, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid.

Interactions: Do not use peppermint if taking cyclosporine or other anti-rejection medications.

Lab Notes: None reported.

Note: Peppermint oil – adults should never exceed 1 gram per kilogram of body weight. Read the safety information as there is a significant difference between peppermint leaf and oil.

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Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)

Reishi is a mushroom, making it both a food and a supplement. Has been found to be safe as a food source. Very little is known about its safety and efficacy as a higher dose supplement. Some purported but unproven uses include immune stimulation, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, inflammation, viral infections HIV, and fatigue management.

Safety Information: Very little available safety information. Reports of nausea, vomiting, GI upset, itching, dry nose and dry throat. No safety data available regarding children, pregnant or nursing mothers.

Interactions: May interact with immunosuppressants, anticoagulants and certain chemotherapy agents.

Lab Notes: May alter blood clotting tests results and lower blood pressure readings.

Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea)

Commonly called rose root, very little is known about this herb. Purported to combat fatigue and depression among other uses.

Safety Information: Very little available safety information. Reports of irritability and insomnia. Use very cautiously with bipolar disease since rhodiola may act as an antidepressant. No safety data available regarding children, pregnant or nursing mothers.

Interactions: None reported.

Lab Notes: None reported.

S

SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine)

The human body produces the chemical SAMe. The body makes all it needs and is rarely deficient. There is not much known about SAMe supplementation. Initial research suggests possible benefit for those with osteoarthritis. Evidence does not support other purported uses including depression, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and muscle pain. SAMe is very expensive and unstable.

Safety Information: Headache, upset stomach, flatulence, nausea and diarrhea are common side effects. Anyone with bipolar disorder should avoid SAMe.

Interactions: There is a risk of serotonin syndrome if taken with antidepressant medications.

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)

In the U.S., this berry was listed as an official drug in the beginning of the 20th century. Saw palmetto has been studied extensively and evidence points strongly to its effectiveness for prostate problems, particularly for the relief of symptoms from benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).

Safety Information: Saw Palmetto may increase bleeding risk. Testicular soreness, tender breasts and sexual dysfunction were reported by a few men. Most common side effects are gastric problems. Pregnant and nursing women should avoid. No conclusive safety information is available for children.

Interactions: May interact with anticoagulant drugs.

Lab Notes: May alter liver function test results. If taking blood thinners, such as warfarin, may interfere with coagulation results.

Note: Saw Palmetto comes in many forms. Symptom relief may not occur for several months.

Schisandra (Schisandra chinensi and S. sphenanthera)

Animal studies suggest possible benefit for liver disease. No significant human studies have been conducted and very little is known about schisandra.

Safety Information: Probably safe for general use. May cause a variety of gastroenterological complaints or central nervous system depression. The safety for children, pregnant and nursing mothers is not established.

Interactions: In lab studies, showed potential to interact with any cytochrome p-450 metabolized substances (see About Cytochrome P-450 below). However, no drug interactions in people have been reported.

Soy (Glycine max)

Soybeans have been used as a dietary staple for over 5000 years. Soy is purported to help many conditions, such as high cholesterol and menopause symptoms. Research supports soy’s effectiveness for lowering LDL cholesterol for people with LDLs greater than 160. Soy may be effective for other conditions, but research has not drawn any strong conclusions for or against the use of soy. Claims about soy’s effectiveness in relieving hepatitis symptoms have not been substantiated.

Safety Information: Soy has a good safety record. Gastrointestinal complaints, such as bloating and flatulence are the most common. Soy may lower thyroid levels, especially in infants. Safety has not been established for children, pregnant or nursing mothers.

Interactions: There is still controversy about the phytoestrogen properties in soy. For this reason, soy is not recommended for anyone with hormone-sensitive malignancies or those taking drugs, such as tamoxifen, to prevent disease recurrence.

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

This herb has been studied extensively. Strong evidence of St. John’s wort’s effectiveness for treating mild to moderate depression, although these studies have been called into question. No other purported uses for St. John’s wort have been proven.

Note: Depression is a serious illness. Seek professional advice before using this or any herbal substance.

Safety Information: Fatigue and gastric distress are the most common complaints. May cause sun sensitivity, especially at high doses. Bipolar patients should avoid. May cause sexual dysfunction, skin reactions, anxiety, dizziness, headache, and dry mouth. Safety has not been established for children, pregnant or nursing mothers.

Interactions: May interact with any cytochrome p-450 metabolized substances (see About Cytochrome P-450 below). The list of drugs that St. John’s wort may interact with is much longer than what is included in this glossary. The FDA has a specific warning about using St. John’s wort and indinavir, antiretrovirals, and other drugs. Do not take St. John’s wort if you are taking antidepressants, protease inhibitors, NRTI’s, or immunosuppressive medications. There have been case reports of organ transplant rejection by those taking cyclosporine.

T

Thymus Extract

The thymus gland plays an important role in our immune system. The rationale behind the use of thymus extract is that this will stimulate the immune system. There is no evidence to support this or other uses of thymus extract.

Safety Information: There are a number of safety concerns about the use of thymus extract. The most major of these is that since thymus extract is a cow product, there is risk of contamination, particularly Mad Cow disease. If you use thymus extract, choose a brand that is certified as free from infection.

Turmeric/Curcumin (Curcuma longa )

Curcumin is derived from turmeric which is sometimes used to flavor foods. In small amounts as a source of food, it is generally considered to be safe. The root or rhizome is the plant part that is used medicinally. In Chinese medicine it is used to alleviate stomach upset, arthritic pain and “low energy.” In lab and animal studies, curcumin has been found to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-tumor properties. Whether this translates to humans is unknown. Research suggests curcumin may relieve heartburn. More research may reveal its value in treating other conditions.

Safety Information: Patients with gallstones or any gall bladder obstruction should avoid curcumin. Should be avoided by patients undergoing chemotherapy. If taken in high doses or for prolonged time periods, curcumin may cause upset stomach. May cause hair loss and weaken the immune system. Pregnant and nursing women should avoid curcumin. Not enough evidence to recommend safe use for children.

Interactions: May interact with any cytochrome p-450 metabolized substances, but information is based on labs studies. No animal or human information. (see About Cytochrome P-450 below).

Lab Notes: May alter liver function tests and blood-clotting times. May lower blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose levels.

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Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

Research points to the efficacy of valerian for treating insomnia.

Safety Information: May cause daytime sleepiness. Use cautiously when driving or operating machinery. May cause headaches, dizziness, constipation, gastric complaints, nervousness, blurred vision, insomnia, light-headedness, tightness in the chest, restlessness and slowing or irregular heartbeat. Symptoms of withdrawal may occur if stopping after long-term use of valerian. Safety has not been established for children, pregnant or nursing mothers.

Interactions: May interact with muscle relaxants, sedatives, antianxiety, pain, antiseizure, antidepressant, or other drugs or supplements that cause drowsiness.

Note: Valerian may need to be taken on a regular basis for at least 4 weeks before results are evident.

About Cytochrome P-450 (CYP-450)

CYP-450 refers to a group of enzymes that play an important role in drug metabolism. Enzymes are substances your body makes and metabolism refers to the conversion of chemicals into something your body can use. Certain diseases, particularly a poorly functioning liver, can interfere with drug metabolism that relies on CYP-450. This means that you could get too little or too much of any of the drugs that interact with each other.

Drugs and substances that are metabolized by the same enzymes can compete with one another for metabolism. This means drugs could be toxic rather than therapeutic. It is also possible that what substance or drug you are taking will not work. There are hundreds of drugs and dietary substances that can interact with any CYP-450 metabolized substances.

Just because a substance has the potential to interact with another substance does not mean that you should not take it or that something bad will happen. It means the potential is there and you should talk about this with your medical provider. Your pharmacist is another resource to consult. There might be safer ways to take certain combinations of substances, such as taking one in the morning and another at night or not taking different substances within 2 hours of each other.

Here is a partial list of some drugs, foods, and dietary supplements that use CYP-450 for metabolism:

• NSAIDs, anesthesia, pain medications, protease inhibitors, non-nucleoside analogues, hormones, methadone, antibiotics, antifungals, antihistamines, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, antianxiety, sedatives, sleeping medications, lipid-lowering agents (statins), transplant anti-rejection drugs, anti-parasite drugs, diabetic, cardiac, gastrointestinal drugs, chemotherapy agents, drugs containing ergot, methadone and Viagra.

• Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, caffeine, cannabinoids (marijuana), cauliflower, charbroiled meats, garlic, grapefruit juice, green tea, star fruit and tobacco.

• Black cohosh, bloodroot, cat’s claw, chamomile, chaparral, chasteberry, echinacea, ginkgo, ginseng, goldenseal, hops, milk thistle, oregano, peppermint, red clover, schisandra, soy, St. John’s wort, wild cherry, and yucca.