Health & Energy Newsletter

Herb and Drug Interactions

Herbs to Avoid in Pregnancy

Herbs to Use with Caution in Pregnancy

When using herbs, it is very important to tell your physician what you are taking. If they're unfamiliar with herb-med interaction, our staff would be happy to share information with them, as would most of the trained herbalists in this area. Some pharmacists are aware of possible interaction problems, but don't assume that they have this training. Herbology is a whole different field from pharmacology.

Many drugs slow or speed absorption of herbs and the herb dosage must be adjusted accordingly, so if you are on medication, if might be wise to consult someone trained in herbology. Health food stores clerks, while well meaning and possibly well read, do not have the background that you may need for advice.

There are also many instances in Chinese herbology where you would not combine one herb with another, such as Radix Glycyrrhizae (licorice) with Radix Euphorbiae or Ginseng (Ren Shen) with Rhizoma Trogopterum (Wu Ling Zhi). Using common prepared formulas will avoid some of these problems, but mixing many different herb formulas is unwise.

- Warfarin taken with ginseng, garlic, ginko, ginger and feverfew may result in unwanted bleeding

- Ginseng may interfere with the action of heart medications like digoxin.

- Echinacea and zinc, touted as immune system boosters, may negate the effects of cyclosporine and other immunosuppressants.

- Ginseng may cause headaches, tremor or even manic episodes if taken with the antidepressant phenelzine sulfate.

- St. John's Wort taken with a variety of psych meds can cause increased anxiety and agitation.

- The tannic acids in St. John's Wort, saw palmetto and even red wine may inhibit iron absorption, undermining the effects of anemia drugs.

- Semen Crotonis (Ba Dou)
- Semen Pharbitis (Quian Niu Zi)
- Radix Euphorbiae (Da Ji)
- Mylabris (Ban Mao)
- Radix Phytolaccae (Shang Lu) poke root
- Moshcus (She Xiang)
- Rhizoma Sparganii (Shan Ling)
- Rhizoma Zedoariae (Ezhu)
- Hirudo (Shui Zhi)
- Tabanus (Meng Chong)

These are examples of herbs that are pungent and warm in nature and have the function of activating Qi and Blood circulation and removing stasis. These herbs should be avoided in the earlier stages of pregnancy and whenever there is risk of miscarriage.

- Semen Persicae (Tao Ren) common in cold and sinus formulas

- Flos Carthami (Hong Hua) also in phlegm remedies

- Rhizoma and Radix Rhei (Da Huang) rhubarb found in many constipation remedies

- Fructus Aurantii (Zi Shi)

- Radix Aconiti (Fu Zhi) common in low back weakness formulas

- Rhizoma Zingiberis (Gan Jiang) dried ginger, used in many formulas

- Cortex Cinnamomi (Rou Gui) from cinnamon bark, common in asthma and kidney yang formulas and for cramps and lack of a period.