Herbs adverse effects

DNLM 1. Herbs--adverse effects. 2. Plants, Medicinal-adverse effects. 3. 

Although herbs have been used for thousands of years, most of what we know has been from observation. Most herbs have not been scientifically studied for safety and efficacy (effectiveness). Much of what we know about herbal therapy has come from Europe particularly Germany. During the last several decades, European scientists have studied botanical plants in ways that seek to identify how they work at the cellular level, what chemicals are most effective, and adverse effects related to their use. Germany lias compiled information on 300 herbs and made recommendations for their use. 

There have been no formal studies of the toxicity of passionflower, but adverse effects have not been reported. There is one report of a case of inflammatory vasculitis associated with a preparation of passionflower (Smith et al. 1993). Like other herbs in this category, its putative benzodiazepine action contraindicates its combined use with other CNS depressants. 

The full version of this table is available from the National Auxiliary Publications Service (NAPS). (See NAPS document no. 05609for33pages of supplementary material. Toorder, contact NAPS, c/o Microfiche Publications, 248 Hempstead Tpke., West Hempstead, NY 11552.) Adverse effects of multiple-herb therapies are not included. Case reports do not always provide adequate evidence that the remedy in question was labeled correctly. As a result, it is possible that some ofthe adverse events reportedforaspecific herb were actually due to a different, unidentified botanical or another adulterant or contaminant. 

This herb has been part of folk medicine since pre-Christian times (247). It has been primarily used as a sedative and for the treatment of epilepsy. Consistent with this use, this herb reportedly can increase synaptic concentrations of GABA (248). GABA has also been isolated from Valeria and extracts of Valeria have been reported to bind to GABA receptors in rat brain. Although Valeria has been reported to be active in rodent models of depression, there have been no efficacy trials in humans. The potential adverse effects of Valeria include the sensation of strangeness ( 247) and several cases of liver damage (e.g., central lobular necrosis) (249). Mutagenicity in bacteria has been reported and attributed to unstable, water-insoluble valepotriates ( 238). As a result of these reports, many, but not all, commercial preparations of Valeria use water-soluble extracts standardized for their content of valeric acid. 

Adverse effects have been documented for a variety of dietary supplements however, under-reporting of adverse effects is likely since consumers do not routinely report, and do not know how to report, an adverse effect if they suspect that the event was caused by consumption of a supplement. Furthermore, chemical analysis is rarely performed on the products involved, including those products that are described in the literature as being linked to an adverse event. This leads to confusion about whether the primary ingredient or an adulterant caused the adverse effect. In some cases, the chemical constituents of the herb can clearly lead to toxicity. Some of the herbs that should be used cautiously or not at all are listed in Table 64-1. 

Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. Lei Gong Teng (Yellow vine) (root) Tripchilorolide, celastrol, triptein, wilfordine, triptophenolide, triptonide, triptolide, tripdiolide, triptolidenol, tripchlorolide, triptolide, tripdioltonide, trihydroxytriptolide, triptolide.33-241-390-431-443 This herb is toxic with adverse effects on gastrointestinal tract. Antifertility effect on male, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, treat cancer, antirheumatoid arthritis, suppressive effects. 

The LD50 of Astragalus is approximately 40 g/kg when administered by intraperitoneal injection. Overall it is very safe and doses as high as 100 g/kg of the raw herb have been given to rats with no adverse effect. 

Continuing in the tradition of the acclaimed first edition. Pharmacodynamic Basis of Herbal Medicine, Second Edition examines in extensive detail the physiologic effects of complementary and alternative therapies, foods, supplements, vitamins, and traditional herbal remedies. This encyclopedic volume considers the site, mode, and mechanism of action to explain the desired and adverse effects and interactions of each herb, drug, and food. 

Adverse reactions affecting the user s mental state have been associated with hallucinogenic drugs, and it is likely that Salvia divinorum could produce similar reactions. Since few scientific studies of the effects of Salvia on human beings have been reported, there is very little known about adverse effect related to this herb. Howev-... 

Herbs that may T risk of theophylline adverse effects ... 

Herbs that may T adverse effects of lipid-lowering agents ... 

Many dozens of herbal supplements are available to be purchased over-the-counter. Discussion of all these herbal supplements is beyond the scope of this article. Listed below is a brief discussion of each of the more commonly available and used supplements, including highlights of known active constituents, pharmacology, dosing, supporting clinical literature, adverse effects, and interactions with conventional medications. The known and potential drug-herb interactions are summarized in Table... 

Any herb may be unsafe or cause serious adverse effects when used incorrectly. The herbs listed in Table 3, however, have been more commonly reported to cause serious or life-threatening effects. Many are on the FDA s official list of unsafe herbs. 

The Pharmacokinetics section of each chapter covers absorption, tissue distribution, elimination, and body fluid concentrations. Such pharmacokinetic information is usually not included in other sources and may be useful in forensic investigations or in the clinical setting regarding use of the product in patients with renal or hepatic insufficiency. A section on Adverse Effects and Toxicity follows and includes detailed information on case reports of adverse reactions to the herb. The Interactions section includes discussions of interactions between the supplement and drugs or foods. The Reproduction section follows and is generally limited because of lack of information. Each chapter ends with a discussion of Regulatory Status of the product. The amount of information included in each of these sections varies according to availability. 

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