Toxic herbs

In this combination, the characteristic side effects or toxicity of a single herb can be minimized or neutralized by another. This combination strategy is often used when processing harsh and toxic herbs. For example, the toxic effects of Ban Xia [Pinelliae rhizoma) can be reduced by Sheng Jiang [Zingiberis rhizoma recens). 

Da Zao is sweet and warm, and enters the Spleen meridian. It can tonify Qi as well as blood, thus strengthening the foundation of life. In a formula for driving out water, Da Zao is used to tonify the Spleen and protect the Stomach from violent, cathartic and diuretic toxic herbs. 

Chuan Lian Zi is very bitter and cold. It can intensively drain the Liver-fire and direct the Liver-Qi downwards. It is selected in formulas for treating syndromes where Liver-fire flares up and Liver-Qi movement is disturbed. The disorder is manifested as irritability, distension in the hypochondria, insomnia, quick temper, red eyes, headache, red tongue with a yellow coating and a forceful, wiry and rapid pulse. Because Chuan Lian Zi is very bitter and cold, it easily injures the Stomach. This herb should not be used for a long period of time or in large dosage, because it is a toxic herb. Overdose may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dyspnea and arrhythmia. 

Because the herbs that expel wind, damp and cold are mostly warm, pungent and bitter, and have a drying nature, they should be used with caution in patients who suffer from deficiency of Yin, blood or body fluids. Caution when using toxic herbs ... 

A primary function of the liver and kidneys is to detoxify and clear poisonous substances from the body. For these reasons, they are often the first to be affected by the use of toxic herbs. A number of reviews address the global... 

Yamell, E. 1999. Misunderstood toxic herbs. Altem. Complement. Ther. 5(Feb.) 6-ll. 

Lycorine (69) was recognized as a potent emetic and a moderately toxic base from the time of its initial isolation from Narcissus pseudonarcissus E. (in about 1877) (48). Since that time its isolation from many other AmaryUidaceae, for example, Lpcom radiate Herb., has served to estabUsh it as the most cosmopohtan alkaloid of the family. TypicaUy, as much as 1% of the dry weight of daffodil bulbs may consist of lycorine (69), which has been reported to... 

Inform your primary health care provider of any natural produds that you take (eg, herbs, vitamins, minerals, teas, etc.). Gertain herbs can interad with the medications that you take, causing serious adverse readions or toxic effeds. 

Blberry fruit isa safe food herb with no known adverse reactions or toxicity. There are no known contraindications to its use as directed. The dosage of standard extract is 160 to 320 mg a day. 

When an herb is found to be toxic, the herb is withdrawn from the German market. Comfrey is no longer available in Germany because of its carcinogenicity. Unfortunately, however, comfrey is still available in the United States [15]. 

Herbes, S.E., Southworth, G.R., Shaeffer, D.L., Griest, W.H., Maskarinec, M.P (1980) Critical pathways of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aquatic environments. In The Scientific Basis of Toxicity Assessment. Witschi, H. Editor, pp. 113-128, Elsevier/North-Holland Biomedical Press, Amsterdam. 

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 majority of herbs are safe to handle and consume, but not all of them. Some herbs can be toxic to humans and animals even in small doses, so they need to be treated with respect. Never use anything that you are not sure is completely safe, and consult a medical herbalist first if you want to use herbs for their medicinal properties. 

Herbes SE, Whitley TA. 1983. Characterization and toxicity of water-soluble photooxidants produced during irradiation of coal liquids by sunlight. Environmental Pollution (Ser B) 6(3) 221-240. 

Vegetation under the trees in Japanese red pine, Pinus densiflora, forests is sparse despite the fact that the interior of these forests is one of the brightest among forests (22,23). Many other forests have dense undergrowths of herbs in spite of much lower light intensities. Various parts of red pine and the soil under it contained chemicals toxic to many potential understory plants. Thus, it was concluded that allelopathy probably plays an important role in retarding understory growth. 

Table 1 lists some allelopathlc plants of interest to foresters, together with the classes of toxic compounds produced and examples of species they are reported to suppress. The list is not exhaustive many species that may be allelopathlc have not been studied in depth. One easily observed effect—though sometimes difficult to distinguish from effects of competition—is the exclusion of shrubs, herbs, and other trees from beneath the crowns of particular tree species. 

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