02/09/2022
Anise
Anise Seed
Side Effects
Anise is LIKELY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth in amounts typically found in foods. There isn't enough information available to know if anise is safe to take by mouth in medicinal amounts.
Allergies
Anise might cause allergic reactions in some people who are allergic to other plants that are similar to anise. Plants that are similar to anise include asparagus, caraway, celery, coriander, cumin, dill, and fennel.
Hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Anise might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don't use anise.
Blessed Thistle
Risks
Milk thistle can trigger allergic reactions. People who are allergic to artichokes, kiwi, ragweed, daisies, marigolds, and chrysanthemums are at higher risk. People who have diabetes or endometriosis should check with a doctor before using milk thistle. While milk thistle has been traditionally used in pregnant and breastfeeding women, its safety is unknown. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before using milk thistle. Milk thistle is not recommended for children.
Side effects
Milk thistle seems to have few side effects, even when taken for several years. Some people have nausea, diarrhea, itching, and bloating.
Interactions
If you take any medicines regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using milk thistle. It could interact with many drugs, including some that treat high cholesterol, infections, insomnia, and blood pressure. Since milk thistle may lower blood sugar, people with diabetes should check with their doctor before taking the herb as it may make their blood sugar fall too low.
Calendula
Potential Risks of Calendula Tea
In some cases, calendula tea can cause mild irritation or an allergic reaction when you put it on your skin. Doctors also warn that there may be unexpected interactions when you drink calendula tea and take sedatives.
We need more research to figure out if calendula is safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. So for now, women who are either should stay away from calendula tea.
Chamomile
Side effects
Most experts say chamomile is safe. It can cause drowsiness and, in large doses, vomiting. It also has the potential to trigger allergic reactions in people who are allergic to related plants in the daisy family, although such reactions are very rare. Avoid it if you are allergic to these plants: chamomile, ragweed, daisies, marigolds, or chrysanthemums. Skin creams with chamomile can cause allergic eczema and irritate the eyes. The effects of long-term chamomile use aren't known.
Risks
Check with your doctor before using chamomile if you have any health problems. Chamomile contains a small amount of coumarin, which may have very mild blood thinning effects, but usually just in high doses for long periods of time. Stop using chamomile two weeks before surgery due to concerns about its possible interactions with anesthetic drugs.
Interactions
If you take any drugs regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using chamomile supplements. They could interact with sedatives, blood thinners, antiplatelet drugs, aspirin, NSAID painkillers like ibuprofen and naproxen, and other drugs. Chamomile could also interact with supplements like ginkgo biloba, garlic, saw palmetto, St. John's wort, and valerian.
Given the lack of evidence about its long-term safety, chamomile is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Talk to a pediatrician before giving chamomile to infants and children.
Chili Powder (Capsicum)
When taken by mouth
Capsicum is likely safe when consumed in amounts typically found in food. Capsaicin, the active chemical in capsicum, is possibly safe when used short-term. Side effects can include stomach irritation, sweating, and runny nose. Capsicum is possibly unsafe to take in large doses or for long periods of time.
When applied to the skin
Lotions and creams that contain capsicum extract are likely safe for most adults. Capsaicin is approved by the FDA as an over-the-counter medication. Side effects can include skin irritation and itching. Capsicum can also be very irritating to the eyes, nose, and throat. Don't use capsicum on sensitive skin or near the eyes.
Dill
Side Effects
According to researchers, dill is generally safe, but in rare situations, it may lead to allergic reactions, vomiting, diarrhea, oral pruritus, urticaria tongue, and throat swelling. People who are allergic to carrots may experience an allergic reaction to dill.
There are certain situations when you may want to be careful about using dill as a medicine. It is not recommended that you use dill as a medicine during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Using dill on your skin may cause irritation, and drinking dill juice may make you more sensitive to the sun.
Lastly, people with diabetes, who are taking lithium, and those undergoing surgery within two weeks should talk to their healthcare provider before using dill as a medicine.
Elderberries
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Elderberry is commonly consumed in foods. Elderberry extract is possibly safe when taken for up to 12 weeks. There isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use for longer than 12 weeks.
It is possibly unsafe to consume elder leaves or stems, or unripe or uncooked elderberries. Cooked elderberry seems to be safe, but raw and unripe fruit might cause nausea, vomiting, or severe diarrhea.
Special Precautions and Warnings
Children: Elderberry extract is possibly safe in children 5 years of age or older when taken by mouth for up to 3 days. There isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe for children younger than 5 years of age to take elderberry. Unripe or uncooked elderberries are possibly unsafe. Don't give them to children.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if elderberry extract is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.
"Autoimmune diseases" such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Elderberry might cause the immune system to become more active. This could increase the symptoms of autoimmune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it's best to avoid using elderberry.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with ELDERBERRY
Elderberry can increase the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used after a transplant, decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking elderberry along with these medications might decrease the effects of these medications.
Green Tea
Potential Risks
Green tea, when drunk at a moderate rate of 8 cups per day or less, is considered safe for most adults. However, there are risks posed by consuming green tea in high concentrations, especially as an extract.
Diabetes Complications
As a caffeine-rich drink, green tea may pose a risk to people with diabetes. Caffeine has been shown to potentially raise blood sugar of people with type-2 diabetes.
Hibiscus
Side effects
Hibiscus may cause blood pressure to drop. It has also been linked to dermatitis, headache, nausea, and ringing in the ear.
Risks
Avoid hibiscus if you are allergic or sensitive to it or members of the Malvaceae plant family. Use with caution if you have low or high blood pressure.
Interactions
Hibiscus tea may interfere with the effectiveness of some anti-malaria drugs. It can also interact with many other drugs including some for diabetes and high blood pressure.
Do not use if you are pregnant or nursing as it may be unsafe for you and your baby.
Lavender
More research is needed to determine the safety of lavender in people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If these conditions apply to you, talk with your doctor before beginning any treatment with lavender.
Mugwort
Special Precautions and Warnings
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to use mugwort if you are pregnant. Mugwort might cause a miscarriage because it can start menstruation and also cause the uterus to contract.
There isn't enough reliable information to know if mugwort is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Allergies
Mugwort may cause an allergic reaction in individuals who are allergic to the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many other herbs.
Mugwort might also cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to birch, celery, fennel, or wild carrot. This has been called the "celery-carrot-mugwort-spice syndrome." People with allergies to these plants might be more likely to be allergic to the drug called oseltamivir (Tamiflu).
Onion
Side Effects
Onion is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in amounts commonly found in food or when applied to the skin. It is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth in larger amounts. Taking up to a maximum of 35 mg of the onion ingredient “diphenylamine” per day for several months seems to be safe.
Parsley
Special Precautions and Warnings
Pregnancy
It is LIKELY SAFE to consume parsley in food amounts. But parsley in larger medicinal amounts is LIKELY UNSAFE to take during pregnancy. Parsley has been used to cause an abortion and to start menstrual flow. In addition, some research suggests that taking large doses of parsley with other herbs during the first three months of pregnancy can increase the risk of birth defects. If you are pregnant, stick with using only the amount of parsley typically found in food.
Breast-feeding
It is LIKELY SAFE to consume parsley in food amounts. There isn't enough reliable information to know if parsley in larger medicinal amounts is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick with the amounts found in foods.
Bleeding disorders
Parsley might slow blood clotting. In theory, taking parsley might increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.
Diabetes
Parsley might lower blood sugar levels. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use parsley.
Passionflower
Side effects could include (rare)
Dizziness
Sedation
Loss of coordination
Allergic reaction
Confusion
Passionflower may interact with certain medications. For example, it may increase the effects of pentobarbital and benzodiazepine drugs. Both of these drugs are used to lessen anxiety and insomnia.
Passionflower may also interact with:
Other sleep aids
Anticoagulant drugs
Passionflower should not be taken by pregnant women. That's because it may stimulate the uterus and potentially induce labor.
People expecting to undergo surgery should stop taking passionflower at least two weeks before the procedure. That's because passionflower may interact with anesthesia and other medication during and after surgery.
Patchouli
Do not ingest
Peppercorns
Black pepper is safe when taken by mouth in amounts commonly found in foods
Peppermint
Risks and precautions
Peppermint, like many other herbs, can interact with other herbs, supplements, or drugs. Peppermint can also trigger side effects in some individuals. It is possible to be allergic to peppermint.
Anyone who already receives medication should talk with their doctor before using peppermint. Peppermint should not be used by young children. When applied to a child’s face, peppermint can cause life threatening breathing problems.
Peppermint is not recommended for people who:
have a hiatus hernia
have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
have an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
have hemolytic anemia
Peppermint may interact with some drugs, including:
cyclosporine, takenTrusted Source by transplant recipients to prevent organ rejection
drugs that reduce stomach acid
ulcer medications
calcium channel blockers and other drugs usedTrusted Source for hypertension or high blood pressure
Poppy Seed
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Poppy seed is LIKELY SAFE for most adults when taken in amounts commonly found in food. In some people, eating poppy seed can cause allergies, but this is uncommon.
Poppy seed is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken in larger amounts used for medical purposes. A single beverage or yogurt containing 35-250 grams of poppy seed has been used safely.
Drinking poppy seed tea is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Poppy seed tea is made by soaking poppy seeds in water. The outer surface of poppy seed can contain morphine and other op**tes. When poppy seed is soaked in water to make the tea, the morphine and other op**tes can seep into the water. Drinking this water can cause side effects or death due to the op**te content.
Eating very large amounts of poppy seeds is also POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Eating very large amounts of poppy seed might block the bowels. But this is very uncommon.
Rosemary
Side Effects
Ingestion of large quantities of rosemary may result in stomach and intestinal irritation, and kidney damage. Allergic contact dermatitis has been associated with the plant, but rosemary is not generally considered to be a human skin sensitizer. Rosemary's constituents, monoterpene ketones, are convulsants, and have caused seizures in large doses. Rosemary also is an abortive.
Roses
Side Effects
Rose is safe to consume in moderate amounts. The most commonly reported side effect is an allergic reaction. Don't drink this tea if you are allergic to the rose plant or have had a reaction to rosehips tea.
Sage
SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS & WARNINGS
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Taking sage during pregnancy is LIKELY UNSAFE because of the possibility of consuming thujone, a chemical found in some sage. Thujone can bring on a woman's menstrual period, and this could cause a miscarriage. Avoid sage if you are breast-feeding, too. There is some evidence that thujone might reduce the mother's milk supply.
Diabetes: Sage might lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use sage. The dose of your diabetes medications may need to be adjusted by your healthcare provider.
Thyme
Allergy to oregano and similar plants: People who are allergic to oregano or other Lamiaceae species might also be allergic to thyme.
Valerian
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Valerian is likely safe when used short-term. Valerian has been used safely in doses of 300-600 mg daily for up to 6 weeks. The safety of long-term use is unknown.
Valerian is usually well-tolerated. Some common side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, headache, stomach upset, mental dullness, and vivid dreams. It might cause withdrawal symptoms when discontinued after long-term use. To avoid withdrawal symptoms after long-term use, it's best to reduce the dose slowly over a week or two before stopping completely.
Wormwood
SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS & WARNINGS
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Wormwood is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth during pregnancy in amounts greater than what is commonly found in food. The concern is the possible thujone content. Thujone might affect the uterus and endanger the pregnancy. It's also best to avoid topical wormwood, since not enough is known about the safety of applying wormwood directly to the skin.
If you are breast-feeding, don't use wormwood until more is known about safety.
Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Wormwood may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking wormwood.
A rare inherited blood condition called porphyria: Thujone present in wormwood oil might increase the body's production of chemicals called porphyrins. This could make porphyria worse.
Kidney disorders: Taking wormwood oil might cause kidney failure. If you have kidney problems, talk with your healthcare provider before taking wormwood.
Seizure disorders, including epilepsy: Wormwood contains thujone, which can cause seizures. There is concern that wormwood might make seizures more likely in people who are prone to them.
Pure Sugar Cane
Pink Himalayan Salt
