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Possible Side Effects, Contraindications, and Drug Interactions
The three charts below are adapted from information taken from the PDR For Herbal Medicines, The Complete German Commission E Monographs, and Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. In parenthesis is the source of the information given: CE for either of the two Commission E books, and PDR for the PDR For Herbal Medicines. Where no code is given, information is given according the best of the author's knowledge.
In no case is any citation to be taken as an absolute catalog of all possible side effects, contraindications, or possible drug interactions. That said, the purpose of the tables are to provide for the consumer the most complete picture possible of the risks associated with the herbal products sold by Whole Health Products. We have also included information on products we don't sell. It remains our firm belief that the herbal supplements sold on this site are safer than many prescription and pharmaceutical counterparts which, in many cases, are offered for sale with much worse side effect profiles. However, it is imperative that you speak with your primary care practitioner before buying or using products sold by Whole Health Products or any other company. Each person is different, and the way someone reacts to a particular product may be significantly different from another. You should always seek the advice of a healthcare practitioner before taking any dietary, nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, and inform your pharmacy of its use.
Possible Side Effects
Herbal Single
Possible Side Effect
Angelica (Dong Quai)
Sensitivity to light (CE)
Bilberry
None known (CE)
Black Cohosh
Occasional gastric discomfort (CE)
Cascara Sagrada
single use: cramps long term/abuse: disturbance of electrolyte balance, esp. potassium deficiency, which, with abuse, can lead to disorders of heart and muscle function (CE)
Rarely, stomach or intestinal upset, headache, allergic skin reaction (CE)
Ginseng
None known (CE)
Goldenseal
With abuse: digestive disorders, constipation, exitatory states, hallucination, deliria (PDR)
Gotu Kola (in Supplemax)
None known (PDR)
Grape Seed
None known (PDR)
Green Tea
None known if used responsibly, because it contains caffeine: restlessness, irritability, sleeplessness, palpitation, vertigo, diarrhea, loss of appetite, headache (PDR)
Guarana
None known if used responsibly, because it contains caffeine: restlessness, irritability, sleeplessness, palpitation, vertigo, diarrhea, loss of appetite, headache (PDR)
Horsechestnut
In isolated cases: pruritis, nausea, gastric complaints (CE)
Kava
None known. With extended, continuous intake, yellowing of skin, hair and nails. Dry itchy skin can also occur. This reverses on discontinuation. Also enlargement of pupils and disturbances of oculomotor equilibrium have been described (CE)
Larrea tridentata
The patented extract used in Larrea Safe™ has none of the hepatotoxic compounds present in the unprocessed plant.
Milk Thistle
Crude preparation: none known Formulations: occasional mild laxative (CE)
Passion Flower
None known (CE)
Peppermint (in Supplemax)
None known
Saint John's Wort
Photosensitization in rare cases. Animal and human research indicates that it would take 30-50 times the recommended daily level of 900mg to produce these effects. (CE)
Saw Palmetto
Rarely, stomach problems (CE)
Spirulina
None known
Tea Tree
None with proper use; contact dermatitis is possible (PDR)
Valerian
None known (CE)
Contraindications (CE)
Condition
Do Not Take
Abdominal Pain of Unknown Origin
Cascara Sagrada
AIDS
Echinacea (theoretical concern, not verified)
Allergy/Hypersensitivity
Black Cohosh Cayenne Ginkgo Biloba
Anxiety
Ephedra
Appendicitis
Cascara Sagrada
Asthma
Melatonin
Autoimmune Disease
Echinacea (theoretical concern, not verified)
Bile Duct Obstruction
Kava Peppermint Oil (present in trace amounts in peppermint leaf in Supplemax)
Cerebral Circulation, Impaired
Ephedra
Children and Infants
Cascara Sagrada Peppermint Oil (present in trace amounts in peppermint leaf in Supplemax)
Colitis, Ulcerative
Cascara Sagrada
Collagenosis
Echinacea
Depression
Kava
Diabetes Mellitus
Psyllium husk
Esophageal Stenosis
Psyllium husk
Exanthemas, Urticarial
Chaste Tree
Gallbladder Inflammation
Peppermint Oil (present in trace amounts in peppermint leaf in Supplemax)
Gallstones
Ginger Peppermint Oil (present in trace amounts in peppermint leaf in Supplemax)
Gastrointestinal Stenosis
Psyllium husk
Glaucoma
Ephedra
HIV
Ginseng Ephedra Echinacea (theoretical concern, not verified)
Hypokalemia
Flaxseed
Ileus
Flaxseed Psyllium husk
Intestinal Inflammation or Obstruction
Cascara Sagrada
Leukosis
Echinacea (theoretical concern, not verified)
Liver Disease
Peppermint Oil (present in trace amounts in peppermint leaf in Supplemax)
Blumenthal, Mark; Busse, Werner R; Goldberg, Alicia; Gruenwald, Joerg, PhD; Hall, Tara; Riggins, Chance W.; Rister, Robert S., Eds, Klein, Sigrid, PhD; Rister, Robert S, Trans, Tyler, VarroE, PhD, ScD. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council, 1998.
Gruenwald, Joerg, PhD; Brendler, Thomas, BA; Jaenicke, Christof, MD. PDR for Herbal Medicines. Medical Economics Company, 1998.
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This website and these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult a properly trained medical practitioner for medical advice.
