"Any company that exploits the romanticism of herbalism should have to take the social responsibility." David Roll, Ph.D.
ALLERGENIC REACTIONS
1. Chamomile tea may cause contact dermatitis, anaphylaxis, and other
severe hypersensitivity reactions in patients allergic to
rag weed, asters, chrysanthemums or other
members of the Compositae family.
Brenner & Lee, J Allergy Clin Immunol,
53:307, 1973
Compositae family--
1. Allergy to this family should also avoid teas from floral
heads of goldenrod, marigold, and yarrow.
Med. Letter 21:30, 1979
DIURESIS
Buchu Quack grass Dandelion |
Inefficient Diuretics |
generally non-toxic |
Juniper berries Shave grass Horsetail |
Contains nicotine Thiaminase |
G.I. irritation Excitement Loss of appetitie Loss of muscle control Diarrhea Thiamine deficiency Convulsions/Coma/Death |
Med. Letter 21:29, 1979.
CATHARTICS
Morbid Mortal Weekly rep. 27:248, 1978
CARDIOVASCULAR REACTIONS
Licorice root (large amounts) can cause:
sodium retention
heart failure
hypokalemia
cardiac arrest
hypertension
Bannister, Br Med J, 2:738, 1977
Chamberlain, JAMA 213:1343, 1970
Koster & David, NEJM, 278: 1381, 1968
MISTLETOE
1. Contains toxic amines & proteins
that may cause gastroenteritis
2. Some phytotoxins produce same effects as cobra venom cardiotoxin
depolarization of skeletal muscle
contracture of smooth muscle
vasoconstriction
shock
cardiac arrest
Europ J Pharmacol, 23:223, 1973
ANTICHOLINERGIC REACTIONS
Herbs | Effects |
Burdock root | Blurred vision |
Catnip | Dilated pupils |
Juniper | Dry Mouth |
Hydrangea | Urinary |
Bryson, JAMA 239:2157, 1978
Bryson, JAMA 240:1586, 1978
Bryson, JAMA 236:473, 1976
HORMONAL REACTIONS
HORMONES
1. Ginseng contains estrogens & can cause swollen and painful breasts
Dukes, Br Med J, 1:1621, 1978
Palmer, Br Med J, 1:1284, 1978
2. Mandrake contains scopolamine
3. Snakeroot contains reserpine
Siegal, JAMA, 237:25, 1977
CARCINOGENIC REACTIONS
1. Sassafras root bark contains at least 70% safrole.
Safrole is hepatotoxic and carcinogenic in animals.
Segeiman, JAMA 238:477, 1976
2. Comfrey contains several hepatoxic pyrrolizidine
alkaloids shown to produce cancer of the liver in small animals.
Eight pyrrolizidine alkaloids of
hepatotoxic type identified in Russian country.
Farnsworth Am. Jour. of Pharm. Ed., 43:242, 1979
3. Coltsfoot contains a pyrrolizidine alkaloid,
senkirkine, shown to be carcinogenic to rats.
Hironi, ET AL, GANN, 67:125-119, 1976.
ABORTIFACIENT REACTIONS
1. Devils claw root (from S. Africa) --oxytocic
properties.
2. Pennyroyal--used to induce menstruation & as an
abortifacient; contains ketone pulegone and has caused death due to
renal and hepatic toxicity.
Sullivan, JAMA, in press
CNS STIMULATION REACTIONS
LOBELLA (INDIAN TOBACCO)
1. Contains lobeline - pharmacologically similar to nicotine.
2. Can cause: CNS stimulation sweating vomiting paralysis
depressed temperature coma death
RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION
POKE WEED
1. Whole plant, particularly root, is toxic
2. Ingestion of uncooked plant causes:
gastroenteritis
diminished
respiration
death
3. Children have died from eating berries
Lewish & Elvin-Lewis, Med. Botany, 1977
CYANIDE REACTIONS
CASSAVA
1. Causes chronic cyanide intoxication
2. Linked to:
Goiter
Amblyopia
Ataxic neuropathy
Conn, Nat. Acad Sci, 1973, p. 299 Med. Letter 21:31, 1979
AMYGDALIN
1. After ingestion compound liberates hydrogen cyanide (HCN)
2. Children have been poisoned
3. Some have died
Sayre & Kaymakcaian, NEJM, 270:1113, 1964 Goldfrank & Kirstein, Hosp Phys,
13:30, 1977
SEROTONERGIC HYPERSTIMULATION (SEROTONIN SYNDROME)
HERBS IMPLICATED IN INDUCING THE SEROTONIN SYNDROME
Increase synthesis L-tryptophan, red
wine, beer
Stimulate release Cocaine
Inhibit reuptake Cocaine
Reduce degradation after reuptake St.
Johns wort, yohimbe
Direct postsynaptic agonist action
Melatonin, valerian
Nonspecific increase in activity Lithium
RULE OF THUMB
Avoid using herbs in:
Infants and children
Pregnant women & nursing mothers
People with allergies to plants
Chronic medical conditions
Taking multiple medications