Herbal Medicines Nurses Should Know

Gingo Biloba
Uses:
Asthma Bronchitis Fatigue Tinnitus (ringing or roaring sounds in the ears)Memory improvement Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia Sexual dysfunction Multiple sclerosis
Contraindications: 
Taking blood thinning drugs Diagnosed with bleeding disorders Scheduled for surgery
Side Effects and Cautions 
Headache 
Nausea 
Diarrhea 
Dizziness 
Allergic
skin reactions 
Increase bleeding
Risk for Seizures 

Some promising results have been seen for Alzheimer’s disease/dementia and intermittent claudication, among others, but larger, well-designed research studies are needed. Some smaller studies for memory enhancement have had promising results, but a trial sponsored by the National Institute on Aging of more than 200 healthy adults over age 60 found that ginkgo taken for 6 weeks did not improve memory. 

St. Johns Worth 
Uses: 
Depression 
Anxiety 
Sleep disorders 
Malaria 
Nerve pain 
Sedative
Contraindications: 
Pregnant and Lactating Women 
Severely Depressed Patients 
Individuals already taking antidepressants 
Oral Contraceptives 
Preoperative or Postoperative Patients 
Epileptics 
Anemics Patients with HIV 
Transplant Patients 

Side Effects:
Increased sensitivity to sunlight 
Anxiety 
Dry mouth 
Dizziness 
Gastrointestinal symptoms 
Fatigue 
Headache 
Sexual dysfunction 
Interferes with Absorption of Iron 

Drug Interactions:Research shows that St. John’s wort interacts with some drugs. The herb affects the way the body processes or breaks down many drugs; in some cases, it may speed or slow a drug’s breakdown. Drugs that can be affected include: 
• Antidepressants 
• Birth control pills
• Cyclosporine, which prevents the body from rejecting transplanted organs 
• Digoxin, which strengthens heart muscle contractions
• Indinavir and possibly other drugs used to control HIV infection 
• Irinotecan and possibly other drugs used to treat cancer 
• Warfarin and related anticoagulants 

When combined with certain antidepressants, St. John’s wort may increase side effects such as nausea, anxiety, headache, and confusion.
Asian Ginseng
Uses: 
Increasing Immune System 
Recovering from illness
Increasing energy & stamina
Improving mental & physical performance
Erectile dysfunction
Hepatitis C 
Menopausal symptoms 
Lowering blood sugar 
Controlling blood pressure
Contraindications:
Diabetics Patients with Hypertension 
Patients taking opiates for pain relief 
Pregnant Women 

Side Effects:
Headaches 
Sleep problems 
Gastrointestinal problems 
Allergic reactions 
Breast tenderness, Menstrual irregularitiesHigh blood pressure ( Low blood sugar Some studies have shown that Asian ginseng may lower blood glucose.
Other studies indicate possible beneficial effects on immune function. 

Research results on Asian ginseng are not conclusive enough to prove health claims associated with the herb. Only a handful of large clinical trials on Asian ginseng have been conducted. Most studies have been small or have had flaws in design and reporting. Some claims for health benefits have been based only on studies conducted in animals. 

Echinacea 

Uses: 
Colds, flu, and other infections. 
Stimulating the immune system Infections 
Wounds and skin problems, such as acne or boils
Contraindications: 
Pregnant women Patients with autoimmune disorders 
Patients with tuburculosis 
Young children 

Side Effects 
Incresed side effects if taken beyond 8 weeks Stomach problems 
Allergic reactions, including rashes, asthma, and anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction), people with Allergies to other plants may be more susceptible 

Study results are mixed on whether echinacea effectively treats colds or flu. For example, two NCCAM-funded studies did not find a benefit from echinacea, either as Echinacea purpurea fresh-pressed juice for treating colds in children, or as an unrefined mixture of Echinacea angustifolia root and Echinacea purpurea root and herb in adults. However, other studies have shown that echinacea may be beneficial in treating upper respiratory infections. 

Black Cohash 

Uses: 
Rheumatism (arthritis and muscle pain) 
Menopausal symptomsMenstrual irregularities and premenstrual syndrome 
Labor induction Blackcohosh
Contraindications: 
Pregnant Women Children 

Side Effects:Headaches and stomach discomfort 
Heaviness in the legs 
Weight problems 

Interactions & Cautions 
No interactions have been reported between black cohosh and prescription medicines. It is not clear if black cohosh is safe for women who have had breast cancer or for pregnant women. 

Study results are mixed on whether black cohosh effectively relieves menopausal symptoms. Studies to date have been less than 6 months long, so long-term safety data are not currently available.
Kava 
Uses: 
Anxiety Insomnia 
Menopausal symptoms 
Fatigue 
Asthma 
Urinary tract infections 

Contraindications: 
Pregnant & nursing women 
People being treated for depression 
People with Parkinson’s diseasePeople with liver problems 
People with high blood pressure 

Side Effects 
Liver damage, including hepatitis and liver failure 
Dystonia (abnormal muscle spasm or involuntary muscle movements) 
Hypertension 
Scaly, yellowed skin (associated with long-term use) 
Drowsiness 

Drug Interactions:
Kava may interact with several drugs, including drugs used for Parkinson’s disease.What the Science Says Although scientific studies provide some evidence that kava may be beneficial for the management of anxiety, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning that using kava supplements has been linked to a risk of severe liver damage.
Evening Primrose 
Uses: 
Eczema (a condition in which the skin becomes inflamed, itchy, or scaly because of allergies or other irritation)Inflammation 
Rheumatoid arthritisMenstrual & menopausal symptoms 

Contraindications: 
Pregnant women 
Epileptics 
Schizophrenics 

Side Effects and Cautions:Stomach upset 
Headache 
May lower seizure threshold 

Evening primrose oil may have modest benefits for eczema, and it may be useful for rheumatoid arthritis and breast pain. However, study results are mixed, and most studies have been small and not well designed. Evening primrose oil does not appear to affect menopausal symptoms. Although some clinical trials have shown a benefit of evening primrose oil for premenstrual syndrome, the best-designed trials found no effect.
Saw Palmetto 
Uses: 
Urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate gland 
Chronic pelvic pain 
Bladder disorders 
Decreased sex drive 
Hair loss Hormone imbalances 

Contraindications: 
Pregnant Women 
Children
Side Effects and Cautions:Stomach discomfort. 
Some men have reported side effects such as tender breasts and a decline in sexual desire 

Several small studies suggest that saw palmetto may be effective for treating BPH symptoms. In 2006, a large study of 225 men with moderate-to-severe BPH found no improvement with 320 mg saw palmetto daily for 1 year versus placebo. NCCAM cofunded the study with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. There is not enough scientific evidence to support the use of saw palmetto for reducing the size of an enlarged prostate or for any other conditions. 


Banned Herbal Medicine : Ephedra (aka Ma-Huang) 

Ephedra is a naturally occurring substance that comes from botanicals. The principal active ingredient ephedrine is an amphetamine-like compound that can powerfully stimulate the nervous system and heart. In recent years, ephedra products have been marketed as dietary supplements to promote weight loss, increase energy, and enhance athletic performance. 

After a careful review of the available evidence about the risks and benefits of ephedra in supplements, the FDA found that these supplements present an unreasonable risk of illness or injury to consumers. The data showed little evidence of ephedra’s effectiveness, except for short-term weight loss, while confirming that the substance raises blood pressure and stresses the heart. The increased risk of heart problems and strokes negates any benefits of weight loss.