HE ALTH & HE ALIN G
CHECKLIST WHEN CONSIDERING HERB-DRUG INTERACTIONS
• Read ingredients, directions, warning and precautions printed on supplements and medications. If you do not understand something or need more information, ask your healthcare practitioner.
• Avoid taking vitamin supplements with medications as they can interact with certain drugs.
• Take supplements and medications with a full glass of water.
• Never take vitamin supplements and medications with alcohol.
• Ensure to inform your health care practitioner of any supplement and medication you are currently taking.
• Check with the pharmacist on how food can affect specific medications taken with food.
the levels of oral contraceptives – which can potentially lead to accidental pregnancies.
GINKGO Renowned for improving cognitive function and circulation, ginkgo can thin the blood, interacting adversely with blood thinning medications including warfarin and aspirin. High doses of ginkgo have also been reported to reduce the effectiveness of anticonvulsant medications to control seizures. Caution is thereby warranted when taken with medications that thin the blood and are central nervous system depressants.
GARLIC Similar to ginkgo, garlic contains properties that can also thin the blood, so caution is advised when taking with blood thinning medications.
LIQUORICE Don’t get too excited! This is not referring to the sweet treat, but rather the root of a liquorice plant that can be used for various ailments from cold sores to stomach ulcers and soothing a sore throat. Liquorice has the potential to increase water retention by affecting levels of sodium and potassium in the body. Use caution when taking it with diuretic (urine-producing) medications. Liquorice can also interact with digoxin used for congestive heart failure and regulating heart rhythms, increasing the risk of digoxin toxicity.
ECHINACEA Universally used for treating the common cold and acute infections, echinacea can interact with fexofenadine; used for allergy symptoms, itraconazle; an anti- fungal medication, as well as lovastatin; a commonly prescribed cholesterol medication. Increasing the effects of these medications can make you more susceptible to liver toxicity, and echinacea reduces their effectiveness in the body.
KOREAN GINSENG Korean ginseng, a Chinese medicinal herb commonly used for boosting physical and mental performance, as well as erectile dysfunction, can
interact with pain-relieving medication, various diuretics, and blood pressure medication, reducing the effectiveness of pain perception as well blood pressure levels. Korean ginseng has also been found to reduce the effects of warfarin and metformin, a commonly prescribed blood sugar medication; so take care with concurrent use.
KAVA Kava has had a long history of use for stress, insomnia, and anxiety. It has been found to have additive effects with central nervous system depressants including benzodiazepines and antipsychotics, making you prone to feeling lethargic and disoriented. Avoidance of kava with central nervous system depressants is therefore advised. n
References for this article are to be found on the website version:
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www.livingnow.com.au
Bec is a naturopath, nutritionist, herbalist, fitness instructor and founder of ‘Bec to Nature Naturopathy’, whose mission is to educate
people on how to get back to the basics, by getting back to nature. Her passion is to adopt food as medicine and to leave her clients salivating for their next meal. When she isn’t practising, you’ll find Bec climbing mountains and creating raw brownie recipes.
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