Cranberry
Medicine part: Berries/Juice
Prevents Urinary tract infections
Saw palmetto
medicine part: berries
Treats benign prostatic hyperplasia
Milk thistle
medicine part: seeds
Antitoxin, protection against liver disease
Garlic
medicine part: bulbs
reduces blood cholesterol, reduces blood pressure, anticoagulation
Ginkgo
medicine part: leaves and seeds
Improves memory, reduces dizziness
Interacts with:
Anticonvulsants
aspirin and NSAIDs
Heparin and warfarin
Tricyclic antidepressants
Effects:
possible decreased anticonvulsants effectiveness
increased bleeding potential
pos
soy
medicine part: Beans
Source of protein, vitamins, and minerals; relief of menopausal symptoms, prevents cardiovascular disease, anticancer
Flaxseed (ground) and/or oil
medicine: seeds and oil
Lower cholesterol levels, reduces the risk of heart disease, laxative
Echinacea
Medicine: entire plant
Enhance immune system, treat the common cold
Interacts with:
Amiodarone, anabolic steroids, ketoconazole, methotrexate
Effects:
possible increased hepatoxicity
Wheat or barley grass
medicine: leaves
improves digestion, vitamin and mineral supplement
black cohosh
Medicine: roots
relief of menopausal symptoms
Aloe vera
medicine: leaves
Topical application for minor skin irritations and burns
Turmeric
Medicine: roots and bulbs
Indigestion, dysepsia, reduce inflammation
Valerian
Medicine: Roots
Relieve stress, promote sleep
interacts with
Barbiturates, benzodiazepines
other CNS depressants
effects:
increased sedation
Blue-green algae/spirulina
Medicine: entire organism
Source of B vitamins, promote weight loss, relieve fatigue and stress
St. John's wort
medicine: flowers, leaves, stems
reduce depression, reduce anxiety, anti-inflammatory
interacts with:
CNS depressants and opiod analgesics
Cyclosporine (Sandimmune)
Efavirenz, indinavir
Protease inhibitors
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricycli
Elderberry
medicine: berries and flowers
relieve symptoms of common cold
green tea
Medicine: Leaves
antioxidant; lower LDL cholesterol; prevent cancer; relieve stomach problems, nausea, vomiting
Evening primrose
medicine: oil extracted from seeds
relieve itching of eczema and other skin conditions
Red yeast rice extract
medicine: dried in capsules
lower blood cholesterol
stevia
medicine: leaves
natural sweetener
Feverfew
Interacts with:
Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); heparin, warfarin (Coumadin)
Effects:
increased bleeding risk
Garlic
interacts with:
Aspirin and other NSAIDs
warfarin insulin
oral hypoglycemic agents
effects:
increased bleeding risk
Ginseng
interacts with:
CNS depressants
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Diuretics
insulin and oral hypoglycemia agents
Warfarin
effects:
increased sedation
increased toxicity
possible decreased diuretic effects
increased hypoglycemic effects
decreased anticoagulant effects
Goldenseal
interacts with:
Diuretics
effects:
may decrease diuretic effects
Amino acids
build protein, muscle strength and endurance
Camitine
Enhances energy and sports performance, heart health, memory, immune function, and male fertility
Coenzyme Q10
Prevents heart disease, provides antioxidant therapy
DHEA
Boosts immune functions and memory
Fish oil
Reduces cholesterol levels, enhances brain function, increases visual acuity ( due to presence of omega-3 fatty acids)
Glucosamine and chondroitin
Reduces symptoms of arthritis and other join problems
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Maintains intestinal health
Selenium
Reduces the risk of certain types of cancer
Vitamin C
Prevents colds