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Herbs to Avoid

Posted: Monday, June 22, 2009

by Deana Guidi
Free Movement Fitness Inc.

In the United States, consumers are demanding more and more herbal products. Natural food stores are reporting annual growth rates as high as 60 to 80 percent for medicinal herbs in bulk, capsules, extracts, tinctures, tablets, and teas. Since 1990, consumer use of herbal medicines in the United States has increased by 380 percent. By the year 2010, experts project approximately $25 billion in annual sales of herbal products[1]. While many herbs are thought to be effective, some should be avoided[2]:

*HERB*	*WHY IT IS USED*	*REASONS FOR CAUTION*
Aconite	Pain, rheumatism, headaches	Numerous poisonings in China
Belladonna	Spasms, gastrointestinal pain	Contains three toxic alkaloids, including atropine
Blue Cohash	Menstrual ailments, worms	Can induce labor
Borage	Coughs, diuretic, mood booster	May contain liver toxins and carcinogens
Broom	Intoxicant, diuretic, heart problems	May slow heart rhythm; contain toxic alkaloids
Chaparral	Arthritis, cancer, pain, colds	Can cause severe hepatitis and liver failure
Comfrey	Cuts, bruises, ulcers	Contains toxins linked to liver disease and death
Ephedra	Stimulant, decongestant	Contains cardiac toxins resulting in dozens of deaths
Germander	Digestion, fever	Stimulant can cause heart problems
Kava	Sedative, anxiety, insomnia, restlessness	Possible liver damage; should not be used with alcohol or other depressants, or by pregnant women
Kombucha Tea	AIDS, insomnia, acne	Can cause liver damage, intestinal problems, and death
Lobelia	Mood booster	Can cause rapid heart beat, coma and death
Pennyroyal	Stimulant, gastric distress	Liver damage, convulsions, and deaths
Poke Root	Emetric, rheumatism	Extremely toxic; can cause low blood pressure, respiratory depression
Sassafras	Stimulant, sweat producers, syphilis	Contains the carcinogen safrole; banned from use in food
Scullcap	Tranquilizer	Can cause liver damage
Wormwood	Tonic; digestion	Can cause convulsions, loss of consciousness, and hallucinations

Generally, when choosing and using herbal medicines, use the following guidelines:

Be informed! Seek unbiased, scientific sources. Inform your physician of any herbal medicines or supplements you take especially if taking prescribed medications.
Do not exceed recommended doses or use herbal medicines for prolonged periods. Call you physician if you experience adverse effects.

For additional sources of information about herbal medicines, see:

American Botanical Council, The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines.
S. Foster and V.E. Tyler, Tyler's Honest Herbal: a Sensible Guide to the Use of Herbs and Related Remedies, 2000.
American Botanical Council, HerbalGram, a peer-reviewed journal
American Botanical Council: www.herbalgram.com
Herb Research Foundation: www.herbs.org/
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: www.fda.gov
National Institutes of Health/NCCAM: nccam.nih.gov
U.S. Pharmacopeia: www.usp.org

Deana Guidi is a Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition and Wellness Consultant through the American Fitness Professionals Association (AFPA) and the President of Free Movement Fitness, Inc. Contact her through http:\\freemovementfitness.efitnesstracker.com. or 407-340-4645

[1] Boyle, Marie A. and Long, Sara. Personal Nutrition. 6^th Ed. Thomson Learning Inc. 2007, pg. 198.

[2] Id. at 200-201.

Deana Guidi is a Master Personal Trainer, Nutrition and Wellness Consultant, and Sports Conditioning Specialist through the American Fitness Professionals Association (AFPA). She has worked as a personal trainer since 2003 and began writing and offering online personal training in 2009 through Free Movement Fitness Inc. She has embraced fitness with a passion since she was a child and enjoys figure skating and running. Her training website is located at http:\\freemovementfitness.efitnesstracker.com.

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