THE UNIVERSIT Y OF

COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

RIZONA

Commercial Herbs of Significance: A Guide for Clinicians

Potential Efficacy and Level of Evidence (1) Arteriosclerosis*; Bacterial infection; Hyperlipidemia*** +/-; Hypertension +/-; Viral infection Burns; Constipation; Dermatitis; Diabetes**; Wound healing Climacteric symptoms; Dysmenorrhea; Premenstrual syndrome Alertness***; Cancer prevention**; Dental Caries**; Depression**; Diabetes; Fatigue**; Hypercholesterol Arthritis; Herpes zoster (Shingles)**; Muscle strain; Neuralgia*; Pain; Post-herpetic neuralgia Potential Adverse Effects Dyspepsia, nausea; Bleeding; Burns Potential Therapeutic Interactions Anti-thrombotic agents

Botanical Name Allium sativum (2)

Common Names Garlic, ajo, poor mans treacle, stinking rose Aloe, Barbados aloe, cape aloe

Aloe spp. (20)

Allergic reaction; Intestinal obstruction; None noted Electrolyte depletion Photosensitization Allergic reaction; Anxiety; Gastritis; Insomnia; Tachycardia Allergic reactions; Burning, itching; Gastrointestinal discomfort; Sweating, flushing, lacrimation, rhinorrhea Abortion (large doses); Dyspepsia, nausea; Toxicity (large doses) Anti-thrombotic agents Aspirin, acetaminophen; Antianxiety agents; Sedatives; Vasoconstrictors None noted

Angelica sinensis (22) Dong quai, Chinese angelica Camellia sinensis (17) Green tea, black tea, chai, Chinese tea, te verde, tetohuxtle Capsicum spp. (27) Pepper, chile pepper, cayenne, tobasco, paprika, red pepper

Cimicifuga racemosa (9) Citrus aurantium (Not listed)

Black cohosh, baneberry, black Climacteric symptoms***; Dysmenorrhea; snake root, bugbane, bugwort, Premenstrual syndrome rattle root, rattlewood, squawroot Bitter orange, sour orange, bitter orange peel, Seville orange, Zhi Qiao, Zhi Shi Hawthorn, English hawthorn, haw, hawthorn tops, may, maybush, mayhaw, oneseed, whitethorn herb Echinacea, Kansas snakeroot. purple cone flower, snakeroot Ephedra, Brigham tea, herbal ecstacy, joint fir, ma-huang, Mormon tea

Anti-hypertensive agents

Anorexia; Fatigue, mental or physical; Obesity; Anorexia; Anxiety; Dizziness; Tenia infections; Used like ephedra in many Hypertension; Irritability; Insomnia; herbal products. Palpitations; Tachycardia Anti-arrhythmic; Congestive heart failure*** Agitation; Circulatory disturbances; Dizziness; Dyspepsia, nausea; Headache; Insomnia; Palpitations Allergic reaction; Dyspepsia, nausea; Numbness of mouth and tongue Anorexia; Anxiety; Dizziness; Headache; Hypertension; Irritability; Insomnia; Nausea; Palpitations; Psychosis; Tachycardia Allergic reaction; Bleeding; Dyspepsia, nausea Allergic reaction Edema (high doses); Hypertension (high doses); Pseudoaldosteronism (in chronic high doses) Dyspepsia, nausea; Fatigue; Photosensitivity; Restlessness

Amphetamines; Anti-hypertensive agents; Caffeine; Diabetic agents; MAO Inhibitors; Theophylline, Yohimbine Cardiovascular agents; Coronary vasodilators; Digoxin; CNS depressants Steroids; Immuno-suppressive agents Amphetamines; Caffeine; Diabetic agents; MAO Inhibitors; Theophylline, Yohimbine

Crataegus monogyna (23)

Echinacea spp. (3)

Cancer adjuvant; Immuno-stimulation**; Infections* +/-; Upper respiratory infection*** +/-; Wound healing Allergies; Asthma**; Bradycardia*; Bronchitis; Edema; Fatigue, mental or physical*; Nasal congestion; Obesity*

Ephedra spp. (Not listed)

Gingko Biloba (1)

Gingko, kew tree, maidenhair tree Dementia*** +/-; Intermittent claudication** +/-; Memory loss*; Raynauds disease; Tinnitis*; Vertigo** Soy, soya, soybean, soybean curd, lecithin, tofu Licorice, Chinese licorice, Persian licorice, Russian licorice, Spanish licorice, sweet root Cancer prevention; Climacteric symptoms; Hypercholesterolemia Cough; Gastritis; Peptic or duodenal ulcer**; Seborrhea; Stomatitis Anxiety*; Bacterial infection; Depression***; Viral infection; Wound healing*

Anti-thrombotic agents
1

Glycine spp. (4) Glycyrrhiza glabra (33)

None noted Digoxin; Diuretics

Hypericum perforatum St. Johns wort, amber, (7) goatweed, Klamath weed

Anti-depressants; Barbiturates; Calcium Channel Blockers; Cyclosporin; Cytochrome P450 metabolized agents; Hormones, including contraceptives; Photosensitizing agents; Sedatives; Theophyllin Laxatives; may delay absorption of oral agents None noted

Linum usistatissimum (Not listed) Matricaria recutita (Sold as Tea)

Flax, linasa, linseed, lint bells

Constipation; Dermatitis; Hypercholesterolemia** Dermatitis; Inflammatory bowel disease; Insomnia; Intestinal spasm (colic); Pharyngitis; Stomatitis; Upper respiratory infection Bacterial, fungal infections; Onchomycosis; Tenia pedis**; Upper respiratory infection (inhaled vapors); Vaginitis; Wound healing (Should not be taken internally) Biliary disorders; Bronchitis; Cough; Dyspepsia**; Intestinal spasm**; Irritable bowel syndrome**; Headache **

Allergic reaction; Dyspepsia, nausea; Intestinal obstruction (large doses) Allergic reaction

Chamomile, German chamomile, Hungarian chamomile, true chamomile, wild chamomile, manzanilla Chamomilla recutita, Matricaria chamomilla Tea tree oil, Australian tea tree oil

Melaleuca alternifolia (Not listed)

CNS Depression (internal use); None noted Dermatitis (topical); Dyspepsia, nausea (Should not be taken internally) Bronchospasm; Dyspepsia, reflux Histamine blockers and Proton pump inhibitors; Anti-acids

Mentha piperata (Sold as Tea)

Peppermint, brandy mint, lamb mint

Key: Number in parentheses after Botanical name is rank/order based on dollars sold in the United States, 2002. Herbs sold primarily as supplements or teas are not included in this ranking. (1) Level of Evidence: [No stars] folk use, theoretical; [*] anecdotal, case reports; [**] animal studies, few human studies;[***] randomized human trials [+/-] conflicting studies. Compiled by Lane P. Johnson, MD, MPH, Director, Drug/Herb Core, Arizona Center for Education and Research in Therapeutics, Tucson, Arizona, 2005. Further information can be found at the AZCERT Website: http://www.arizonacert.org/ / , or in Pocket Guide to Herbal Remedies, Blackwell Science, 2002. This table is provided for informational purposes only and is not designed to be used for the treatment of diseases or conditions. 2005 Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of The University of Arizona.

2
THE UNIVERSIT Y OF

COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

RIZONA

Commercial Herbs of Significance: A Guide for Clinicians

Potential Efficacy and Level of Evidence (1) Arthritis**; Attention deficit disorder +/-; Eczema**; Hyperlipidema; Mastalgia*; Multiple sclerosis +/-; Premenstrual syndrome*** Central nervous system stimulant*; Diabetes; Fatigue, mental or physical; Tonic for stress** Erectile dysfunction** +/-; Hypotension*; Impotence; Xerostomia (decreased salivation) Potential Adverse Effects Dyspepsia, nausea; Headache; Rash Potential Therapeutic Interactions Phenothiazines

Botanical Name Oenothera spp. (12)

Common Names Evening primrose, flor-de-Santa Rita, King-cure-all Ginseng, Asian ginseng, Chinese ginseng, Korean ginseng, Oriental ginseng, Red Ginseng

Panax ginseng (6)

Inability to concentrate (large doses); Diabetic agents; Coumadin Hypoglycemia; Nervousness, irritability Agitation; Anxiety; Dyspepsia, nausea; Headache; Hypertension; Insomnia; Mania; Renal disorders; Tachycardia; Tremor; Toxic reactions including cardiac failure and death Brochospasm; Dermatitis; Toxic reactions can occur with internal use of essential oil. Allergic reaction; Dermatitis (long term use); Diminished alertness and reaction time; Drowsiness; Dyspepsia, nausea; Hepatic toxicity and liver failure** Diarrhea; Vomiting; Toxic cyanide reactions have occurred from small amounts of leaves, stems and raw berries. Headaches; Dyspepsia, nausea Allergic reaction (rare); Laxative effect (rare) Allergic reaction; Stomatitis; Withdrawal syndrome (arthritis, myalgias) Caffeine; Cardiac agents; Ephedra; MAO Inhibitors; Tricyclic antidepressants None noted

Pausinystalia yohimbe Yohimbe, johimbi, yohimbehe, (16) Corynanthe yohimbe

Pinus spp. (19)

Pine dwarf pine, pine oil, pumilio, pycnogenol, Scotch fir, Scotch pine, Swiss mountain pine, white pine Kava kava, awa, kava

Antioxidant; Bronchitis; Cough; Fever; Pharyngitis; Rheumatic disorders; Stomatitis; Upper respiratory infection Anxiety**; Insomnia

Piper methysticum (13)

Alcohol; Sedatives; Benzodiazepines; Beta-blockers; Dopaminergic agents; Hepatically metabolized agents None noted

Sambucus, spp. (25)

Elder, black elder, boor tree, Bronchitis; Constipation; Cough; Edema; common elder, elderberry, Fever; Influenza; Upper respiratory infection ellanwood, ellhorn, flor sauco, red elder, sweet elder Saw palmetto, American dwarf palm tree, sabal Milk thistle, Marian thistle, St. Mary thistle Benign prostatic hypertrophy***; Irritable bladder Cholelithiasis; Dyspepsia; Hepatitis*; Hypercholesterolemia; Inflammatory liver disease*; Psoriasis; Toxic liver disease*

Serenoa repens (5) Silybum marianum (11) Tanacetem parthenium (21)

Hormonal agents Butyrophones; Phenothiazines; Phentolamine; Yohimbine Anti-thrombotic agents; NSAIDs

2

Feverfew, altamisa, bachelors Arthritis; Asthma; Dysmenorrhea; Fever; buttons, nose bleed, Santa Maria, Inflammation; Migraine headache; Migraine wild chamomile, wild quinine, headache prophylaxis*** Chrysanthemum parthenium Dandelion, blowball, common dandelion, cankerwort, lions teeth, Leontodon taraxacum Cats claw, life-giving-vine-ofPeru, samento, una de gato

Taraxacum officinale (30) Unicaria spp. (26)

Anorexia; Biliary disorders; Dyspepsia; Edema; Allergic reaction; Biliary inflammation; Hepatic disorders; Urinary tract infection Biliary obstruction; Dermatitis Dyspepsia; Cancer; Contraceptive; HIV infection; Immune stimulant; Inflammation; Inflammatory bowel disease; Nausea; Viral disorders Urinary incontinence; Urinary tract infection; Urinary tract infection-prevention** Diarrhea; Hypotension

Diuretics

Antihypertensives; Antithrombotic agents

Vaccinium macrocarpon (8) Vaccinium myrtillus (14) Valeriana spp. (10) Vitex vinifera (15) Zingiber officinale (18)

Cranberry Bilberry, bog bilberry, European blue berry, huckleberry, whortle berry, Myrtilis fructus Valerian, all-heal, amantilla, garden valerian, heliotrope Grape seed, grape seed extract Ginger, ginger root

None noted

None noted Anti-thrombotic agents

Diabetic retinopathy +/-; Diarrhea; Stomatitis/ None noted pharyngitis; Vision-enhances night vision* +/-; Wound healing Anxiety; Dysmenorrhea; Insomnia***; Irritable Drowsiness; Dyspepsia, nausea bowel disease Anti-oxidant; Arteriosclerosis; Inflammation; Varicosities; Wound healing Arthritis*; Dyspepsia; Hyperemesis gravidarium***; Inflammation*; Motion sickness**; Nausea** +/-; Vomiting None noted Cardiac arrhythmias (large doses); CNS depression (large doses); Uterine stimulant (large doses) +/-

Alcohol; Barbiturates; Benzodiazepines; Sedatives None noted Anti-thrombotic agents

Key: Number in parentheses after Botanical name is rank/order based on dollars sold in the United States, 2002. Herbs sold primarily as supplements or teas are not included in this ranking. (1) Level of Evidence: [No stars] folk use, theoretical; [*] anecdotal, case reports; [**] animal studies, few human studies;[***] randomized human trials [+/-] conflicting studies. Compiled by Lane P. Johnson, MD, MPH, Director, Drug/Herb Core, Arizona Center for Education and Research in Therapeutics, Tucson, Arizona, 2005. Further information can be found at the AZCERT Website: http://www.arizonacert.org/ / , or in Pocket Guide to Herbal Remedies, Blackwell Science, 2002. This table is provided for informational purposes only and is not designed to be used for the treatment of diseases or conditions. 2005 Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of The University of Arizona.