From the office of Robert S. Grimshaw Jr MD FACP Internal Medicine 3535 Hill Blvd Yorktown Hts NY 914 962-3180 Herbal Toxicities

1999

Our office is frequently asked if there are “any risks” in taking herbs that are available over the counter in health food stores or supermarkets.  The brief answer is “if there are effects, there will be side effects.”

Common name	Botanical name	Purported Use	Toxicity
Aloe General tonic	Aloe vera	Wound healing Nausea/Laxative	Darrhea / vomiting
Black cohosh	Cimicifuga racemosa	Premenstrual syndrome Painful menses Upset stomach	Nausea/vomiting Uterine contractions Slow heart rate
Comfrey	Symphytum officinale	Blood purifier Stomach ulcers Wound healing	Liver toxicity
Echinacea	Echinacea E. purpurea	Immune system booster	Shakes, jitters Skin irritation Shock
Ginseng	Panax ginseng	Aphrodisiac Adaptogen	Hypertension Anxiety/agitation Depression Insomnia
Kava kava	Piper methysticum	Sedative	Skin irritation Hallucinations Shortness of breath
Ma huang	Ephedra sinica	Stimulant Asthma	Mania/psychosis Hypertension Rapid heart beat
Pau d'Arco	Tabebuia impetiginosa T. avellanedae	Blood purifier Cancer cure Immune system booster	Nausea/vomiting Anemia Anticoagulation
Valerian	Valeriana officinalis	Sedative	Involuntary muscle reactions Liver toxicity

Source: March 1997 Internal Medicine News