used for colds, flu, and infections, skin problems (acne), thought to stimulate the immune
system to fight infection ✔✔ Echinacea
reported to lower cholesterol, decrease blood pressure, and reduce heart disease
used to prevent cancer of the stomach and colon
cautioned not to take garlic if they have a bleeding disorder ✔✔ Garlic
used to treat postoperative, pregnancy-related, and chemotherapy-related nausea as well as
motion sickness and diarrhea, may provide relief from pain, swelling, and stiffness of both
osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. ✔✔ Ginger
treat ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, fatigue, and tinnitus,
used to improve memory, prevent Alzheimer disease and other dementias, decrease
intermittent claudication, and as a treatment for sexual dysfunction and multiple sclerosis ✔✔
Ginkgo
said to boost the immune system, increase a person's sense of well-being, and increase stamina
used to treat erectile dysfunction, hepatitis C, and menopausal symptoms and to lower glucose
and blood pressure ✔✔ Ginseng
used in the treatment of heart disease (e.g., heart failure and angina). It has also been used to
treat digestive issues and kidney disease ✔✔ Hawthorn
used to treat stomach ulcers, bronchitis, sore throat, and viral hepatitis ✔✔ Licorice Root
, used widely to treat cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, and gallbladder disorders. It has also seen use in
the treatment of elevated cholesterol and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes ✔✔ Milk Thistle
used to treat a wide variety of ailments, from nausea, indigestion, and irritable bowel syndrome
(IBS) to cold symptoms, headaches, and muscle and nerve pain ✔✔ Peppermint
treat mental disorders and nerve pain,
also been used as a treatment for malaria, sleep disorders, and wounds ✔✔ St. John's Wort
used for heartburn, stomach ulcers, gallstones, inflammation, and cancer. ✔✔ Turmeric
treatment of insomnia; it has also been used to treat anxiety, headaches, depression, irregular
heartbeat, and tremors. ✔✔ Valerian
Some herbal products can affect lab results,
Many products may interfere with absorption, breakdown,
and excretion of anesthetics, anticoagulants, and other drugs
used in surgery ✔✔ Potential Hazards of Herbs
encourages organizations to avoid using punitive approaches in reporting drug errors because
they focus on punishing individuals for reporting such errors ✔✔ Just Culture
Sublingual, buccal
- Oral
› Tablets, capsules; liquids, suspensions, elixirs
- Transdermal, topical
- Instillation