Dangerous Herb Drug Interactions

Learn what herb drug combinations to avoid.

Many herbs impact a variety of biochemical systems and could have a profound effect on the way drugs exert their activity.

Here are a few of the dangerous herb drug combinations:

Ginkgo and Coumadin

Ginkgo is mostly used to treat dementia or memory loss. It is also used for Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and asthma.

Ginkgo has an impact on blood clotting by affecting something called PAF (platelet activating factor). Combining gingko and Coumadin, a powerful anticoagulant, may increase the risk for bleeding.

Other herbs that may increase the action of Coumadin include cayenne, chamomile, dong quai, Echinacea, feverfew, garlic, ginger, hawthorn, horse chestnut, juniper, and licorice.

Herbs that may counteract Coumadin include ginseng, goldenseal, and pau d’arco. Anyone taking Coumadin and herbs needs to have very careful blood monitoring.

Aspirin has blood thinning power and might also interact with many herbs, including ginkgo, garlic, feverfew, ginger, hawthorn, juniper, and licorice.

Licorice and Lanoxin

Licorice is used to treat coughs, sore throats, and colds. It is also used as a digestive aid.

However, regular long term use of this herbal medicine can deplete the body of potassium. In combination with the heart drug Lanoxin, a low potassium level could disrupt the heart’s regular rhythm.

This interaction is especially dangerous if a person is also taking diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide or Lasix that causes potassium loss.

Strong herbal laxatives such as senna, cascara sagrada, or aloe could throw body electrolytes like potassium out of balance and make the combination of licorice and Lanoxin potentially deadly. Even without Lanoxin, taking licorice with aloe or senna could trigger a life-threatening arrhythmia.

St. John’s Wort and Paxil

St. John’s Wort is mostly used to treat depression and mood swings.

When applied topically, St.John’s Wort has anti-inflammatory properties to treat wounds, burns and hemorrhoids. In the Middle Ages, the Crusaders carried “red oil” (Made by soaking the flowers in olive oils for weeks until oil turns red) with them to use to treat wounds of battle.

However, do not combine St.John’s Wort with any prescription antidepressants, unless a knowledgeable health professional is carefully monitoring your progress.

Also, St. John’s Wort contains hypericin, which reacts to ultraviolet and visible light. When activated, hypericin becomes toxic to the lens and retina of the eye and may increase the risk of cataracts or macular degeneration over time. So some health professionals suggest people taking St. John’s Wort avoid bright sunshine, tanning lamps, and other sources of ultraviolet light.

Kava and Xanax

Another dangerous herb drug combination is Kava and Xanax.

Kava-kava is one of the most sedating herbs people can use to help them sleep or cope with anxiety.

However, do not take Kava-kava if you are currently taking Xanax or any anti-anxiety drugs such as Librium, Valium, Dalmane, Paxipam, Ativan, or Restoril.

Valerian, another herbal sedative, may also interact with these drugs or with kava-kava. Do not mix either of these herbs with each other, with alcohol, or any other sedating compound, including diphenhydramine. This is found is many nighttime pain formulas such as Tylenol PM.

Glucommannan and Diabetes

Glucommannan, a dietary fiber sometimes recommended for weight loss, cam lower blood sugar. Diabetics using this fiber need to monitor blood sugar more closely.

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