Herbal remedies – efficacy and interactions with conventional medicine | T&F

Echinacea should not be used in combination with antibiotics in recurrent upper respiratory tract infections.

Transplant patients on cyclosporine should only use St John’s wort on the advice of a medical practitioner.

Arnica tincture can be used to soothe allergic dermatitis caused by chamomile.

Women on low-dose oral contraception who are contemplating using St John’s wort should be advised to use another form of effective contraception.

Individuals using highly concentrated forms of green tea in tablet or capsule form, rather than tea made from traditional leaves, may require liver function tests.

The use of senna based laxatives and liquorice together may lead to hypertension and oedema.

There is no clinical evidence to support the use of St John’s Wort in the treatment of mild depression.

Black cohosh is a traditional herbal medicinal product for the relief of menopausal complaints.

Echinacea is permitted for use in children under 12 who have a history of coughs and colds.

Some herbs such as blue cohosh are known abortifacients and hence must be avoided by pregnant women.