Aconite | Acontium napellus Acontium kusnezoffi Acontium carmichaelii | Monkshood, wolfsbane caowu, chuanwu, bushi | Topical analgesic, neuralgia, asthma, heart disease | Aconite alkaloids (C19 diterpenoid esters) aconitine | GI upset, dysrhythmias |
Agrimony | Agrimonia eupatoria | Cocklebur, stickwort, liverwort | Catarrh, gallbladder disease, astringent | | Photodermatitis |
Alfalfa | Medicago sativa | | Arthritis, diabetes | l-canavanine | High doses: lupus, pancytopenia |
Aloe | Aloe vera and other spp | Cape, Zanzibar, Socotrine, Curacao, Carrisyn | Heals wounds, emollient, laxative, abortifacient | Anthraquinones, barbaloin, isobarbaloin | GI upset, dermatitis, hepatitis |
Apricot pits | Prunus armeniaca | — | (Laetrile) cancer remedy | Amygdalin | Cyanide poisoning |
Aristolochia | Aristolochia clematis Aristolochia reticulata Aristolochia fangchi | Birthwort, heartwort, fangchi | Uterine stimulant, cancer treatment, antibacterial | Aristolochic acid | Nephrotoxin Renal cancer Retroperitoneal fibrosis |
Artemisia | Artemisia vulgaris Artemisia dracunculus Artemisia lactiflora | Mugwort, felon herb, moxa, guizhou | Depression, dyspepsia, menstrual disorder, abortifacient | Lactones (sesquiterpenes) | GI upset, allergic reaction (skin, pulmonary) |
Astragalus | Astragalus membranaceus | Huang qi, milk vetch root | Immune booster, AIDS, cancer, antioxidant, increase endurance | Astrogalasides, trigonoside, and flavonoid constituent | May alter effectiveness of immunosuppressives (eg, steroids, cyclosporine) |
Atractylis | Atractylis gummifera | Piney thistle | Chewing gum, antipyretic, diuretic, gastrointestinal remedy | Potassium atractylate and gummiferin | Hepatitis, altered mental status, seizures, vomiting, hypoglycemia |
Atractylodes | Atractylodes macrocephala | Baizhu, cangzhu | Appetitie stimulant, diuretic, GI upset | Atractylon, atractylol, atractylenolides | None |
Autumn crocus | Colchicum autumnale | Crocus, fall crocus, meadow saffron, mysteria, vellorita | Gout, rheumatism, prostate, hepatic disease, cancer, gonorrhea | Colchicine | GI upset, renal disease, agranulocytosis |
Bee pollen, royal jelly | Derived from Apis mellifera | — | Increase stamina, athletic ability, longevity | Pollen mixture containing hyperallergenic plant pollen or fungi contamination | Allergic reactions, anaphylaxis |
Bee venom | Derived from Apis mellifera | — | Immunomodulator | Phospholipase A2 and mellitin, hyaluronidases | Allergic reactions, anaphylaxis |
Betel nut | Areca catechu | Areca nut, pinlang, pinang | Stimulant | Arecholine | Possible bronchospasm, chronic use associated with leukoplakia and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma |
Bilberry | Vaccinium myrtillus | Whortleberry, black whortles | Diarrhea, night vision, varicose veins | Anthocyanosides | None reported |
Bitter orange | Citrus aurantia | Changcao, Fructus auranti, green orange, kijitsu, Seville orange, sour orange, Zhi shi | Dyspepsia, increase appetite Weight loss | Synephrines | Cardiovascular toxicity, ephedrinelike effects |
Bitter melon | Momordica charantia | Balsam pear | Abortifacient, diabetes, GI disorder, cancer, HIV therapy | Polysaccharide MAP-30 (protein) | None reported |
Black cohosh | Cimicifuga racemosa | Black snakeroot, squawroot, bugbane, baneberry | Abortifacient, menstrual irregularity, astringent, dyspepsia | Triterpene glycosides | Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache |
Black currant oil | Ribes nigrum | Quinsy berry, squinancy berry | Immunostimulant, premenstrual syndrome | GLA (γ-linolenic acid) ALA (α-linolenic acid) | None reported |
Blue cohosh | Caulophyllum thalictroides | Squaw root, papoose root, blue ginseng | Abortifacient, dysmenorrhea, antispasmodic | N-methylcytisine (2.5% the potency of nicotine) | Nicotinic toxicity |
Boneset | Eupatorium perfoliatum | Thoroughwort, vegetable antimony, feverwort | Antipyretic | Pyrrolizidine alkaloids | Possible hepatotoxicity, dermatitis, milk sickness |
Borage | Borago officinalis | Bee plant, bee bread | Diuretic, antidepressant, antiinflammatory | Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, amabiline | Hepatotoxicity |
Boron | | Boron | Topical astringent, wound remedy | Boron | Dermatitis, GI upset, renal and hepatic toxicity, seizures, coma, death |
Broom | Cytisus scoparius | Scotch broom, Bannal, broom top | Cathartic, diuretic, induce labor, drug of abuse | l-Sparteine | Nicotinic toxicity |
Buchu | Agathosma betulina | Bookoo, buku, diosma, bucku, bucco | Diuretic, stimulant, carminative, urine infections, insect repellent | Diosmin, hesperidin; pulegone | None reported |
Buckthorn | Rhamnus frangula | | Laxative | Anthraquinones | Diarrhea, weakness |
Burdock root | Arctium lappa Arctium minus | Great burdock, gobo, lappa, beggar’s button, hareburr, niu bang zi | Diuretic, cholerectic, induce sweating, skin disorders, burn remedy, diabetes treatment | Atropine (contamination with belladonna alkaloids during harvesting) | Anticholinergic toxicity |
Calendula | Calendula officinalis | Marigold, garden marigold, pot marigold, gold bloom, holligold | Wounds, dysmenorrhea, “radiation” dermatitis | | None reported |
Cantharidin | Cantharis vesicatoria beetle | Spanish fly, blister beetles | Aphrodisiac, abortifacient, blood purifier | Terpenoid: cantharidin | GI upset, urinary tract and skin irritant, renal toxicity |
Caraway | Umbelliferae carvi | | Antispasmodic, carminative | d-Carvone | |
Carp bile (raw) | Ctenopharyngodon idellus Cyprinus carpio | Grass carp Common carp | Improve visual acuity and health | ? Cyprinol, C27 bile alcohol | Hepatitis, renal failure |
Cascara | Rhamnus purshiana | Cascara sagrada | Laxative | Anthraquinones | Diarrhea, weakness |
Cat’s claw | Uncaria tomentosa Uncaria guianensis | Uña de gato | AIDS, cancer, arthritis, ulcers, dysmenorrhea, wounds, contraceptives | Pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids, tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids | None reported |
Catnip | Nepeta cataria | Cataria, catnep, catmint | Indigestion, colic, sedative, euphoriant, headaches, emmenagogue | Nepetalactone | Sedative |
Ch’an Su | Bufo bufo gargarizans Bufo bufo melanosticus | Stone, lovestone, black stone, rock hard, chuan wu, kyushin | Topical anesthetic, aphrodisiac, cardiac disease | Bufodienolides, bufotenin | Dysrhythmias, hallucinations |
Chamomile | Matricaria recutita, Chamaemelum nobile | Manzanilla | Digestive disorders, skin disorders, cramps | Allergens | Contact dermatitis, allergic reaction, anaphylaxis very rare |
Chaparral | Larrea tridentata | Creosote bush, greasewood, hediondilla | Bronchitis, analgesic, anti-aging, cancer | Nondihydroguaiaretic acid | Hepatotoxicity (chronic) |
Chestnut | Chestnut | Horse chestnut, California buckeye, Ohio buckeye, buckeye | Arthritis, rheumatism, varicose veins, hemorrhoids | Esculin, nicotine, quercetin, quercitrin, rutin, saponin, shikimic acid | Fasciculations, weakness, incoordination, GI upset, paralysis, stupor |
Chuen-Lin | Coptis chinensis, Coptis japonicum | Golden thread, Huang-Lien, Ma-Huang | Infant tonic | Berberine: displaces bilirubin from protein | Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia |
Clove | Syzygium aromaticum | Caryophyllum | Expectorant, antiemetic, counterirritant, antiseptic, carminative euphoriant | Eugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol) | Pulmonary toxicity (cigarettes) |
Coltsfoot | Tussilago farfara | Coughwort, horsehoof, kuandong hua | Throat irritation, asthma, bronchitis, cough | Pyrrolizidine alkaloids: tussilagin, senkirkine | Allergy, hepatotoxicity |
Comfrey | Symphytum officinale, Symphytum spp, S. x uplandicum | Knitbone, bruisewort, blackwort, slippery root, Russian comfrey | Ulcers, hemorrhoids, bronchitis, burns, sprains, swelling, bruises | Pyrrolizidine alkaloids: symphytine, echimidine, lasiocarpine | Hepatic veno-occlusive disease |
Compound Q | Trichosanthes kirilowii | Gualougen, GLQ-223, Chinese cucumber root | Fevers, swelling, expectorant, abortifacient, diabetes, AIDS | Trichosanthin | Pulmonary injury (ALI), cerebral edema, cerebral hemorrhage, seizures, fevers |
Cordyceps {mushroom} | Cordyceps sinensis | Dong chong xia cao | General tonic, aphrodisiac, bronchitis, kidney disorders | Cordyceptic acid, Cordycepin | None reported |
Damiana | Turnera diffusa var aphrodisiaca | — | Stimulant, purgative, aphrodisiac, antidepressant | Caryophyllene oxide, caryophyllene, δ-cadinene, elemene, 1,8-cineol | Genitourinary irritation |
Dandelion | Taraxacum officinale | | Diuretic, detoxifying remedy, bitter | Luteolin | None reported |
Deer antler velvet | | | Erectile dysfunction, infertility immunostimulant, antiinflammatory, athletic performance | Small amounts of androstenedione, dihydroepiandrosterone, and testosterone | None reported |
Dong Quai | Angelica polymorpha | Tang kuei, dang gui | Blood purifier, dysmenorrhea, improve circulation | Coumarin, psoralens, safrole in essential oil | Anticoagulant effects, photodermatitis, possible carcinogen in oil |
Echinacea | Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea | American cone flower, purple cone flower, snakeroot | Infections, immunostimulant | Echinacoside | CYP1A2 inhibitor |
Elder | Sambucus spp | Elderberry, sweet elder, sambucus | Diuretic, laxative, astringent, cancer | Isoquercitrin Cyanogenic glycoside: sambunigrin in leaves | GI upset, weakness if uncooked leaves ingested |
Ephedra | Ephedra spp | Ma-huang, Mormon tea, yellow horse, desert tea, squaw tea, sea grape | Stimulant, bronchospasm | Ephedrine, pseudoephedrine | Headache, insomnia, dizziness, palpitations, seizures, stroke, myocardial infarction, death |
Evening primrose | Oenothera biennis | Oil of evening primrose | Coronary disease, multiple sclerosis, cancer, diabetes rheumatoid arthritis, premenstrual syndrome | Cis-γ-linoleic acid | Lower seizure threshold |
Fennel | Foeniculum vulgare | Common, sweet, or bitter fennel | Gastroenteritis, expectorant, emmenagogue, stimulate lactation | Volatile oils: transanethole, fenchone; estrogens: dianethole, photoanethole | Ingestion of volatile oils: vomiting, seizures, pulmonary injury (ALI), dermatitis, estrogen effects |
Fenugreek | Trigonella foenumgraecum | Bird’s foot, Greek hay seed | Expectorant, demulcent, antiinflammatory, emmenanogue, galactogogue, diabetes | 4-hydroxyisoleucine | Hypoglycemia, Hypokalemia |
Feverfew | Tanacetum parthenium | Featherfew, altamisa, bachelor’s button, featherfoil, febrifuge plant, midsummer daisy, nosebleed, wild quinine | Migraine headache, menstrual pain, asthma, dermatitis, arthritis, antipyretic, abortifacient | | Oral ulcerations, “postfeverfew syndrome,” rebound of migraine symptoms, anxiety, insomnia following cessation of chronic use |
Fo-Ti | Polygonum multiflorum | Climbing knotwood, he shou-wu | Scrofula, cancer, constipation therapy, promote longevity | Anthraquinones: chrysophanol, emodin, rhein | Cathartic effects |
Foxglove | Digitalis purpurea, Digitalis lanata, Digitalis lutea, Digitalis spp | Purple foxglove, throatwort, fairy finger, fairy cap, lady’s thimble, scotch mercury, witch’s bells, dead man’s bells | Asthma, sedative, diuretic/cardiotonic, wounds and burns (India) | Cardioactive steroids (eg, digitoxin, gitoxin, digoxin, digitalin, gitaloxin) | Blurred vision, GI upset, dizziness, muscle weakness, tremors, dysrhythmias |
Garcinia | Garcinia cambogia | Brindleberry, hydroxycitric acid | Weight loss | Hydroxycitric acid | May lower serum glucose concentration in diabetics |
Garlic | Allium sativum | Allium, stinking rose, rustic treacle, nectar of the gods, da suan | Infections, coronary artery disease, hypertension | Alliin, Ajoene | Contact dermatitis, gastroenteritis, antiplatelet effects |
Gentian | Gentiana lutea, Gentiana spp | Bitter root, gall weed Longdancao | Bitter, digestive stimulant, emmenagogue | — | None reported |
Germander | Teucrium chamaedrys | Wall germander | Antipyretic, abdominal disorders, wounds, diuretic, choleretic | Furano neoclerodane diterpenes | Hepatotoxicity, hepatitis, cirrhosis |
Ginger | Zingiber officinale | | Carminative, diuretic, antiemetic, stimulant, motion sickness | Volatile oil, phenol | Possible increased risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulants |
Ginkgo | Ginkgo biloba | Maidenhair tree, kew tree, tebonin, tanakan, rokan, kaveri | Asthma, chilblain, digestive aid, cerebral dysfunction | Ginkgo flavone glycosides and terpene lactones (ginkgolides and bilobalide) | Extracts: GI upset, headache, skin reaction; leaf: antiplatelet: allergic reactions |
Ginseng | Panax ginseng Panax quinquefolius Panax pseudoginseng | Ren shen | Respiratory illnesses, gastrointestinal disorders, impotence, fatigue, stress, adaptogenic, external demulcent | Ginsenosides: panaxin, ginsenin | Ginseng abuse syndrome |
Glucomannan | Amorphophallus konjac | Konjac, konjac mannan | Weight-reducing agent: “grapefruit diet,” increase viscosity, decrease gastric emptying | Polysaccharides | Esophageal and lower GI obstruction |
Glucosamine | 2-amino-2-deoxyglucose | Chitosamine | Wound-healing polymer, antiarthritic | Glucosamine | None reported |
Goat’s rue | Galega officinalis | French lilac, French honeysuckle | Antidiabetic | Galegine, paragalegine | Hypoglycemia |
Goji | Lycium barbarum, chinense | Wolfberry, gou qi zi | Protect liver, improve eyesight, enhance immune system | Carotenoids, lutein, atropine | May inhibit warfarin metabolism |
Goldenseal | Hydrastis canadensis | Orange root, yellow root, turmeric root | Astringent, GI disorders, dysmenorrhea | Berberine, hydrastine | GI upset, Very high doses: paralysis and respiratory failure |
Gordolobo yerba | Senecio longiloba Senecio aureu, Senecio vulgaris Senecio spartoides | Groundsel, liferoot | Gargle, cough, emmenagogue | Pyrrolizidine alkaloids | Hepatic venoocclusive disease |
Gotu Kola | Centella asiatica | Hydrocotyle, Indian pennywort, talepetrako | Wound healing, tonic, antibacterial | Asiaticoside, asiatic acid, madecassic acid | Contact dermatitis |
Grape seed | Vitis vinifera | | Antioxidant: antiaging, peripheral vascular disease | Proanthocyanidins | None reported |
Green tea | Camillia sinensis | Green tea | Antioxidant, weight loss, reduce cholesterol | Polyphenols (catechins and epigallocatechin gallate) | Hepatoxicity from green tea extracts |
Hawthorn | Crataegus oxyacantha Crataegus laevigata Crataegus monogyna | English hawthorn, haw, maybush, whitethorn | Hypertension, CHF, dysrhythmias, antispasmodic, sedative | Hyperoside, vitexin, procyanidin | Hypotension, sedation |
Heliotrope | Crotalaria specatabilis, Heliotropium europaeum | Rattlebox, groundsel, viper’s bugloss, bush tea | Cancer | Pyrrolizidine alkaloids | Hepatic venoocclusive disease |
Henbane | Hyoscyamus niger | Fetid nightshade, poison tobacco, insane root, stinky nightshade | Sedative, analgesic, antispasmodic, asthma | Hyoscyamine, hyoscine | Anticholinergic toxicity |
Holly | Ilex aquifolium Ilex opaca Ilex vomitoria | English holly, American holly, and yaupon | Tea, emetic, CNS stimulant, coronary artery disease | Saponins | GI upset |
Hoodia | Hoodia gordonii | Xhooba, khoba, Ghaap, hoodia cactus, South African desert cactus | Weight loss, appetite suppressant | P57 | None reported |
Horny goat weed | Epimedium grandiflorum | Ying yang huo | Aphrodisiac | Icariin | None reported |
Hydrangea | Hydrangea arborescens Hydrangea paniculata | Seven bark, wild hydrangea | Diuretic, stimulant, carminative, cystitis, renal calculi, asthma | Hydrangin, saponin | Dizziness, chest pain, GI upset |
Iboga | Tabernanthe iboga | Ibogaine | Aphrodisiac, stimulant, hallucinogen, addiction treatment | Indole alkaloid: ibogaine | Hallucinations, cholinergic hyperactivity |
Impila | Callipesis laureola | | Zulu traditional remedy | Potassium atractylatelike compound | Vomiting, hypoglycemia, centrilobular hepatic necrosis |
Jalap | Ipomoea purga | — | Cathartic | Convolvulin | Profuse watery diarrhea |
Jimsonweed | Datura stramonium | Datura, stramonium, apple of Peru, Jamestown weed, thornapple, tolguacha | Asthma | Atropine, scopolamine, hyoscyamine, stramonium | Anticholinergic toxicity |
Juniper | Juniperus communis Juniperus macropoda | Oil of sabinol | Tonic, diuretic, urinary antiseptic, emmenogogue, abortifacient | Monoterpenes (terpinen-4-ol) | Renal irritation |
Kava kava | Piper methysticum | Awa, kava-kava, kew, tonga | Relaxation beverage, uterine relaxation headaches, colds, wounds, aphrodisiac | Kava lactones Flavokwain A and B | Mild euphoria, muscle weakness Skin discoloration, hepatic failure |
KH-3 | Procaine HCI | Gerovital-H3, GH-3, Gerovita | Cerebral atherosclerosis, dementia, arthritis, hair loss, hypertension | Procaine | Procaine toxicity |
Khat | Catha edulis | Qut, kat, chaat, Kus es Salahin, Tchaad, Gat | CNS stimulant, depression, fatigue, obesity, ulcers | Cathine, cathinone | Euphoria, dysphoria, stimulation, sedation, psychological dependence, leukoplakia |
Kola nut | Cola acuminata | Botu cola, cola nut | Digestive aid, tonic, aphrodisiac, headache, diuretic | Caffeine, theobromine, kolanin | CNS stimulant |
Kombucha | Mixture of bacteria and yeast | Kombucha tea, kombucha mushroom, Manchurian tea | Memory loss, premenstrual syndrome, cancer | — | Hepatotoxicity/metabolic acidosis |
Levant berry | Anamirta cocculus | Fish killer, fishberry, hockle elderberry, Indian berry, louseberry, poisonberry | Vermifuge, malaria | Picrotoxin | CNS stimulant, GI upset |
Licorice | Glycyrrhiza glabra | Spanish licorice, Russian licorice, gancao | Gastric irritation | Glycyrrhizin | Flaccid weakness, dysrhythmias, hypokalemia, lethargy |
Lipoic acid | | α-Lipoic acid, thioctic acid | Antioxidant, diabetes, neuropathy, AIDS | Lipoic acid | Hypoglycemia |
Lobelia | Lobelia inflata | Indian tobacco | Antispasmodic, respiratory stimulant, relaxant | Pyridine-derived alkaloids (lobeline) | Nicotine toxicity |
Mace | Myristica fragrans | Mace, muscade, seed cover of nutmeg | Diarrhea, mouth sores, insomnia, rheumatism | Myristicin (methoxysafrole) | Hallucinations |
Mandrake | Mandragora officinarum | | Hallucinogen | Atropine, scopolamine, hyoscyamine | Anticholinergic toxicity |
Mate | Ilex paraguayensis | Paraguay tea | Stimulant | Caffeine | Caffeine toxicity |
Milk thistle | Carduus marianus Silybum marinaum | Mary thistle | Liver disease, antidepressant, HIV | Silymarin | None |
Mistletoe | Viscum album Phoradendron leucarpum | Iscador | Antispasmodic, calmative, cancer, HIV | Viscotoxins, lectins | GI upset, bradycardia, delirium |
Morinda | Morinda citrifolia | Noni, Indian mulberry, nonu/nono, mengkudu, bajitian | Antioxidant, stress, depression | Polysaccharides, anthraquinone: damnacanthal | None |
Morning glory | Ipomoea purpurea I. violacea | Heavenly blue, blue star, flying saucers | Hallucinogen | Lysergic acid lamide Ergine | LSD-like toxicity |
Myrrh | Commiphora molmol | Mulmul, ogo, heerabol | Astringent, antiseptic, emmenagogue, antispasmodic, cancer | Sesquiterpenes | None |
Nutmeg | Myristica fragrans | Mace, rou dou kou | Hallucinogen, abortifacient, aphrodisiac, GI disorders, | Myristicin | Hallucinogen, GI upset |
Oleander | Nerium oleander | Adelfa, laurier rose, rosa laurel, rose bay, rose francesca | Cardiac disorders, asthma, corns, cancer, epilepsy | Oleandrin, neriin, Gentiobiosyloeandrin, odoroside A | GI upset, diarrhea, dysrhythmias |
Olive leaf extract | Olea europaea | | Immunostimulant | Oleuropein | |
Ostrich fern | Matteuccia struthipteris | — | Laxative | — | GI upset if eaten undercooked |
Parsley | Petroselinum crispum | Rock parsley, garden parsley | Diuretic, uterine stimulant, abortifacient | Myristicin, apiol, furocoumarin, psoralen | Uterine stimulant, photosensitization |
Passion flower | Passiflora incarnata | Passiflora, maypop | Insomnia, analgesic stimulant | Harmala alkaloids | Sedation |
Pau d’Arco | Tabebuia spp | Ipe roxo, lapacho, taheebo tea | Tonic, “blood builder,” cancer, AIDS | Napthoquinone derivative: lapachol | GI upset anemia, bleeding |
Pennyroyal oil | Hedeoma pulegioides Mentha pulegium | American pennyroyal, Squawmint, mosquito plant | Abortifacient, regulate menstruation, digestive tonic | Cyclohexanone: pulegone | Hepatotoxicity |
Periwinkle | Catharanthus roseus | Red periwinkle, Madagascar or Cape periwinkle, old maid, church-flower, ram-goat rose, “myrtle,” magdalena | Hallucinogen, ocular inflammation, diabetes, hemorrhage, insect stings, cancers | Vincristine, vinblastine Indole alkaloid | Vincristine/vinblastine toxicity |
Podophyllum | Podophyllum peltatum Podophyllum hexandrum Podophyllum emodi | Mandrake, mayapple, American podophyllum Indian podophyllum guijiu | Cathartic, purgative | Podophyllin | Podophyllin toxicity |
Pokeweed | Phytolacca americana Phytolacca decandra | American nightshade, Cancer jalap, inkberry, poke, scoke | Arthritis, emetic, purgative | Saponins: phytolaccigenin, jaligonic acid, phytolaccagenic acid, pokeweed mitogen | Gastroenteritis, blurry vision, weakness, respiratory distress, seizures, leukocytosis |
Pycnogenol (French maritime pine bark extract) | Pinus pinaster | Pine bark extract | Antioxidant, hypertension vascular disease, ADHD | Proanthocyanidins | None reported |
Pygeum | Prunus africana | Pygeum africanum, African prune | Impotence, male infertility, prostate cancer, benign prostatic hypertrophy | β-sitosterol, pentacyclic terpenes, ferulic esters | None reported |
Quinine | Cinchona succirubra Cinchona calisya Cinchona ledgeriana | Red bark, Peruvian bark Jesuit bark, China bark Cinchona bark, quinaquina, fever tree | Malaria, fever, indigestion Cancer Hemorrhoids, varicose veins, abortifacient | Quinine | Cinchonism |
Red bush tea | Aspalathus linearis | Rooibos tea | Anxiety, allergic dermatitis, indigestion | Aspalathin, isoorientin, orientin, rutin | None reported |
Red clover | Trifolium pratense | Trefoil, purple clover, wild clover | Bronchitis, cough, eczema, acne, premenstrual syndrome | Isoflavones: biochanin A and formononetin | None reported |
Rehmannia | Rehmannia glutinosa | Sheng di huang, Chinese foxglove root | Arthritis, asthma, kidney and liver tonic, aplastic anemia, hypopituitarism | Irodoids and iridoid glycosides | None reported |
Reishi mushroom | Ganoderma lucidum | Ling zhi, lucky fungus | Hepatitis, promote longevity | Polysaccharide peptides, triterpenes (ganoderic acid) | None reported |
Rosavin | Rhodiola rosea | Golden root, crenulin | Weight loss, aphrodisiac, adaptogen, improve cognitive function | Loaustralin, rosavin, rosin, rosarin, salidroside | None reported |
Rose hips | Rosa canina | Hip berry, rose haws, rose heps, wild boar fruit | Vitamin C supplement, Upper respiratory infection, diarrhea | Vitamin C, vitamin K | May interfere with warfarin |
Rue | Ruta graveolens | Herb of grace, herb grass | Emmenagogue, antispasmodic, abortifacient | Fucocoumarins, bergapten, xanthoxanthin | Photosensitization |
Sage | Salvia officinalis | Garden sage, true sage, scarlet sage, meadow sage | Antiseptic, astringent, hormonal stimulant, carminative, abortifacient | Camphor, thujone | Seizures |
St. John’s wort | Hypericum perforatum | Klamath weed, John’s wort, goatweed, sho-rengyo | Anxiety, depression, gastritis, insomnia, promote healing, AIDS | Hyperforin, Hypericin | Occasional photosensitization, drug interaction: CYP3A4 |
Salvia | Salvia divinorum Salvia miltiorrhizae | Sierra mazateca, diviners sage, magic mint, Maria pastora | Hallucinogen, renal disease | Salvinorum A Lithospermate B | Hallucinations |
SAM-e | S-adenosyl-l-methionine | | Antidepressant, osteoarthritis, liver disease | S-adenosyl-l-methionine | None reported |
Sassafras | Sassafras albidum | Lauraceae | Stimulant, antispasmodic, purifier | Sassafras oil (80% Safrole) | Hepatotoxicity, carcinogen (?) |
Saw palmetto | Serenoa repens | Sabal, American dwarf palm tree, cabbage palm | Genitourinary disorders, increase sperm production, sexual vigor | 5-α reductase inhibitor | Diarrhea |
Schisandra | Schisandra chinensis | Wu zei zi, five flavored seed | Tonic, aphrodisiac, liver treatment, sedative | Schisandrins, nigranoic acid | None reported |
Scullcap | Scutellaria lateriflora | Skullcap, helmetflower, hood wort | Tranquilizer, tonic, antispasmodic | Flavone glucuronides and flavanone glucuronides | None reported |
Senna | Cassia acutifoli Cassia angustifolia | Alexandrian senna | Stimulant, laxative, diet tea | Anthraquinone, glycosides (sennosides) | Diarrhea, CNS effects |
Shark cartilage | Squalus acanthias Sphyrna lewini | — | Cancer: inhibit tumor angiogenesis | Chondroitin sulfate | None reported |
Siberian ginseng | Eleutherococcus senticos | Devil’s shrub, eleuthra, eleutherococ | Adaptogens, hypertension, immunomodulator | Ginsenosides | None reported |
Slippery elm | Ulmus rubra Ulmus fulva | Elm, elm bark, red elm | Acne, boils, indigestion, abortifacient | Polysaccharide mucilage Oleoresin | Contact dermatitis |
Soapwort | Saponaria officinalis | Bruisewort, bouncing bet, dog cloves, fuller’s herb, latherwort | Acne, psoriasis, eczema, boils, natural soaps | Saponins | Intravenous: highly toxic Oral: None |
SOD | Superoxide dismutase | Orgotein, ormetein, palosein | Improve health, lengthen lifespan, chronic bladder disease, paraquat poisoning | Superoxide dismutase | None reported |
Soy isoflavone | Glycine max | | Menopausal symptoms, heart disease | Phytoestrogens: genistein, daidzein, glycitein | Cancer |
Squill | Urginea maritima Urginea indica | Sea onion Red Squill | Diuretic, emetic, cardiotonic, expectorant | Cardioactive steroid, scillaren A | Emesis, dysrhythmias |
Stephania | Stephania tetranda | Han fang ji | Fever, pain, inflammation, decrease water retention | — | None (misidentification of this herb with aristolochia {Guang fang ji} resulted in cases of Chinese herb nephropathy) |
Stevia | Stevia rebaudiana | Sweet leaf of Paraguay | Sugar-free sweetener, diabetes, hypertension, weight-loss aid | Stevioside | None reported |
T’u-san-chi | Gynura segetum | — | Tea | Pyrrolizidine alkaloids | Hepatic veno-occlusive disease |
Tonka bean | Dipteryx odorata, Dipteryx oppositifolia | Tonquin bean, cumaru | Food, cosmetics | Coumarin | Anticoagulant effect |
Tung seed | Aleurites moluccana A. fordii | Tung, candlenut, candleberry, barnish tree, balucanat, otaheite | Wood preservative (oil), purgative (oil), asthma treatment (seed) | Saponins, phytotoxins, | GI upset, hyporeflexia, death; latex: dermatitis |
Valerian | Valeriana officinalis | Radix valerianae, Indian Valerian, red valerian | Anxiety, insomnia, antispasmodic | — Valepotriates, valerenic acid | Sedation |
Vitex | Vitex agnus-castus | Chasteberry, chaste tree, agnus castus | Premenstrual syndrome, female infertility | — | None reported |
White cohosh | Actaea alba, Actaea rubra | Baneberry, snakeberry, doll’s eyes, coralberry | Emmenagogue | Protoanemonin | Headache, GI upset, delirium, circulatory failure |
White willow bark | Salix alba | Common willow, European willow | Fever, pain astringent | Salicin | Salicylate toxicity |
Wild lettuce | Lactuca virosa Lactuca sativa | Lettuce opium, prickley lettuce | Sedative, cough suppressant, analgesic | — | None reported |
Woodruff | Galium odoratum | Sweet woodruff | Wound healing, tonic, varicose veins, antispasmodic | Coumarin | None reported |
Wormwood | Artemisia absinthium | Absinthes | Sedative, analgesic, antihelminthic | Thujone | Psychosis, hallucinations, seizures |
Yarrow | Achillea millefolium | Bloodwort, carpenter’s grass, dog daisy, nosebleed | Heal wounds, viral symptoms, digestive disorder, diuretic | — | Contact dermatitis |
Yew | Taxus baccata | Yew | Antispasmodic, cancer remedy | Taxine (sodium channel blocker) | Dizziness, dry mouth, bradycardia, cardiac arrest |
Yohimbe | Pausinystalia yohimbe | Yohimbi, yohimbehe | Body building, aphrodisiac, stimulant | Alkaloid yohimbine from bark | Hypertension, abdominal pain, weakness |