| Herb |
Usual Dose |
Proposed Benefits |
Precautions/Side Effects |
| Comfrey (4,8) |
No dose is safe. Should not be taken internally. |
Universal healing properties |
Liver damage |
| Echinacea (1,4) |
500-1000 mg taken three times daily in capsule form |
Prevention of cold and flu symptoms |
Immunosuppression with continuous use (6 to 8 weeks) |
| Feverfew (8) |
50 to 250 mg. dried feverfew leaves daily |
Prevention of migraine headaches |
Changes in heartbeat; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; heartburn;
heavier menstrual flow; inflammation of the lips, mouth and tongue; lightheadedness, mouth ulceration; nausea; skin rash, stomach bloating or gas; upset stomach; weight gain |
| Ginger (8) |
1000 mg taken 30 to 60 minutes prior to travel or before surgery |
Prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness and surgery |
Minor heartburn; may increase chance of bleeding if taken with anticoagulants. |
| Ginkgo (1,4) |
40 mg Ginkgo biloba extract taken three times daily in capsule form |
Promotes vasodilation and improved blood flow both in the arteries and capillaries |
Selective antagonist of platelet aggregation; minor gastrointestinal disturbances;
very large doses may cause restlessness, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting. |
| Saw Palmetto (1,4) |
500-1000 mg taken three times daily in capsule form |
Treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) |
May have a synergistic effect with hormonal therapy used in BPH |
| St. John's Wort (Hypericum) (8) |
300 mg taken three times daily for 4-6 weeks |
Treatment of mild to moderate depression |
May cause skin to be more sensitive to sunlight. Should not be used with MAO inhibitors or SSRIs |
| Valerian (8) |
400-450 mg taken 30 minutes before bedtime |
Treatment of insomnia |
May potentiate the effects of alcohol or central nervous system depressants |
