Dietary Supplement and Herb Chart Name of HerbTherapeutic UseScientific Studies That Show Efficacy for Any of the Therapeutic UsesCautions and Warnings or Side Effects GlucosamineGlucosamine is used in the treatment of- •Osteoarthritis •Knee pain •Back pain •Glaucoma (National Institutes of Health, 2011). Lee, Woo, Choi, Ji, and Song, (2010) through a meta-analysis study examined the effect of glucosamine on osteoarthritis progress. Study findings concluded that glucosamine can delay the natural progression of the disease. Safe for short-term use. •Can cause bloating, gas, and cramps •May raise blood sugars in diabetics May cause allergic reactions if a person is sensitive to shellfish •Do not use if pregnant of have asthma •May interact with medications including coumadin, and diabetic medication (NIH, 2011). EchinaceaEchinacea is used in the treatment and prevention of- •Colds and flu •Stimulates the immune system •Less commonly used for wounds, and skin problems (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine [NCCAM], 2011).
Shah, Sander, White, Rinaldi, and Coleman (2007) performed a meta-analysis study involving 14 previous studies to evaluate the effect echinacea had on the common cold.The results of this study showed that by taking echinacea ir reduced one's chance of developing the cold by 58% and reduced the duration of the cold. •Allergic reactions, rashes, induces asthma, anaphylaxis, and gastrointestinal problems •Should be avoided in individuals who are allergic to plants in the daisy family, and in individuals with asthma and atopy (NCCAM, 2011). GarlicGarlic is used therapeutically in the treatment of- •High cholesterol •Heart disease •Hypertension •Prevent cancers such as stomach and colon cancer (NCCAM, 2011).Fleischauer and Lenore (2001) on reviewing numerous studies published epidemiologic evidence showing that garlic possesses potential anticarcinogens that inhibit neoplastic growth in the stomach and in the colon. Raw garlic can cause- •Breath and body odor •Heartburn •Upset stomach •Allergic reactions Garlic may also- •Reduces the ability of the blood to clot •Can interfere with the effectiveness of certain drugs such as saquinavir (used in the treatment of HIV) (NCCAM, 2011).
GingerGinger is used therapeutically in the treatment of- •Stomach aches, nausea, and diarrhea in Asian medicine In the United States it is found in numerous digestive, antinausea, and cold/flu dietary supplements •Used to alleviate nausea resulting from surgery, pregnancy, chemotherapy, and caused by motion •Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, joint, and muscle pain (NCCAM, 2011). Evaluation of double blind randomized controlled trials studying the effectiveness of ginger to relieve nausea and vomiting in pregnancy concluded that ginger was a safe and effective treatment for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (Walling, 2005). If ginger is taken in small doses side effects are minimal.Most common side effects reported include- •Gas •Bloating, • Heartburn, •Nausea (associated with ginger in powder form) (NCCAM, 2011). Ginkgo bilobaGinkgo is used therapeutically in the treatment of- •Asthma •Bronchitis •Fatigue •Tinnitus •Improve memory (Alzheimers and dementia) •To decrease intermittent claudication •Treat sexual dysfunction (NCCAM, 2011). A multivariate analysis of a case control study of 1462 elderly woman over the age of 75 concluded that women who took ginkgo biloba were less at risk of developing alzheimers or dementia (Andrieu, Gillette, Amouyal, ; Nourhasheim, 2003).
Side effects include - •Headache •Nausea •Gastrointestinal upset •Diarrhea •Dizziness •Allergic skin reactions •Effects blood clotting •Raw and roasted ginkgo seeds can cause seizures and death (NCCAM, 2011). KavaKava is used therapeutically to- •Assist individuals fall asleep, fight fatigue, to treat asthma and urinary tract infections •Topically it serves as a numbing agent •Primarily used for anxiety, insomnia, and menopausal symptoms (NCCAM, 2011).Cassileth (2011) presented research and a scientific study to show that compounds called kavalactones cause skeletal muscle relaxation, non-narcotic anesthetic effects, and local anesthetic effects. Data also supported kavas efficacy against anxiety. •Liver damage, hepatitis, and liver failure •Associated with dystonia (muscle spasms). May interact with certain drugs including those administered for Parkinson's •Long-term use produces scaly, yellow skin •Causes drowsiness (NCCAM, 2011).
LavenderLavender is used therapeutically as- •An antiseptic Used in the treatment of anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and depression •Also used for headaches, upset stomach, and hair loss (NCCAM, 2011). Soden, Vincent, Craske, Lucas, and Ashley (2004) performed a study observing the effects of massage using lavender on hospital patients. Outcomes were measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of pain intensity, the Verran and Snyder-Halpern (VSH) sleep scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) . Statistically significant results were noted that lavender massages decreased insomnia, and alleviated depression. Topically applied lavender may irritate the skin •Poisonous if taken orally •Can cause breast growth in young boys when applied topically •If taken with sedative may increase drowsiness (NCCAM, 2011).
St. John’s wortSt. John's Wort is used therapeutically to- •Treat mental disorders and nerve pain •As a sedative, treat malaria as well as serve as balm for wounds, burns, and insect bites •Depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders (NCCAM, 2011). Lawvere and Mahoney (2005) cite numerous studies indicating that St.John's Wort is equivalent to standard prescribed anti-depressants for the treatment of mild to moderate depression. •Increased sensitivity to sunlight •Anxiety, dry mouth, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue, headache, and sexual dysfunction •Interacts with other medications interfering with their intended effects- antidepressants, birth control pills, digoxin, Indinavir, Irinotecan, dilantil, phenobarbital, warfarin, and cyclosporine •Taking with antidepressants can increase serotonin related side effects (NCCAM, 2011).
Fish oilFish oil is used therapeutically in- Cardiac conditions •Lowers blood pressure •Lowers triglyceride levels •Glaucoma •Kidney disease •Diabetes •Osteoporosis •Asthma •Coordination disorders (NIH, 2011). The American Dietetic Association (2003) states that scientific literature shows that patients with kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis benefit from fish oil supplements as it- •Assist in treating uremic pruritis •Prevents vascular access graft thrombosis •Decrease erythropoietin requirements •Improves serum albumin levels •Reduces associated cardiac risks Safe for most individuals including pregnant women if taken in low dosages.Side effects include- •Belching, bad breath, nausea, loose stools, and rash •High doses can prevent blood from clotting and reduce the immune system's ability to fight infection •Fish oil may reduce vitamin E levels, and can interact with drugs such as birth control pills, and antihypertensive drugs (NIH, 2011). Reference American Dietetic Association. (2003, September).
Benefits of fish oil supplementation for hemodialysis patients. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 103(9), 1174-1177. Andrieu, S. , Gillette, S. , Amouyal, K.
, ; Nourhasheim, F. (2003, April).https://nccih.nih.
gov/health/echinacea/ataglance.htmhttps://nccih.nih.gov/health/garlic/ataglance.
htmhttp:// www. nccam. nih. gov/health/ginger/https://nccih.nih.gov/health/ginkgo/ataglance.htmhttps://nccih.nih.gov/health/kavahttps://nccih.nih.gov/health/lavender/ataglance.htmhttps://nccih.nih.gov/health/stjohnswort/ataglance.htmhttps://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/794.htmlhttps://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/747.html