While herbal home remedies are generally safe and cause few, if any, side effects, herbalists are quick to note that botanical medicines should be used cautiously and knowledgeably. If you are under a doctor’s care for any health condition or are taking any medication, don’t take any herb or use any essential oils without your doctor knowing about it. Some oils and herbs cause negative reactions if you are allergy prone, have major health disorder, taking medication, taking herb or using oil for too long, take too much, or use the herb or oil improperly. If you are pregnant, nursing, or trying to conceive, do not self-treat yourself with any natural remedy without the consent of your obstetrician or midwife.
Essential oils are inhaled or placed on the skin but never taken internally because they are so concentrated that they can be toxic. Never apply essential oils undiluted unless otherwise indicated. Dilute them first in a neutral base, which can be an oil (such as almond), cream, or gel before application. Many essential oils may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction in people with sensitive skin. Before applying any new oil to your skin, always do a patch test. Put a few drops of diluted oil on the back of your wrist. Wait for an hour or more. If any kinds of redness or irritation occur, wash the area along with cold water. For later use, prepare a dilution with half the amount of essential oil or avoid it altogether. Store essential oils in dark bottles, away from light or heat, and out of the reach of children and pets.
Check these safety guidelines, which are based on the advice of experienced herbal healers, before you try the remedies in this book. Below are cautions for the herbs and essential oils mentioned in this book that can potentially cause adverse reactions in some people. Though such occurrences are rare, you should be aware of what they are and discontinue the use of the herb if you experience an unusual re- action. Also, do not exceed the recommended dosage more is not better. With this in mind, you can enjoy the world of herbal healing with confidence.
| Herb (Botanical Name) | Safety Guidelines |
| Aloe (aloe barbadensis) | May delay wound healing; do not use gel externally on any surgical incision; do not ingest the dried leaf, as it is a habit- forming laxative |
| Angelica (angelica archangelica) | Use sparingly and only for short periods of time; increases sun sensitivity |
| Arnica (arnica montana) | Do not use on broken skin |
| Ashwaganda (withania somnifera) | Do not use with barbiturates because it may intensify their effects |
| Basil (ocimum basilicum) | Do not take large amounts (several cups a day) for extended periods |
| Birch (betula spp.) | Do not take if you need to avoid aspirin because its active ingredient, salicin, is related to aspirin |
| Black cohosh {cimicifuga racemosa) | Do not use for more than 6 months |
| Black haw (viburnum prunifouum) | Do not take without medical supervision if you have a history of kidney stones as it contains oxalates, which can cause kidney stones |
| Borage (borago officinalis) | For external use only; long-term use is not recommended |
| Bromelain | Bromelain may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, and heavy menstrual bleeding; do not use it if you are allergic to pineapple; bromelain could increase the risk of bleeding in patients taking aspirin or other blood-thinning drugs |
| Cascara sagrada (rhamnus purshianus) | Do not use if you have any inflammatory condition of the intestines, intestinal obstruction, or abdominal pain; can cause laxative dependency and diarrhea; don’t use for more than 1 4 days |
| Chamomile (matricaria recutita) | Very rarely, can cause an allergic reaction when ingested; people allergic to closely related plants such as ragweed, asters, and chrysanthemums should drink the tea with caution |
| Chasteberry (vitex agnus-castus) | May counteract the effectiveness of birth control pills |
| Comfrey (symphytum officinale) | For external use only; do not use topically on deep or infected wounds because it can promote surface healing too quickly and not allow healing of underlying tissue |
| Dandelion (taraxacum officinale) | If you have gallbladder disease, do not use dandelion root preparations without medical approval |
| Echinacea (echinacea angustifolia,
E. Purpurea, e. Pallida) |
Do not use if allergic to closely related plants such as ragweed, asters, and chrysanthemums; do not use if you have tuberculosis or an autoimmune condition such as lupus or multiple sclerosis because echinacea stimulates the immune system |
| Ephedra (ephedra sinica) | Use only with a qualified health practitioner |
| Eucalyptus (eucalyptus globulus) | Do not use if you have inflammatory disease of 4he bile ducts or gastrointestinal tract or severe liver disease; may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in doses higher than 4 grams a day |
| Fennel (foeniculum vulgare) | Do not use medicinally for more than 6 weeks without supervision by a qualified herbalist |
| Feverfew {chrysanthemum parthenium; tanacetum parthenium) | Fresh leaves can cause mouth sores in some people if chewed |
| Flax (linum usitatissimum) | Do not take if you have a bowel obstruction; take with at least 8 ounces of water |
| Garlic (allium sativum) | Do not use supplements if you’re on anticoagulants or before undergoing surgery because garlic thins the blood and may increase bleeding; do not use if you’re taking hypoglycemic drugs |
| Gentian (gentiana lutea) | May cause nausea and vomiting in large doses; do not use if you have high in blood pressure, gastric or duodenal ulcers, or gastric irritation and inflammation |
| Ginger (zingiber officinale) | May increase bile secretion, so if you have gallstones, do not use therapeutic amounts of the dried root or powder without guidance from a health-care practitioner |
| Ginkgo (ginkgo biloba) | Do not use with antidepressant MAO inhibitor drugs such as phenelzine sulfate (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate), aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, or blood thinning medications such as warfarin (Coumadin); can cause dermatitis, diarrhea, and vomiting in doses higher than 240 milligrams of concentrated extract |
| Goldenseal {hydrastis canadensis) | Do not use if you have high blood pressure |
| Guggul (commiphora mukul) | Rarely, may trigger diarrhea, restlessness, apprehension, or hiccups |
| Hawthorn (crataegus oxycantha; c. Laevigata; c. Monogyna) | If you have a cardiovascular condition, do not take hawthorn regularly for more than a few weeks without medical supervision. You may require lower doses of other medications, such as high blood pressure drugs; if you have low blood pressure caused by heart valve problems, do not use without medical supervision |
| Hops (humulus lupulus) | Do not take if prone to depression; rarely, can cause skin rash, so handle fresh or dried hops carefully |
| Horse chestnut (aesculus hippocastanum) | May interfere with the action of other drugs, especially blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin); may irritate the gastrointestinal tract |
| Horsetail (equisetum spp.) | Do not use tincture if you have heart or kidney problems; may cause a thiamin deficiency; do not take more than 2 grams per day of powdered extract or take for prolonged periods |
| Kava kava (piper methysticum) | Do not take with alcohol or barbiturates; do not take more than the recommended dose on package; use caution when driving or operating equipment as this herb is a muscle relaxant |
| Korean ginseng; often referred to as ginseng (panax ginseng) | May cause irritability if taken with caffeine or other stimulants; do not take if you have high blood pressure |
| Licorice (glycyrrhiza glabra) | Do not use if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, liver or kidney disorders, or low potassium levels; do not use daily for more than 4 to 6 weeks because overuse can lead to water retention, high blood pressure caused by potassium loss, or impaired heart and kidney function |
| Marshmallow (althaea officinalis) | May slow the absorption of medications taken at the same time |
| Nettle (urtica dioica) | If you have allergies, your symptoms may worsen, so take only one dose a day for the first few days |
| Oatstraw also oats (avena sativa) | Do not use if you have celiac disease (gluten intolerance), as it contains gluten, a grain protein |
| Parsley (petroseunum crispum) | If you have kidney disease, do not use large amounts (several cups a day) because it increases urine flow; safe as a garnish or ingredient in food |
| Pygeum (pygeum africanum) | May cause nausea and stomach pain |
| Rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis) | May cause excessive menstrual bleeding |
| Sage (salvia officinalis) | Used in therapeutic amounts, can increase sedative side effects of drugs; do not use if you’re hypoglycemic or undergoing anticonvulsant therapy |
| St. John’s wort (hypericum perforatum) | Do not use with antidepressants without medical approval; may cause photosensitivity; avoid overexposure to direct sunlight |
| Sassafras (sassafras albidum) | Long-term use is not recommended; do not take more than the recommended dose |
| Saw palmetto (serenoa repens) | Consult your doctor if using to treat an enlarged prostate |
| Senna (cassia senna) | Do not use if you have a bowel obstruction; take 1 hour after other drugs; take with at least 8 ounces of water |
| Turmeric (curcuma domestica) | Do not use as a home remedy if you have high stomach acid or ulcers, gallstones, or bile duct obstruction |
| Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) | Do not use with sleep-enhancing or mood-regulating medications because it may intensify their effects; may cause heart palpitations and nervousness in sensitive individuals; if such stimulant action occurs, discontinue use |
| White willow (salix alba) | Do not take if you need to avoid aspirin, especially if you are taking blood-thinning medication such as warfarin (Coumadin) because its active ingredient is related to aspirin; may interact with barbiturates or sedatives such as aprobarbital (Amytal) or alprazolam (Xanax); can cause stomach irritation when consumed with alcohol; do not give to children under age 16 who have any viral infection; may contribute to Reye’s syndrome, which affects the brain and liver |
| Yarrow (achillea millefolium) | Rarely, handling flowers can cause skin rash |
| Yellow dock (rumex crispus) | If you have a history of kidney stones, do not take without medical supervision, as it contains oxalates and tannins that may adversely affect this condition |
| Yohimbe (pausinystalia yohimbe) | Use only with a qualified health practitioner |
| Essential Oils | Safety Guidelines |
| Bay | Use in moderation and not for more than 2 weeks without the guidance of a qualified practitioner |
| Bergamot | Avoid direct sunlight after topical application because skin sensitivity can occur (except bergapten-free type) |
| Cinnamon | Do not use for more than 2 weeks without the guidance of a qualified practitioner |
| Clove | Use in moderation and not for more than 2 weeks without the guidance of a qualified practitioner; can be used undiluted for tooth pain |
| Eucalyptus | Use in moderation and not for more than 2 weeks without the guidance of a qualified practitioner |
| Laurel | Use in moderation and not for more than 2 weeks without the guidance of a qualified practitioner because it causes lethargy and unconsciousness |
| Lavender | Can be used undiluted, but keep it away from your eyes |
| Lemon | Avoid direct sunlight after topical application because skin sensitivity can occur |
| Lemongrass | Topical use only don’t inhale |
| Ravensara | Do not use for more than 2 weeks without the guidance of a qualified practitioner |
| Rosemary | Do not use if you have hypertension (high blood pressure); do not use if you have epilepsy, due to the powerful action on the nervous system |
| Sage (clary) | Do not use with alcohol because it can cause a narcotic effect and exaggerate drunkenness |
| Sandalwood | Can be used undiluted as a perfume, but keep it away from your eyes |
| Tea tree | May be applied undiluted to the skin |
