Nutrition: Week Six

Natural Products and Herbal Therapies

Aloe, aloe vera

Topically, aloe has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Soothes pain. Heals burns. Softens skin. Orally, aloe has laxative effects.

ADVERSE EFFECTS AND PRECAUTIONS:

Skin preparations: Possible hypersensitivity
Oral preparations: Possible fluid and electrolyte imbalances, abdominal cramping
Avoid in clients who have kidney disorders and history of cardiac disorders.

INTERACTIONS: Interacts with digoxin, diuretics, corticosteroids and antidysrhythmics.

ADMINISTRATION: Teach clients to recognize manifestations of fluid and electrolyte imbalance if using as a laxative

Black cohosh

Acts as an estrogen substitute, Treats manifestations of menopause.

ADVERSE EFFECTS AND PRECAUTIONS:

GI distress, lightheadedness, headache, rash, weight gain.

Avoid taking during pregnancy, especially the first two trimesters of pregnancy. Limit use to no longer than 6 months due to lack of information regarding long-term effects.

INTERACTIONS: Increases effects of antihypertensive medications. Can increase effect of estrogen medications. Increases hypoglycemia in clients taking insulin or other medications for diabetes

ADMINISTRATION: Question clients who take antihypertensives, insulin, or hypoglycemic agents, or clients who might be pregnant about possible use of black cohosh.

Echinacea

Stimulates the immune system. Decreases inflammation. Topically heals skin disorders, wounds, and burns. Possibly treats viruses (common cold, herpes simplex). Used to increase T lymphocyte, tumor necrosis factor, and interferon production.

ADVERSE EFFECTS: Bitter taste. Mild GI manifestations or fever. Allergic reactions, especially in clients who are allergic to plants (ragweed or others in the daisy family)

INTERACTIONS: With chronic use (more than 6 months), echinacea can decrease positive effects of medications for tuberculosis, HIV, or cancer.

ADMINISTRATION: Echinacea is available in many forms, including dried roots, plants, extracts, and teas. Question clients who have tuberculosis, cancer, HIV, lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis about concurrent use. Advise these clients to talk to the provider.

Feverfew

Can block platelet aggregation. Can block a factor that causes migraines. Can decrease the number and severity of migraine headaches (does not treat an existing migraine).

ADVERSE EFFECTS AND PRECAUTIONS: Mild GI manifestations. Post feverfew syndrome can occur when abruptly discontinued, causing agitation, tiredness, inability to sleep, headache, and joint discomfort. Allergic reactions in clients allergic to ragweed or echinacea.

INTERACTIONS: Can cause increased risk of bleeding in clients taking NSAIDs, heparin, and warfarin.

ADMINISTRATION: Question clients about concurrent use of NSAIDs, heparin, and warfarin. Discontinue 2 weeks before elective surgery.

Click to play a matching review

Click Here

Garlic

Blocks LDL cholesterol and raises HDL cholesterol; lowers triglycerides. Suppresses platelet aggregation and disrupts coagulation. Acts as a vasodilator (can lower blood pressure).

ADVERSE EFFECTS: GI manifestations, bad breath, and body odor.

INTERACTIONS: Due to antiplatelet qualities, can increase risk of bleeding in clients taking NSAIDs, warfarin, and heparin, Decreases levels of saquinavir (a medication for HIV treatment) and cyclosporine.

ADMINISTRATION: Question clients about concurrent use of NSAIDs, heparin, and warfarin. Have clients who are taking antiplatelet or anticoagulant medication, cyclosporine, or saquinavir contact their provider.

Ginger root

Relieves vertigo and nausea. Increases intestinal motility. Increases gastric mucous production. Decreases GI spasms. Produces an anti-inflammatory effect. Suppresses platelet aggregation. Used to treat morning sickness, motion sickness, nausea from surgery. Can decrease pain and stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis.

ADVERSE EFFECTS AND PRECAUTIONS: Use cautiously in clients who are pregnant because high doses can cause uterine contractions. Potential CNS depression and cardiac dysrhythmias with excessive ingestion.

INTERACTIONS: Interacts with medications that interfere with coagulation (NSAIDS, warfarin, and heparin). Can increase hypoglycemic effects of antidiabetic medications.

ADMINISTRATION: Question clients about concurrent use with NSAIDs, heparin, and warfarin. Monitor for hypoglycemia if the client takes insulin or other medication for diabetes.

Ginkgo biloba

Promotes vasodilation: Decreases leg pain caused from occlusive arterial disorders. Decreases platelet aggregation: Can decrease risk of thrombosis. Decreases bronchospasm. Increases blood flow to the brain: Claims to improve memory (dementia, Alzheimer’s disease), have not been proven.

ADVERSE EFFECTS AND PRECAUTIONS: Mild GI upset, headache, lightheadedness, which can be decreased by reducing dose. Should be taken with caution in clients at risk for seizures.

INTERACTIONS: Can interact with medications that lower the seizure threshold (antihistamines, antidepressants, and antipsychotics). Can interfere with coagulation.

ADMINISTRATION: Question clients regarding history of antidepressant use (imipramine), which causes a decrease in seizure threshold. Question clients about concurrent use with NSAIDs, heparin, and warfarin.

Click to review adverse effects & precautions

Glucosamine

Stimulates cells to make cartilage and synovial fluid. Suppresses inflammation of the joints and cartilage degradation. Treats osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, and wrist. This supplement is often taken with chondroitin.

ADVERSE EFFECTS AND PRECAUTIONS: Mild GI upset (nausea, heartburn). Use with caution in clients who have a shellfish allergy.

INTERACTIONS: Avoid use if taking antiplatelet or anticoagulant medication due to increased risk of bleeding.

ADMINISTRATION: Question clients about concurrent use with NSAIDs, heparin, and warfarin.

NM0055L600HL000055PK000122GLUCOSAMINECHONDCOMPLEXMSM_front_576x.webp

Kava

Causes liver injury.

Promotes sleep. Decreases anxiety. Promotes muscle relaxation without affecting concentration.

ADVERSE EFFECTS AND PRECAUTIONS: Chronic use causes dry, flaky skin and jaundice. Chronic use and large doses can cause liver damage, including severe liver failure.

INTERACTIONS: Can cause sedation when taken concurrently with CNS depressants.

ADMINISTRATION: Question clients taking any CNS depressant, including alcohol, about use of kava. Ask clients who have any liver condition about concurrent use.

St. John's wort

Affects serotonin, producing antidepressant effects. Used for mild depression. Used orally as an analgesic to relieve pain and inflammation. Applied topically to treat infection.

ADVERSE EFFECTS: Mild adverse effects, including dry mouth, lightheadedness, constipation, GI upset. Skin rash with client exposure to sunlight.

INTERACTIONS: Should not be combined with antidepressants, amphetamine, and cocaine. Decreases effectiveness of oral contraceptives, cyclosporine, warfarin, digoxin, calcium channel blockers, steroids, HIV protease inhibitors, and some anticancer medications.

ADMINISTRATION: Question clients taking any of the medications with which this substance interacts about concurrent use. Encourage clients using St. John’s wort to prevent prolonged sun exposure and use sunscreen.

Saw palmetto

Can decrease prostate manifestations of hyperplasia.

ADVERSE EFFECTS AND PRECAUTIONS: Few adverse effects; can cause mild GI effects.

INTERACTIONS: Possible additive effects with finasteride. Can interact with antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications.

ADMINISTRATION: Question clients about use before prostate-specific antigen tests. Question clients about concurrent use with aspirin, heparin, and warfarin. Use with caution if pregnant.

Valerian

Increases GABA to prevent insomnia (similar to benzodiazepines). Reduces anxiety related restlessness. Drowsiness effect increases over time.

ADVERSE EFFECTS AND PRECAUTIONS: Can cause drowsiness, lightheadedness, depression. Risk of physical dependence.

PRECAUTION: Clients who have mental health disorders should use with caution. Should be avoided by clients who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

INTERACTIONS: It is not known if valerian potentiates effects of CNS depressants.

ADMINISTRATION: Clients taking valerian should be warned about the possibility of drowsiness when operating motor vehicles and other equipment.