Interaction of herbs with analgesics, diuretics and other drugs

Herbs, although natural and used for centuries, can be detrimental to our health. We should keep this in mind when we turn to herbal teas and natural supplements, which are often used to support the treatment of various diseases.

Some herbs can threaten our health and life - if used incorrectly, they can interact with drugs, causing various side effects, as well as interfere with the action of pharmaceuticals, for example, weaken the effect of medications taken.

Herbal preparations are sometimes considered completely harmless to health. This misconception is a common cause of herbal side effects. If you use eg. anticoagulants, analgesics, antidepressants, high blood pressure or diuretics, you are pregnant or on hormone replacement therapy, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist before using herbs.

The use of herbs can also be dangerous when taking hormonal contraceptives. It is worth knowing that some herbs weaken the effect of hormonal contraception.

Interactions of drugs with herbs - basic information

The adverse interaction of herbs with synthetic drugs is increasingly causing health problems. This is not only due to the belief that herbs do not harm, but also to the huge popularity of herbal medicines, which have been returning to favorites for several years now. Unfortunately, the use of herbal preparations requires knowledge and experience. This applies both to the use of herbs for preventive purposes, and the combination of herbal treatment with the use of synthetic drugs, for example, in chronic diseases.

Herbal preparations contain in their composition various organic chemicals, the action of which is similar to the action of pharmaceutical preparations. Moreover, the wrong combination of various herbs or the use of them in excessive amounts can further impair health, cause unpleasant ailments and increase the risk of disorders from various organs and systems. The risk of herbal drug interactions is increased with continued use of herbal and pharmaceutical products and concomitant use of prescription and over-the-counter drugs and herbs.

forbidden herbs during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the use of medicines and herbs should always be consulted with a doctor! Pregnant women should categorically refrain from using, among other things:

• medicinal sage (Salvia officinalis L.),

• yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.),

• ginseng (Panax ginseng),

• ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo biloba),

• echinacea purpurea (Echinacea purpurea),

• aloe vera (Aloe barbadenis),

• thyme (common thyme).

Herbs and painkillers

Analgesics, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic interact with various herbs. Herbs to avoid when using ibuprofen, paracetamol, aspirin, diclofenac, and ketoprofen include: Japanese ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), which can cause irritation of the stomach lining and bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract.

When taking acetylsalicylic acid, it can also be dangerous to use preparations with garlic (Allium sativum), which can increase bleeding. Taking paracetamol and eating garlic increases the risk of liver damage. In addition, you should avoid taking valerian (Valeriana officinalis) while taking pain medications.

Herbs and diuretics

Most herbs have diuretic properties, which makes them enhance the action of diuretics. What’s more, herbs can increase potassium excretion. On the other hand, an increased excretion of this element causes, among other things, painful muscle spasms and heart rhythm disturbances.

Herbs that enhance the effect of diuretics include::

• aloe vera (Aloe barbadenis),

• licorice smooth (Glycyrrhiza L.),

• ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo biloba),

• sea ​​buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica),

• palmate (Rheum palmatum).

When using the above herbs, potassium excretion increases, but diuretics and other diuretic herbs are dangerous when taking diuretics, the use of which increases the risk of side effects and can lead to dehydration.

Using herbs with sedatives and antidepressants

When taking sedatives and antidepressants, herbal preparations containing, among other things, should not be used:

• Valerian officinalis (Valeriana officinalis),

• St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum),

• deadly nightshade (Atropa belladona),

• ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo biloba),

• ginseng (Panax ginseng),

• chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla).

Herbs not recommended in the treatment of hypertension and heart disease

People taking medications for heart and circulatory diseases (such as medications for hypertension) should avoid many herbs. These include, among others:

• aloe vera (Aloe barbadenis),

• double-necked hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata),

• lying root (Harpagophyti procumbens),

• licorice smooth (Glycyrrhiza L.),

• spring lovebird (Adonis vernalis),

• rauwolfia (serpentine rauwolfia).

Herbs and anticoagulants

The use of certain herbs with anticoagulants can interfere with their mechanism of action and cause spontaneous bleeding. Moreover, herbs can cause serious surgical complications, increasing the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Valerian officinalis (Valeriana officinalis) can prolong the effect of anesthesia and enhance the effect of local anesthetics.

Herbs that interact with anticoagulants include::

• garlic (Allium sativum),

• St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum),

• ginseng (Panax ginseng),

• ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo biloba),

• medical ginger (Zingiber officinal).

Herbs interacting with hormone replacement therapy and birth control

Taking hormonal contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy for women also requires the rejection of certain herbs. We include among others:

• St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum),

• licorice smooth (Glycyrrhiza L.).

Some herbal mixtures and nutritional supplements may also contain substances that interact with drugs that have immunostimulatory effects (for example, Echinacea purpurea (Echinacea purpurea)). Herbs also interact with medications used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma (such as digitalis purpurea and sea onion (Drimia maritime)).

Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before using herbs for acute and chronic conditions!

Sources:

• J. Drozd, Yesterday and Today of Phytotherapy, Medical Review of the University of Rzeszow and the National Medical Institute in Warsaw, Rzeszow, 2012, 2, pp. 245–251.

• Andrzej Habior, Herbs and Dietary Supplements and the Risk of Liver Damage, Gastroenterologia Kliniczna 2012, Volume 4, Number 2, pp. 59–68.