medicinal herbs and botanicals 85THERAPEUTIC BOTANICALS, HERBS, AND SUPPLEMENTSName Common Uses/Benefits Risks/Side Effects
BILBERRY(Vaccinium myrtillus) improve night vision, prevent AGE-RELATED none known
MACULAR DEGENERATION(ARMD), prevent cataracts,
prevent RETINOPATHYof DIABETES
BLACK COHOSH(Actaea relieve menopausal HOT FLASHES can cause uterine contractions and
racemosa, Cimicifuga racemosa) interfere with oral contraceptives
BOSWELLIA(Boswellia serrata) relieve pain of OSTEOARTHRITIS, RHEUMATOID none known
ARTHRITIS, IRRITABLE BOWEL DISEASE(IBD), and
other AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS
CHAMOMILE(Matricaria recutita) relieve gastrointestinal upset, sleep aid, none known
general relaxation
CHONDROITIN reduce INFLAMMATIONand relieve PAINof may interfere with actions of anticoagulant
osteoarthritis medications
may prevent or reverse damage to JOINT
tissues
COENZYME Q10 lower BLOOD PRESSURE, strengthen force of HEART’s none known
contractions, help heart to recover after HEART
ATTACK, prevent PERIODONTITIS
may prevent cancers and chronic health
conditions related to oxidation
DONG QUAI(Angelica sinensis) relieve menstrual cramps, menopausal may cause STOMACHirritation and
discomforts, and ENDOMETRIOSISsymptoms excessive menstrual bleeding
may interfere with actions of anticoagulant
medications and NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-
INFLAMMATORY DRUGS(NSAIDS)
ECHINACEA(Echinacea prevent or reduce symptoms of upper none known
angustifolia, Echinacea pallida, respiratory infections such as COLDSand
Echinacea purpurea) INFLUENZA(flu)
general IMMUNE SYSTEMsupport
FEVERFEW(Tanacetum relieve migraine HEADACHEand menstrual may cause excessive bleeding
parthenium) discomfort may interfere with anticoagulant
medications, aspirin, and NSAIDs
GARLIC(Allium sativum) lower BLOODcholesterol and risk for interferes with many antihypertensive
ATHEROSCLEROSIS, CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE(CAD), medications
and PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE(PVD) may cause excessive bleeding with
surgery