86 Alternative and Complementary Approaches
Name Common Uses/Benefits Risks/Side Effects
GINGER(Zingiber officinale) relieve general NAUSEA, nausea of CHEMOTHERAPY, may interfere with anticoagulant
MORNING SICKNESS, motion sickness, and medications and ASPIRIN THERAPY
digestive upset may cause excessive bleeding
GINKGO BILOBA relieve symptoms of RAYNAUD’S SYNDROME, interferes with numerous medications
INTERMITTENT CLAUDICATION, and ALZHEIMER’S including anticoagulants,
DISEASE antihypertensives, thiazide diuretics,
may improve PVD, CAD, and atherosclerosis prochlorperazine, trazodone
interferes with aspirin therapy
GINSENG(Panax ginseng, improved mental clarity and focus, memory interferes with loop diuretics
Panax quinquefolius) general immune system support can result in excitability and insomnia
improved INSULINsensitivity when combined with CAFFEINE
aphrodisiac
GLUCOSAMINE reduce inflammation and relieve pain of may cause gastrointestinal upset
osteoarthritis interferes with loop diuretics
relieve chronic BACK PAIN
may prevent or reverse damage to joint tissues
GOLDENSEAL(Hydrastis topical and systemic antibiotic none known
canadensis) general immune system support
relieve digestive upset
relieve and help heal canker sores
increase resistance to URINARY TRACT
INFECTION(UTI)
GREEN TEA(Camellia sinensis) prevent development and spread of CANCER contains significant amount of caffeine
lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
cholesterol
improve circulation
strengthen TEETHand resist bacterial MOUTH
infections
LUTEIN preserve macular structure and function, none known
protect vision, prevent cataracts
LYCOPENE prevent development and spread of PROSTATE none known
CANCER
preserve retinal function and protect vision
MELATONIN relieve insomnia causes strong drowsiness
prevent jet lag numerous medication interactions
alter sleep patterns to accommodate shift work may raise blood pressure
should not take with diabetes,
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE(CVD), kidney
disease