Heed the Warnings: Popular Herbs That Can Interfere with Medications
You might often think that herbs are harmless, but it’s not always the case. The Netherlands-based College ter Beoordeling van Geneesmiddelen (CBG) has revealed a list of ten popular herbs that can pose serious dangers when taken with certain medications.
These seemingly innocuous herbs can wreak havoc on your body when combined with prescription drugs. They can either boost the absorption of medications, increase their concentration, or accelerate their breakdown, potentially altering their effectiveness or leading to serious side effects.
Gitte Tiesjema, a researcher at the CBG, warns, "Many people assume that herbs are safe because they’re natural, but they fail to realize that they can disrupt the balance of medications, and maintaining that balance is crucial."
Previous studies have shown that turmeric (curcumin) can negatively interact with a specific breast cancer drug. St. John’s wort, meanwhile, has been found to speed up the breakdown of chemotherapy drugs and is not recommended for people taking antidepressants, as it may worsen depression.
The CBG advises caution with the following ten herbs:
- American Ginseng – Can affect blood sugar levels and interact with medications for diabetes.
- Danshen (Red Sage) – May interfere with blood thinners and other heart medications.
- Turmeric (Curcumin) – Can enhance the effects of blood thinners and antiplatelet drugs.
- Green Tea – High in caffeine and can interact with stimulants and medications broken down by the liver.
- Ginkgo Biloba – May increase the risk of bleeding when taken with blood thinners.
- Garlic (Knoflook) – Can interfere with blood thinners and increase the risk of bleeding.
- Milk Thistle (Mariadistel) – May alter the effects of certain medications by affecting liver enzymes.
- Red Clover (Rode Zonnehoed) – Can mimic the effects of estrogen and potentially interact with hormonal medications.
- St. John’s Wort (Sint-janskruid) – Known to interact with numerous medications, including antidepressants, birth control, and chemotherapy drugs.
- Valerian – Can enhance the effects of sedatives and cause excessive drowsiness.
To learn more about the potential dangers of these herbs, we recommend visiting the CBG’s official website. Always consult your healthcare provider before combining herbs and medications.
