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A P P E N D I X F
Complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies
■■
TABLE F Complementary and alternative therapies (continued)
Substance
Reported uses and possible risks
chong cao fungi
Oral: antioxidant; promotes stamina, sexual function
Discourage use by children
Coleus forskohlii
Oral: treatment of asthma, hypertension, eczema
Urge caution when taken with
antihypertensives
or
antihistamines
; severe additive effects can
occur; discourage use if individual has hypotension or peptic ulcer
comfrey
Topical: treatment of wounds, cuts, ulcers
Oral: gargle for tonsillitis
Warn against using with
eucalyptus
; monitor liver function
coriander
Oral: weight loss, lowers blood glucose
Advise caution when taken with
oral hypoglycaemic agents
creatine
monohydrate
Oral: enhancement of athletic performance
Warn against using with
insulin
; do not use with caffeine
dandelion root
Oral: treatment of liver and kidney problems; decreases breastfeeding (after delivery or with
weaning); lowers blood glucose
Advise caution when taken with
oral hypoglycaemic agents
,
antihypertensives
and
quinolone
antibiotics
DHEA (dehydro-
epiandrosterone)
Oral: slows ageing, improves vigour (“Fountain of Youth”); androgenic side effects
Risk of interactions with
alprazolam
,
calcium channel blockers
and
oral hypoglycaemic agents
;
screen individuals older than 40 years for hormonally sensitive cancers before use
di huang
Oral: treatment of diabetes mellitus
Risk of hypoglycaemia with
oral hypoglycaemic agents
dried root bark of
Lycium chinense
Mill
Oral: lowers cholesterol, lowers blood glucose
Advise caution with
oral hypoglycaemic agents
echinacea (cone
flower)
Oral: treatment of colds, flu; stimulates the immune system, attacks viruses; causes
immunosuppression if used long term
May be liver toxic; discourage use longer than 12 weeks; caution against taking with
liver-toxic
drugs
or
immunosuppressants
; discourage use with
antifungals
; serious liver injury could occur;
advise against use by individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus, tuberculosis, AIDS
elder bark and
flowers
Topical: gargle for tonsillitis, pharyngitis
Oral: treatment of fever, chills
ephedra (ma
huang)
Oral: increases energy, relieves fatigue
May cause serious complications, including death; increased risk of hypertension, stroke,
myocardial infarction; interacts with many drugs;
banned import into Australia
ergot
Oral: treatment of migraine headaches, treatment of menstrual problems, haemorrhage
Monitor individuals who take ergot with
antihypertensives
eucalyptus
Topical: treatment of wounds
Oral: decreases respiratory secretions, suppresses cough
Warn against using with
comfrey
; very toxic in children
evening primrose Oral: treatment of PMS, menopause, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetic neuropathy
Discourage use with
phenothiazines
,
antidepressants
—increases risk of seizures; discourage use
by those with epilepsy, schizophrenia
false unicorn root
Oral: treatment of menstrual and uterine problems
Advise against use during pregnancy and breastfeeding
fennel
Oral: treatment of colic, gout, flatulence; enhances breastfeeding
Significantly decreases levels of
ciprofloxacin
fenugreek
Oral: lowers cholesterol level; reduces blood glucose; aids in healing
Advise caution when taken with
oral hypoglycaemic agents
,
anticoagulants
feverfew
Oral: treatment of arthritis, fever, migraine
Advise caution when taken with
anticoagulants
; may increase bleeding; discourage use before or
immediately after surgery because of bleeding risk
fish oil
Oral: treatment of coronary diseases, arthritis, colitis, depression, aggression, attention-deficit
disorder
gamboge
Oral: appetite suppressant, lowers cholesterol, promotes weight loss
Oral use may be unsafe; discourage use
garlic
Oral: treatment of colds; diuretic; prevention of coronary artery disease; intestinal antiseptic;
lowers blood glucose; anticoagulant effects; decreases blood pressure
Advise caution if person has diabetes or takes an
oral anticoagulant
; known to affect blood
clotting; anaemia reported with long-term use
ginger
Oral: treatment of nausea, motion sickness, postoperative nausea (may increase risk of
miscarriage)
Affects blood clotting; warn against use with
anticoagulants
