A P P E N D I X F
Complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies
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TABLE F Complementary and alternative therapies (continued)
Substance
Reported uses and possible risks
ginkgo
Oral: vascular dilation; increases blood flow to the brain, improving cognitive function; used in
treating Alzheimer’s disease; antioxidant
Can inhibit blood clotting; seizures reported with high doses; warn against use with
anticoagulants
,
aspirin
or
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
; can interact with
phenytoin
,
carbamazepine
,
phenobarbitone
,
tricyclic antidepressants
,
MAO inhibitors
and
oral
hypoglycaemic agents
; advise caution
ginseng
Oral: aphrodisiac, mood elevator, tonic; antihypertensive; decreases cholesterol levels; lowers
blood glucose; adjunct in cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy
May cause irritability if combined with
caffeine
; inhibits clotting; warn against use with
anticoagulants
,
aspirin
,
NSAIDs
; warn against use for longer than 3 months; may cause
headaches, manic episodes if used with
phenelzine
,
MAO inhibitors
; may interfere with additive
effects of
oestrogens
and
corticosteroids
; may also interfere with cardiac effects of
digoxin
;
monitor person closely if he or she takes these drugs or an
antidiabetic drug
glucosamine
Oral: treatment of osteoarthritis and joint diseases, usually combined with chondroitin
Monitor glucose levels in individuals with diabetes
goldenrod leaves
Oral: treatment of renal disease, rheumatism, sore throat, eczema
May decrease effects of
diuretics
by increasing sodium retention; advise caution if the individual
has a history of allergies
goldenseal
Oral: lowers blood glucose, aids healing; treatment of bronchitis, colds, flu-like symptoms, cystitis
May cause false-negative test results in those who use such drugs as marijuana and cocaine; large
amounts may cause paralysis; affects blood clotting; warn against use with
anticoagulants
; may
interfere with
antihypertensives
,
acid blockers
,
barbiturates
; may increase effects of
sedatives
;
death can result from overdose
gotu kola
Topical: chronic venous insufficiency
Warn against using with
oral hypoglycaemic agents
,
cholesterol-lowering drugs
,
sedatives
grape seed extract
Oral: treatment of allergies, asthma; improves circulation; decreases platelet aggregation
Advise caution with
oral anticoagulants
; may increase bleeding
green tea leaf
Oral: antioxidant, to prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease, to increase cognitive function
(caffeine effects)
Advise caution with
oral anticoagulants
; may increase bleeding; may increase blood pressure;
caution against using with milk
guarana
Oral: decreases appetite, promotes weight loss
Advise caution; increases blood pressure, risk of cardiovascular events
guayusa
Oral: lowers blood glucose; promotes weight loss
Advise caution with
antihypertensives
; decreases absorption of
iron
; may decrease clearance of
lithium
hawthorn
Oral: treatment of angina, arrhythmias, blood pressure problems; decreases cholesterol
Advise caution with
digoxin
,
ACE inhibitors
,
central nervous system (CNS) depressants
; may
potentiate effects
hop
Oral: sedative; aids healing; alters blood glucose
Discourage use with
CNS depressants
,
antipsychotics
horehound
Oral: expectorant; treatment of respiratory problems, gastrointestinal disorders
Use caution with
oral hypoglycaemic agents
,
antihypertensives
horse chestnut
seed
Oral: treatment of varicose veins, haemorrhoids
Advise caution with oral
anticoagulants
; may increase bleeding
hyssop
Topical: treatment of cold sores, genital herpes, burns, wounds
Oral: treatment of coughs, colds, indigestion, flatulence
Warn against use by pregnant women and those with seizures; toxic in children and pets
jambul
Oral: treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery; lowers blood glucose
Use caution with
CNS depressants
Java plum
Oral: treatment of diabetes mellitus
Advise caution with
oral hypoglycaemic agents
jojoba
Topical: promotion of hair growth, relief of skin problems
Toxic if ingested
juniper berries
Oral: increases appetite, aids digestion; diuretic; urinary tract disinfectant; lowers blood glucose
level
Advise caution when taken with
oral hypoglycaemic agents
; not for use in pregnancy
kava
Oral: treatment of nervous anxiety, stress, restlessness; tranquilliser
Warn against use with
alprazolam
; may cause coma; advise against use with Parkinson’s disease
or history of stroke; discourage use with
St John’s wort
,
anxiolytics
,
alcohol
; risk of serious liver
toxicity
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