A P P E N D I X F
Complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies
967
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TABLE F Complementary and alternative therapies (continued)
Substance
Reported uses and possible risks
sage
Oral: lowers blood pressure; lowers blood glucose
Advise caution with
oral hypoglycaemic agents
,
anticonvulsants
,
alcohol
SAM-e (AdoMet)
Oral: promotion of general wellbeing and health
May cause frequent gastrointestinal complaints and headache; risk of serotonin syndrome with
antidepressants
sarsaparilla
Oral: treatment of skin disorders, rheumatism
Advise caution with
anticonvulsants
sassafras
Topical: treatment of local pain, skin eruptions
Oral: enhancement of athletic performance, “cure” for syphilis
Oil may be toxic to fetus, children and adults when ingested; interacts with many drugs
saw palmetto
Oral: treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia
Warn against use with oestrogen-replacement or hormonal contraceptives—may greatly increase
adverse effects; may decrease iron absorption; advise against use with
finasteride
; toxicity could
occur
schisandra
Oral: health tonic, liver protectant; adjunct in cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy
Warn against use during pregnancy; causes uterine stimulation; advise caution with all
drugs
metabolised in the liver
squaw vine
Oral: diuretic, tonic, aid in labour and childbirth, treatment of menstrual problems
May cause liver toxicity; increased toxicity of
digoxin
; disulfiram-like reaction with
alcohol
St John’s wort
Oral: treatment of depression, PMS symptoms; antiviral
Topical: to treat puncture wounds, insect bites, crushed fingers or toes
Discourage tyramine-containing foods; hypertensive crisis is possible; thrombocytopenia has
been reported; can increase sensitivity to light; advise against taking with drugs that cause
photosensitivity
; severe photosensitivity can occur in light-skinned people; serious interactions
have been reported with
SSRIs
,
MAO inhibitors
,
kava
,
digoxin
,
theophylline
,
AIDS antiviral
drugs
,
sympathomimetics
,
antineoplastics
,
hormonal contraceptives
; advise against these
combinations
sweet violet
flowers
Oral: treatment of respiratory disorders; emetic
Increases effects of
laxatives
tarragon
Oral: weight loss; prevents cancer; lowers blood glucose
Advise caution with
oral hypoglycaemic agents
tea tree oil
Topical: antifungal, antibacterial; used to treat burns, insect bites, irritated skin, acne; used as a
mouthwash
thyme
Topical: as liniment, gargle; to treat wounds
Oral: antidiarrhoeal, relief of bronchitis, laryngitis
May increase sensitivity to light; warn against combining with
photosensitivity-causing drugs
;
also warn against combining with
MAO inhibitors
,
SSRIs
; may cause serious adverse effects
valerian
Oral: sedative and hypnotic; reduces anxiety, relaxes muscles
Can cause severe liver damage; warn against use with
barbiturates
,
alcohol
,
CNS depressants
or
antihistamines
; can cause serious sedation
went rice
Oral: cholesterol- and triglyceride-lowering effects
Warn against use in pregnancy, liver disease, alcoholism, acute infection
white willow bark
Oral: treatment of fevers
Advise caution with
anticoagulants
,
NSAIDs
,
diuretics
xuan shen
Oral: lowers blood glucose; slows heart rate; treatment of heart failure
Advise caution when taken with
oral hypoglycaemic agents
Oral: treatment of erectile dysfunction
Can affect blood pressure; CNS stimulant; has cardiac effects; manic episodes have been reported
in individuals with psychiatric conditions; warn against use with
SSRIs
,
tyramine-containing
foods
; advise caution with
tricyclic antidepressants
From McKenna, L. & Mirkov, S. (2014). McKenna’s Drug Handbook for Nursing and Midwifery (7th edn). Sydney: Lippincott Williams &Wilkins.
