Aloe vera – Flush burns with cold water before applying herbal remedies. Serious burns require medical attention. (For external use on minor burns).
Angelica
Angelica is not to be used if pregnant. Angelica may cause a rash in those exposed to sun.
Apple malus communis
Avoid eating Apple malus communis seeds of any apple as they contain high levels of the powerful poison cyanide.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is not to be used if pregnant.
Herbs
Special Precautions
B
Balm
Balm can interfere with a thyroid-stimulating hormone. If you have a thyroid problem, consult your physician before using it.
Barberry
Barberry is not to be used if pregnant.
Bayberry
Bayberry can alter the body's potassium/sodium balance. If you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or kidney disease, consult your physician before using it.
Black haw
Black haw contains salicin, a close chemical relative of aspirin.
Black cohosh
Black cohosh is not to be used if pregnant. Women with heart disease should consult their physician before using black cohosh; it can depress the heart rate. Black Cohosh overdose may cause dizziness, light-headedness, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, visual dimness, headache, tremors, joint pains, and depressed heart rate.
Black walnut
Black walnut is not for long term use.
Bladderwrack
Bladderwrack is not to be used if pregnant.
Blessed thistle
Blessed thistle is not to be used if pregnant.
Blue cohosh
Blue cohosh is not to be used if pregnant. No one with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, glaucoma, or a history of stroke should use blue cohosh.
Do not take Cabbage when thyroid disease is present due to small amounts of an Isothiocyanate.
Cascara Sagrada
Cascara Sagrada may cause severe intestinal cramps.
Catnip
Catnip is not to be used if pregnant.
Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper is a natural blood thinner – do not take before surgery! Test before using cayenne on skin. Can damage contact lens and the eye.
Celery
Long-term use of celery can deplete potassium stores.
Centaury
Centaury is useful over pain of muscular rheumatism.
Chaste tree
Chaste tree is not to be used if pregnant.
Cocoa
Cocoa contains caffeine, which can cause insomnia and possible addiction.
Coffee
Coffee contains caffeine, which can cause insomnia and possible addiction.
Coltsfoot
Coltsfoot is not to be used if pregnant.
Comfrey
Comfrey Root and leaves usually wild crafted, note do not confuse with foxglove leaves.
Herbs
Special Precautions
D
Dandelion
Long-term use of dandelion may deplete potassium stores. Dandelion Flower and root will help with too much time in front of a computer screen.
Dong quai
Dong quai is not to be used if pregnant.
Herbs
Special Precautions
E
Elecampane
Elecampane is not to be used if pregnant.
Ephedra
Ephedra can elevate blood pressure. It should not be used by people with high blood pressure.
Herbs
Special Precautions
F
Fenugreek
Fenugreek has some estrogenic action., Women who have been advised not to take the Pill or who have a history of breast cancer should consult their physician before using it.
Herbs
Special Precautions
G
Glucosamine
Glucosamine do not use if allergic to shellfish.
Goldenseal
Goldenseal is not to be used if pregnant.
Greater Celandine
Greater Celandine the whole plant is toxic, containing a range of alkaloids, such as Chelerythrine; it may also cause contact dermatitis, particularly the latex. Use in moderation and for limited time periods.
Guar gum
Guar gum is use with at least 8 oz. of water.
Herbs
Special Precautions
H
Horehound
Horehound is not to be used if pregnant.
Horny goat
Horny goat is not for long term use.
Horsetails
Long-term use of horsetail may deplete potassium stores.
Hydrangea
Hydrangea is not for long term use.
Herbs
Special Precautions
I
Herbs
Special Precautions
J
Juniper
Juniper is not to be used if pregnant nor for long term use. Long-term use of Juniper may deplete potassium stores.
Herbs
Special Precautions
K
Kola
Kola contains caffeine, which can cause insomnia and possible addiction.
Kola nut
Kola nut is not for long term use.
Herbs
Special Precautions
L
Lemon grass
Lemon grass is not to be used if pregnant.
Licorice
Licorice is not to be used if pregnant nor for long term use. Long-term use of large amounts of licorice may cause water retention, elevated blood pressure, headache, and hormone imbalance (pseudoaldosteronism).
Lobelia
Lobelia is not to be used if pregnant.
Lycii
Lycii is not to be used if pregnant.
Herbs
Special Precautions
M
Mandrake
Mandrake – Consult health practitioner before use.
Mate'
Mate' contains caffeine, which can cause insomnia and possible addiction.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe can slow the heart rate and affect pressure. If you have heart disease, consult your physician before using it.
Motherwort
Motherwort is not to be used if pregnant.
Mugwort
Mugwort is not to be used if pregnant.
Myrrh
Myrrh is not to be used if pregnant.
Herbs
Special Precautions
N
Nettle
Long-term use of nettle can deplete potassium stores.
Herbs
Special Precautions
O
Oregon grape
Oregon grape is not to be used if pregnant.
Herbs
Special Precautions
P
Parsley
Long-term use of parsley can deplete potassium stores.
Parsley root
Parsley root is not to be used if pregnant.
Peach
Peach is not to be used if pregnant.
Pennyroyal
Pennyroyal is not to be used if pregnant. Pennyroyal oil is poisonous. Do not ingest.
Pleurisy
Pleurisy is not to be used if pregnant.
Prickly ash
Prickly ash is not to be used if pregnant.
Psyllium
Psyllium is to be used with at least 8 oz of water.
Herbs
Special Precautions
Q
Queen of the meadow
Queen of the meadow is not to be used if pregnant.
Herbs
Special Precautions
R
Red clover
Red clover is not to be used if pregnant. Red clover all has some estrogenic action. Women who have been advised not to take the Pill or who have a history of breast cancer should consult their physician before using these herbs.
Rhubarb
Rhubarb may cause severe intestinal cramps.
Herbs
Special Precautions
S
Safflower
Safflower is not to be used if pregnant.
Savory
Savory is especially good for children because it's so mild.
Senna
Senna is not to be used if pregnant. Senna may cause severe intestinal cramps.
Shepherd's purse
Shepherd's purse is not to be used if pregnant. Shepherd's purse can cause powerful uterine contractions. Shepherd's purse is used to induce labor requires medical supervision.
Spikenard
Spikenard is not to be used if pregnant.
St. John's wort
St. John's wort acts like an MAO-inhibitor, a class of drugs that interact with a number of foods and other drugs.
Herbs
Special Precautions
T
Tansy
Tansy is not to be used if pregnant.
Tea (Black)
Tea (Black) contains caffeine, which can cause insomnia and possible addiction.
Herbs
Special Precautions
U
Uva ursi
Uva ursi is not to be used if pregnant. Long-term use of uva ursi can deplete potassium stores.
Herbs
Special Precautions
V
Vervain
Vervain can depress the heart rate and constrict bronchial passages. If you have heart disease or asthma, consult your physician before using it. Long-term use of vervain may deplete potassium stores.
Herbs
Special Precautions
W
Wild cherry
Wild cherry is not for long term use. The leaves of wild cherry are poisonous when wilted because of the prussic acid contained in them. The seeds and bark are also poisonous, although the bark may be used medicinally if dried properly. Do not boil wild cherry bark.
Wormwood
Wormwood is not to be used if pregnant.
Herbs
Special Precautions
X
Herbs
Special Precautions
Y
Yarrow
Herbs
Special Precautions
Z
—References— “Advanced Treatise in Herbology” by – Edward E. Shook, N.D., D.C. Copyright by Wendell W. Whitman 302 E. Winona Avenue, Warsaw, IN 46580.