Side Effects

Learn aboutLiquoriceSide Effects Licorice is likely safe for most people when taken by mouth in amounts found in foods. Licorice is possibly safe when taken by mouth in larger amounts for medicinal purposes and when applied to the skin for a short amount of time. However, it is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth in [...]

Learn AboutColtsfootSideEffects Coltsfoot is considered unsafe for anyone, but people with the following conditions should be especially careful about avoiding this plant.   Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Coltsfoot preparations containing hepatotoxic PAs might cause birth defects and liver damage. It is not known whether coltsfoot preparations that are free of these chemicals [...]

Learn AboutValerian RootSide Effects Valerian is likely safe for most people when used in medicinal amounts short-term. Clinical studies have reported safe use of valerian for medicinal purposes in over 12,000 people in trials lasting up to 28 days. The safety of long-term use is unknown. Some information suggests that valerian might also be safe [...]

Learn AboutGreat MulleinSide Effects Great mullein is possibly safe for when applied to the ear, short-term. A specific product (Otikon Otic Solution, Healthy-On Ltd.) that contains mullein, garlic, calendula, and St. John’s wort has been used in the ear for up to 3 days.   Special Precautions & Warnings: Children: Mullein is possibly safe when [...]

Learn aboutMarshmallowSide Effects     Marshmallow is likely safe for most people when taken by mouth. In some people, it might cause low blood sugar levels. Marshmallow is possibly safe when applied directly to the skin. Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of marshmallow during pregnancy and [...]

Learn AboutPurple ConeflowerSide Effects Echinacea is likely safe for most people when taken by mouth in the short-term. Various liquid and solid forms of Echinacea have been used safely for up to 10 days. There are also some products, such as Echinaforce (A. Vogel Bioforce AG, Switzerland) that have been used safely for up to 6 months. [...]

Learn AboutBlack CuminSide Effects Black seed, when taken by mouth in small quantities, such as a flavoring for foods, is likely safe for most people. Black seed oil and black seed extract are possibly safe when medical amounts are used short-term. There is not enough information to know if larger, medicinal quantities are safe. Black seed can [...]

Learn AboutRose BudsSide Effects Specific: No known precautions. Special Precautions & Warnings: We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing or on any medications.

Learn AboutTribulusSide Effects Tribulus supplements are possibly safe for most people when taken by mouth for a short period of time. They have been used safely in research studies lasting up to 8 weeks. The long-term safety of puncture vine is unknown. Eat the spine-covered fruit of tribulus is likely safe. There has been a [...]

Learn AboutDandelionSide Effects Dandelion is likely safe for most people when used in the amounts commonly found in food. It is possibly safe when used in medicinal amounts (larger amounts than those found in food). Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of dandelion during pregnancy and breast-feeding. [...]

Learn AboutMallowSide Effects There is not enough reliable information available about mallow to know if it is safe to use. Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of mallow during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. (Source: www.webmd.com)

Learn AboutHyssopSide Effects Hyssop is considered safe for most people in the amounts commonly found in foods and in medicinal amounts. However, do not use the oil product because it has caused seizures in some people. Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is unsafe to use hyssop during pregnancy because it might cause [...]

Learn AboutSaffronSide Effects Saffron is possibly safe for most people when taken by mouth as a medicine for up to 6 weeks. Some possible side effects include dry mouth, anxiety, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, change in appetite and headache. Allergic reactions can occur in some people. Taking large amounts of saffron by mouth is possibly unsafe. [...]

Learn AboutLavenderSide Effects Lavender is likely safe for most adults in food amounts. It is possibly safe when taken by mouth, applied to the skin or inhaled in medicinal amounts. When taken by mouth, lavender can cause constipation, headache and increased appetite. When applied to the skin, lavender can sometimes cause irritation. Special Precautions & [...]

Learn AboutRose hipsSide Effects Rose hip is likely safe for adults when taken by mouth appropriately. Rose hip is possibly safe when applied to the skin appropriately for short-term. Rose hip can cause some side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, stomach cramps, fatigue, headache, inability to sleep and others. Inhaling rose hip [...]

Learn AboutBlueberriesSide Effects Blueberry fruit is likely safe for most people when consumed in food amounts. There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking blueberry leaf by mouth. It is best to avoid taking leaves. Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Blueberry fruit is likely safe when used in amounts commonly [...]

Learn AboutOlive Tree LeavesSide Effects None well documented. Supervise patients with diabetes carefully, because of potential hypoglycemic effects.

Learn AboutWild Thyme from Lemnos IslandSide Effects Thyme is safe in the amounts used in foods and seems safe for most adults when used as medicine. Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of wild thyme during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. [...]

Side EffectsCistus / Rock RoseSide Effects There is not enough information to know if rock rose is safe or what the possible side effects might be. Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of rock rose during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. [...]

Learn AboutFennelSide Effects Fennel is likely safe when taken by mouth in the amounts commonly found in food. For the most part, there is not enough evidence to know whether it is safe for adults when used in medicinal amounts. Some people can have allergic skin reactions to fennel. People who are allergic to plants [...]

Learn AboutTurmericSide Effects Turmeric is likely safe when taken by mouth or applied to the skin appropriately for up to 8 months. Turmeric usually does not cause significant side effects; however, some people can experience stomach upset, nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea. In one report, a person who took very high amounts of turmeric, over 1500 [...]

Learn AboutDillSide Effects Dill is likely safe when consumed as a food. Dill is possibly safe for most people when taken by mouth as a medicine. When applied to the skin, dill can sometimes cause skin irritation. Fresh dill juice can also cause the skin to become extra sensitive to the sun. This might put [...]

Learn AboutOlympus Mountain TeaSide Effects There is not enough information to know if mountain tea is safe or what the possible side effects might be. Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of mountain tea during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. Low blood [...]

Learn AboutMastic GumSide Effects Mastic is possibly safe for most people when taken appropriately by mouth. Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking mastic if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. Allergy to Schinus Terebinth Folious and [...]

Learn AboutHypericum OilSide Effects As for St. John’s Wort... plus It should be considered that people with high blood pressure should avoid using it. St John’s wort is likely safe when taken by mouth for up to 12 weeks. Some evidence suggests it can be used safely for over one year. It can cause some side [...]

Learn AboutYarrowSide Effects Yarrow is likely safe when taken by mouth in the amounts commonly found in food. However, yarrow products that contain thujone might not be safe. Yarrow is possibly safe when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts. In some people, yarrow might cause drowsiness and increase urination when taken by mouth. When it [...]

Learn AboutFenugreekSide Effects Fenugreek is likely safe for people when taken by mouth in amounts normally found in foods. It is possibly safe when taken in amounts used for medicinal purposes (amounts larger than normally found in food) for up to 6 months. Side effects include diarrhea, stomach upset, bloating, gas and a “maple syrup” [...]

Learn AboutMilk Thistle SeedsSide Effects Milk thistle is likely safe when taken by mouth for most adults. Milk thistle sometimes causes a laxative effect. Other less common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, intestinal gas, bloating, fullness or pain and loss of appetite. Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about [...]

Learn AboutCapersSide Effects Capers are likely safe for most people when eaten as a food. There is not enough information available to know if capers are safe in medicinal doses. Capers can cause skin rash and irritation. Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Capers are likely safe when eaten as food, but there is [...]

Learn AboutSea buckthornSide Effects Sea buckthorn fruit is likely safe when consumed as food. Sea buckthorn fruit is used in jams, pies, drinks and other foods. Sea buckthorn fruit is possibly safe when taken by mouth or used on the skin as a medicine. It has been safely used in scientific studies lasting up to [...]

Learn AboutSummer SavorySide Effects Summer savory is likely safe in food amounts. It is possibly safe for most people when taken by mouth in usual medicinal amounts or when the oil is diluted before putting on the skin. Summer savory can cause skin problems. The concentrated, undiluted oil is very irritating and should not be [...]

Learn AboutPennyroyalSide Effects Not enough is known about the safety of using pennyroyal leaf as a tea. Special Precautions & Warnings: Pennyroyal is likely unsafe for anyone to use, but it is especially unsafe for children and people with the following conditions. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, it is likely unsafe [...]

Learn AboutHibiscusSide Effects Hibiscus is likely safe for most people when consumed in food amounts. It is possibly safe when taken by mouth appropriately and in medicinal amounts. The possible side effects of hibiscus are not known. Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Hibiscus is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth during pregnancy. There [...]

Learn AboutSweet CloverSide Effects Sweet clover seems to be safe for most people when used appropriately. But, it can cause liver damage and bleeding problems when used in large amounts. Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of sweet clover during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Even though one small [...]

Learn AboutLemon VerbenaSide Effects Lemon verbena is safe for most people when consumed in amounts found in alcoholic beverages. It also seems to be safe when taken in appropriate amounts as a medicine. It can cause skin irritation (dermatitis) in some people. Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the [...]

Learn AboutOlive OilSide Effects Olive oil is likely safe when taken appropriately by mouth or applied to the skin. Olive oil can be used safely as 14% of total daily calories. This is about 2 tablespoons (28 grams) daily. Up to 1 liter per week of extra-virgin olive oil has been used safely as part [...]

Learn AboutCalendulaSide Effects Preparations of calendula flower are likely safe for most people when taken by mouth or applied to the skin. Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Do not take calendula by mouth if you are pregnant. It is likely unsafe. There is a concern that it might cause a miscarriage. It is [...]

Learn AboutCardamomSide Effects Cardamom is likely safe for most people when taken by mouth, but the potential side effects of cardamom are not known. Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking cardamom in medicinal amounts if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the [...]

Learn AboutDittany of CreteSide Effects There is not enough information to show if dittany is safe or not. However, some side effects are known. For example, dittany can increase the risk of sunburn if it comes in contact with the skin. Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use [...]

Learn AboutStar AniseSide Effects Star anise is likely safe when used as a flavoring in foods. There is not enough information to know if it is safe for use as a medicine. Some ingredients can cause skin problems including swelling, scaling and blisters when applied to the skin. Be sure you are using Chinese star [...]

Learn AboutLemon BalmSide Effects Lemon balm is likely safe when used in food amounts. It is possibly safe in adults when used in medicinal amounts for a short-term. It has been used safely in research for up to four months. Not enough is known about the safety of lemon balm when used long-term. Some information [...]

Learn AboutCuminSide Effects Cumin is likely safe when taken by mouth in food amounts and possibly safe when taken by mouth in appropriate medicinal amounts. The side effects of cumin are not known. Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking cumin if you are [...]

Learn AboutCorianderSide Effects Coriander is likely safe in food amounts and possibly safe for most people when taken by mouth in appropriate medicinal amounts. Coriander can cause some side effects, including allergic reactions and increased sensitivity to the sun. Increased sensitivity to the sun might put you at greater risk for sunburns and skin cancer. [...]

Learn AboutWormwoodSide Effects Wormwood is likely safe when taken by mouth in the amounts commonly found in food and beverages including bitters and vermouth, as long as these products are thujone-free. Wormwood that contains thujone is possibly unsafe when it is taken by mouth. Thujone can cause seizures, muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), kidney failure, restlessness, difficulty [...]

Learn AboutCinnamonSide Effects Cassia cinnamon is likely safe when used in amounts commonly found in foods and when taken by mouth in medicinal doses. Cassia cinnamon is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth in large amounts for a long period of time. Taking large amounts of cassia cinnamon might cause side effects in some people. Cassia cinnamon can [...]

Learn AboutThymeSide Effects Thyme is safe in the amounts used in foods and seems safe for most adults when used as medicine. Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of wild thyme during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. Thyroid disorders: Thyme can [...]

Learn AboutSt. John's WortSide Effects St John’s wort is likely safe when taken by mouth for up to 12 weeks. Some evidence suggests it can be used safely for over one year. It can cause some side effects such as trouble sleeping, vivid dreams, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, stomach upset, fatigue, dry mouth, dizziness, headache, skin rash, [...]

Learn AboutSpearmintSide Effects Spearmint and spearmint oil are likely safe when eaten in amount commonly found in food. Spearmint is possibly safe when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts or when applied to the skin.   Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Spearmint is possibly safe when used in excessive amounts during pregnancy. Excessive use of spearmint [...]

Learn AboutSageSide Effects There is not enough information to know if sage is safe or what the possible side effects might be.   Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of sage during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. (Source: www.webmd.com)

Learn AboutRosemarySide Effects Rosemary is likely safe when consumed in amounts found in foods. Rosemary is possibly safe for most people when used as a medicine when taken by mouth, applied to the skin or inhaled as aromatherapy. However, the undiluted oil is likely unsafe to take by mouth. Taking large amounts of rosemary can cause vomiting, uterine bleeding, kidney [...]

Learn AboutOreganoSide Effects Oregano leaf is likely safe when taken in the amounts found in food and possibly safe when taken by mouth or applied to the skin in medicinal amounts. Mild side effects include stomach upset. Oregano might also cause an allergic reaction in people who have an allergy to plants in the Lamiaceae family. Not [...]

Learn AboutNutmegSide Effects Nutmeg is possibly safe when taken by mouth and used appropriately. Nutmeg is a commonly used spice in foods. It is possibly unsafe to take nutmeg in doses larger than amounts found in foods and for long periods of time. Long-term use of nutmeg in doses of 120 mg or more daily has been linked [...]

Learn AboutNettleSide Effects Stinging nettle is possibly safe when taken by mouth for up to 2 years or when applied to the skin appropriately. However, it might cause stomach complaints and sweating. Touching the stinging nettle plant can cause skin irritation. Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Stinging nettle is likely unsafe to take during pregnancy. [...]

Learn AboutMountain TeaSide Effects There is not enough information to know if mountain tea is safe or what the possible side effects might be. Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of mountain tea during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. Low blood pressure: [...]

Learn AboutMarjoramSide Effects Marjoram is likely safe in food amounts and possibly safe for most adults when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts for short periods of time. Marjoram is possibly unsafe when used long-term or when applied to the eye or skin as fresh marjoram. There is some evidence that marjoram could cause cancer [...]

Learn AboutLinden TisaneSide Effects Linden might be safe when taken by mouth. When used on the skin, linden might cause itching. Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of linden during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. Heart disease: Frequent use of linden [...]

Learn AboutLaurelSide Effects Bay leaf and bay leaf oil is likely safe for most people in food amounts. Ground bay leaf is possibly safe when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts, short-term. But, if you cook with whole bay leaf, be sure to remove it before eating the food. Taking the whole, intact leaf by mouth is [...]

Learn AboutCloveSide Effects Clove seems likely safe for most people when taken by mouth in food amounts. Not enough is known about the safety of taking clove by mouth in larger medicinal amounts. Clove oil or cream containing clove flower is possibly safe when applied to the skin. However, frequent and repeated application of clove oil in [...]

Learn AboutChamomileSide Effects Roman chamomile seems safe for most people when taken by mouth as medicine and in foods. In large amounts, it can cause vomiting. It can also cause an allergic reaction in people sensitive to ragweed, marigolds, daisies or similar herbs. The essential oil of Roman chamomile also seems to be safe when [...]

Learn AboutChili FlakesSide Effects Capsicum - Medicinal lotions and creams that contain capsicum extract are likely safe for most adults when applied to the skin. The active chemical in capsicum, capsaicin, is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an over-the-counter product. That is, it can be sold without a prescription. Side effects [...]

Learn AboutBasilSide Effects Basil is possibly safe when used by mouth for short periods of time, up to six weeks. It is not known if long-term use is safe. Special Precautions & Warnings: Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of basil during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid [...]